The Marist Women's Soccer Alumni, Friends and Family Newsletter

RED FOX WOMEN'S SOCCER SPRING SEASON START

The 2025 season kicks off by returning to and fostering the program's fundamentals on and off the field, as they deconstruct the previous culture and transition their style of play with the team's competitive shift. The traditional offseason prioritizes individual growth and development throughout the spring semester for our Marist University Women’s Soccer program. The start of the spring is set out with the NCAA 8 hour period. Off the ball training highlights have included, strength and conditioning with Coach Ben Fleet, individual practice film using Spiideo, our stadium camera system, and book club with the book Training Camp: What The Best Do Better Than Everyone Else by Jon Gordon. On the ball training highlights have included, technical Tuesdays, early morning goalkeeper sessions and futsal Friday competitions. While the team awaits the NCAA 20 hour period starting March 1st, as well as our five spring matches, these student-athletes compete all spring in three teams for the program's annual Fox Games to be the ultimate red fox spring team. Fox points are awarded throughout the semester from various activity, like fitness races, small sided games, goals, culture competitions like charades and so much more. The Red team has pulled ahead early taking the lead with the Grey team close on their tail and the White team trailing behind for now. Continue reading below for more details on our spring season, including our spring games schedule! This emphasis brings us back to our mission as a program.

Our Mission As A Program Is To Start With Family, Develop Leaders And Strive For Excellence On The Field, In The Classroom And In The Community With Pride, Preparation and Love.

Kristen reilly '19

In the realm of division 1 athletics, success often comes beyond the scoreboard. The journey as a student-athlete develops lifelong lessons, friends and fond memories. We had the pleasure of connecting with Marist Women’s Soccer alumna Kristen Reilly, Graduate Class of 2019, delving into her time at Marist and with a remarkable note of currently working as a Business and Commercial Attorney at DLA Piper in Manhattan, New York.

Kristen, originally from Mahopac New York, graduated from Marist in 2019 with her Bachelor's in Political Science and Government, as well as a Paralegal Certificate. Noting Marist as a hidden gem within the education system, she reflected on her time in school where she met her now fiancé who studied accounting with a music minor. Kristen stayed on campus in the dorms at Champagnat Hall, Upper West and was of the first student body to live in the Gartland dorms after they were rebuilt. Kristen noted appreciating having multiple classes with Dr.Eckert, currently teaching at Marist as an Associate Professor of Political Science, as well as enjoying classes with Annamaria Maciocia currently at Marist as a Senior Professional Lecturer of law and Director of The Paralegal Program. Traveling to London, the capital of England, Kristen participated in an attachment program that held class at Marist, but traveled for two weeks at the end of the semester. She was able to learn more about the history in the area and attended several Shakespeare based plays that aligned with the course. Marist University has the number 1 study abroad program in the nation and the ability to compete in high level athletics, as well as having the support to participate in study aboard programs is exceptional.

Kristen noted her and her team’s excitement of traveling to Florida at Disney for the MAAC Championships her junior year, as well as seeing Niagara Falls in her sophomore and senior year. One of her favorite memories stems from playing the University of Vermont and spending the day at teammate Annika Nielsen’s home for food and team bonding. Annika Nielsen graduated in 2021 with her studies in Biomedical Sciences.

Kristen expressed how sports, especially from the background in high level division 1 athletics, accelerates development in leadership skills, necessity for time management, personal professional avocation and collaboration. All these skills directly impacting her remarkable aptitude in her current field of work. She highlights these skills developments through moments, like college recruitment talking to college coaches, collegiate interviews as a player, balancing the demands of school and sports as a student-athlete and different styles of leaderships necessary like directing vs delegating. Also recognizing the importance of making relationships in networking within the niches of athletics and the Marist community.

Kristen’s affection and appreciation was evident as she spoke of her teammates, including recently attending the wedding of Brianna Robinson, Marist Women’s Soccer Graduate of 2018, as a maid of honor. Despite coaching turnovers, the teammates and friends that return with you each semester become your fondest memories and staying connected with each other and the Marist community can be incredibly wholesome. We are excited to follow you throughout the coming years, Kristen!

ONCE A RED FOX, ALWAYS A RED FOX!

Kathryn Andrews '12

Kathryn graduated from Marist in 2012 with her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Magna Cum Laude. She continued her education at the New England College of Optometry earning her Doctorate of Optometry. Dr.Kathryn Andrews is highly regarded in her field through participating as a member in multiple professional organizations, as well as through her recognition as 'Best Pediatric Optometrist' for 7 consecutive years in a row, 2018-2014, by the Lancaster Newspaper at Campus Eye Center. See the video below to learn more about Kathryn's passion in Optometry!

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

After maintaining the student-athletes throughout the fall and supporting the team at games, Marist Women’s Soccer has been privileged to work closely with Strength and Conditioning Coach Ben Fleet this spring. Coach Ben comes to Marist with valuable experience from coaching with programs at Syracuse University, Cornell University and Ithaca College. He brings fantastic energy and expertise to every session with well planned strength and conditioning development progressions. His attention to positional player needs and dedication to student-athlete development with strength and condition has made him a valuable asset to the Marist University Women’s Soccer program. The physicality demands for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the NCAA is ever growing. Working both at Tenney Stadium with SAQ (speed, agility and quickness) and in McCann at Lift, has been taken with excitement and pride by the young Marist Women’s Soccer student-athletes.

Training Camp: What The Best Do Better Than Everyone Else By Jon Gordon

Marist Women's Soccer begins this spring semester with a team book read weekly over the first six weeks. This program has previously read You Win In The Locker Room First by Jon Gordon and Mike Smith, The Carpenter by Jon Gordon and The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. The book Training Camp illustrates the importance and value to bring out the best in yourself. After these first six weeks, Marist Women's Soccer begins their WIE Series (What Impacts Excellence) for the rest of the semester. The WIE Series focuses on individual leadership and team culture to further develop the individual as the program pursues excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

Marist University Women's Soccer earns a Fall Semester GPA of 3.413

Marist University

Marist officially transitioned from Marist College to Marist University on January 29th of 2025. Marist Women’s Soccer was in attendance in the Dyson Center as the new Marist University logo was unveiled and celebrations began all across campus, the Marist community and the world. President Weinman communicated Marist’s new slogan of ‘And’ not ‘Or’ and the pride from the Marist community was felt in bounds! Marist, including our Women's Soccer program, looks to bring 'Marist to The World and The World to Marist' as we 'Strive To Do More'. Check out the video below of President Weinman reflecting on Marist's incredible milestone in becoming a University!