Fall sports have officially come to an end. The 2024 season offered mixed results for the men’s soccer, women’s soccer and field hockey teams. In case you missed the games, here is a rundown of how all three teams did.
Men’s Soccer
The second half of the men’s soccer season was much better than the first half as the team went from 8th place to 2nd place in the CAA conference. However, the team suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to UNCW on Nov. 10th in the CAA semifinals. It marks the team’s first loss at Vidas since Sept. 6, 2022. Overall, the Dragons had a great season where several players shined.
Overall record: 9-6-2, 5-2-1 in CAA conference
Player Spotlight:
Dominick Bachstein had a standout season, earning him Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week in early October. He finished his final collegiate season as one of the top goal-scorers in the nation. He ended with 30 points – the highest point performance by any Drexel player since 2002, when the team joined the conference.
Patrick Short completed his graduate season with five goals and 10 assists for 20 points across 15 matches and 1,221 minutes. He ended the season against Charleston, where he mastered a five-point performance with two goals and an assist. He was given CAA’s Co-Midfielder of the Year.
Colin Davis finished his season as a selected player for the All-CAA Second Team. In his 1,193 minutes of playing, he contributed two goals, an assist, but really shone in his defensive playing. He contributed to Drexel’s defense as they held opponents to 24 goals this season.
Gavin Carmichael was selected for the All-Rookie team after his successful rookie season, in which he played in 13 matches for a total of 1,174 minutes of playing time, as well as scored two goals (most notably the game winning goal in Drexel’s defeat of Temple 2-0).
Omar Jallow was also selected to play on the All-Rookie team. In his 722 minutes of play this season, he succeeded in scoring three goals and tallying one assist.
Women’s Soccer
The second half of the women’s soccer season was rough, as the team’s season ended with a loss to Stony Brook. For the 2024 season, Drexel came in 12th place in the CAA standings, and they missed the CAA tournament.
Overall record: 4-9-4, 2-5-3 in CAA conference
Player Spotlight: Jess Castornia was named Drexel Dragons of the Week after her game-winning goal at Hampton (2-1).
Women’s Field Hockey
Women’s Field Hockey had a very successful season, posting a nine-game winning streak and were a perfect 6-0 against CAA opponents. These key victories led them to be first in the CAA conference and ranked number 16 in a Nov. 10 NCAA poll. During this season, head coach Denise Zelenak earned her 300th career win as well as winning CAA Coach of the Year. Despite their success, the team lost to Monmouth 2-1 in the CAA semifinals.
Overall record: 14-5, 6-0 in CAA conference
Player Spotlight:
Valentine Van Hellemont won the CAA Player of the Year, the first player to do so since 2010. This follows her 2023 CAA Rookie Player of the Year award. She finished the regular season leading the team in goals and points, with 11 goals and 22 points.
Pien Elsen was awarded CAA Defensive Player of the Year, the first time a Dragon has won this award since 2009. Drexel defense was ranked first in the conference and 13th in the nation in goals, and Elsen was the leader behind this. She also shined offensively, scoring five goals and with five assists this season, Elsen was also named to the All-CAA First Team.
Alongside Van Hellemont and Elsen, graduate transfer student Anna Castaldo earned All-CAA First Team honors. She was second on the team in terms of goals (9) and ranks sixth in the conference in points (20).
Goalie Alana Poole earned recognition as All-CAA Second Team as well as All-CAA Rookie Team. Only a freshman, Poole is at the top of the CAA in win-loss percentage (third in the nation the nation), as well as goals against average (fourth in the nation).
Coach Denise Zelenak was named CAA Coach of the Year after leading the team to a perfect 6-0 season in CAA play and place as top seed in the CAA Championship. Overall, the team finished 14-4 during the regular season. Zelenak also reached her 300th career win and ranks in the top 10 D1 victories among coaches who are still active.