As the Aquinas Academy girls soccer team prepares for the 2026 season, Head Coach Matt Stalder knows the Crusaders will be a young team, making leadership and development especially important as the season gets underway. Entering his fourth season leading the program, Stalder will look to his returning players to provide that leadership after Aquinas graduated five seniors from last year’s team. Among those losses are All-WPIAL selection Elliot Keverline and goalkeeper Caitlyn Abbett, who is continuing her soccer career at Franciscan University. Replacing that experience will be a challenge, but Stalder believes the Crusaders have players ready to step into larger roles. Senior captain Lucy Keverline will be at the center of that effort. Stalder expects Aquinas to rely heavily on Keverline’s defensive presence and leadership, particularly with so many younger players taking on increased responsibilities. Junior captain Macy Thiel will join Keverline in leading the Crusaders. Thiel brings another experienced presence to a team that will need its returning players to help set the tone throughout the season. While Aquinas will be young, Stalder sees plenty of potential in the group. Sophomore Gabby Keverline is one of the younger players expected to make an impact this season, while Mary Grace Dolan and Alaina Howes are also players to watch as the Crusaders begin the 2026 campaign. Another major question entering the season will be in goal following Abbett’s graduation. Senior Aurora Predis will work into the goalkeeper position as Aquinas looks to replace the experience Abbett provided in net. For Stalder, the youth of this year’s roster also provides an opportunity. With Lucy Keverline anchoring the defense, Keverline and Thiel providing leadership as captains, and several younger players ready for expanded roles, the Crusaders will look to develop together as the season progresses. Losing five seniors - including an All-WPIAL selection and a goalkeeper now playing at the collegiate level — means this Aquinas team will look different from a year ago. It also creates an opportunity for a new group of Crusaders to establish themselves. With Stalder entering his fourth year leading the program, Aquinas is ready to see how quickly its young roster can develop and what the Crusaders can accomplish in 2026. WATCH: 2026 AQUINAS GIRLS SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW Head Coach Matt Stalder, senior captain Lucy Keverline and junior captain Macy Thiel sit down with Deacon Andrew Kurzawski of the Aquinas Academy Athletic Communications Department to discuss the upcoming season, the team’s young roster and what they are looking forward to in 2026. Watch the 2026 Aquinas Girls Soccer Season Preview: https://youtu.be/2vjmOPiIOxA Follow Aquinas Athletics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquinascrusaders/ Follow Aquinas Athletics on X: https://x.com/AquinasAD For the latest Aquinas Academy Athletics news, schedules, results and more, visit AquinasCrusaders.org.