The Rockhurst women's soccer teams kicks off the 2025 season on Friday against Fort Hays State at Bourke Field at 2 p.m. in the first official women's soccer match on the new Bourke Field turf.

The Hawks were 12-6-1 overall last season and finished tied for third in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a 10-3-1 record, hosting the first round of the 2024 GLVC Tournament. Heading into this season, Rockhurst was picked to finish fourth in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll.

Head women's soccer coach Greg Herdlick is entering his 27th season as the Hawks' coach. Rockhurst returns several starters that played significant minutes a season ago.

"Every season is independent of the previous one," Herdlick said. "However, for the players who were here last year and played in the first round, I hope it provided motivation to work hard over the offseason for hopefully another GLVC Tournament appearance this year."

Senior forward Anna Lantz is the Hawks' top returner. Lantz was the GLVC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-GLVC First Team. She also earned All-Region First Team honors from the D2CCA and the United Soccer Coaches.

Lantz was awarded the 2024 GLVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Women's Soccer and was named the CSC Academic Team Member of the Year. She topped the GLVC with 82 shots while ranking second in goals (13) and total points (32).

Senior midfielder Lizzo Rosenthal also returns after collecting All-GLVC Third Team honors. She started in 18 matches and scored 11 points on four goals (third on the team) and three assists (tied for fourth on the team).

Rockhurst returns three starting defenders from last year's team: junior Quinn Conroy, sophomore Kaitlyn Hobart and junior Sydney Schmidt. The returning midfielders will be junior Jacie Tottleben, sophomore Julia Witt, sophomore Lucy Molitor and redshirt sophomore Caitlyn Smith.

Rockhurst features a large group of newcomers in major roles after several players graduated from last year's team. Herdlick believes their growth will be a key to the season.

"Finding those replacements quickly will be vital for a quick start and a successful 2025 season," Herdlick said. "Every start to a season brings in new faces to our program and I'm excited to see how they grow individually and together with their teammates."

Newcomers Jenna Knight, Karsen Koehler, Lexi Matzke, Jaycee Schumann and Maya Wallace will play pivotal roles on offense, while Mia Martin will see action on defense.

The Hawks close out the first weekend with a road game at Missouri Southern on Sunday.