The University of San Francisco women's soccer team begins its 2018 season on Friday when it takes on Drake at the Montana Cup hosted by Montana.  Yesterday, we took a look at the Dons' attack, today we will preview the group charged with keeping the ball out of the Dons' net, the defenders and keepers.
 
At 8-10-2 the Dons had their second-best season in the last 10 years. A big reason for that was the play by the Dons when the ball was on their side of the field.  USF finished the year with 132 saves which ranked first in the WCC, however, the Dons were ninth in the conference last year in goals allowed, averaging 1.93 goals per game.
 
2018 promises to see better play in the back row as the Dons return a wealth of talent and welcome one of the deepest position classes in recent memory. 
 
This year, the Dons will bring back all four starters from last year's defense.  Even with Autumn Smithers moving to the midfield, USF still returns 4618 minutes played from its returning defenders, including Emily Pye, Cassidy Helenihi, Nicole Kelsey, and Cassidy Kaumeyer.  Kaumeyer and Kelsey played in all 20 games, and started 18 and 15 games respectively.
 
Joining that talented quartet are the newcomers: Cassidy George, Catherine Hill, Candace Hillegas, Marie Marlow, and Jaeden Tamayo. Hill graduated high school early and played with the Dons in the spring season. She was outstanding during that time, according to head coach Jim Millinder. He's equally excited about the other newcomers.
 
Between the pipes, the Dons return one of the program's elite keepers in junior Olivia Camera.  Last season, Camera finished first in the WCC in saves (127) and saves per game (6.35).
 
Camera played in all 1908 minutes and registered three clean sheets for the Dons.  In her two years on the Hilltop she already ranks in the top-10 in career saves.  Her 127 saves last season is second all-time in a single season. 
 
Even with the return of Camera, the Dons have plenty of competition at the keeper position.  Molly Eby did not see any action in her first year playing for the Dons.  The redshirt freshman did get plenty of action this spring while Camera sat out with a shoulder injury, giving Coach Millinder some options. 
 
The Dons kick of their 2018 campaign on Friday at 1:30 p.m. when they take on Drake at the Montana Cup.  USF makes its home debut on Sunday, Aug. 26 against Harvard.  Season tickets and single game tickets are available online at Dons Ticket Central.