Four players from the Saint Francis Red Wolves women's soccer team have been named to the PAC Women鈥檚 Soccer Players to Watch list as the team prepares for their season while transitioning to Division III. The team, under head coach Brian Diaz, continues to evolve despite not being eligible for the PAC Championship as they reclassify. Key returning players include Meredith Artz, Riley Cerqua, Mercedez Paino, and Caterina Schiavo, who have all made significant contributions in previous seasons.

By the Numbers
  • Meredith Artz started 18 games last season as a freshman.
  • Riley Cerqua also started 18 games and was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
  • Mercedez Paino appeared in 16 games and recorded her first assist during the previous season.
  • Caterina Schiavo played in 18 matches and also earned her first career assists last season.
State of Play
  • The Red Wolves are beginning preseason practice this week in Loretto.
  • The team will host scrimmages against University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg and Juniata College later this month.
  • Saint Francis will start its regular season against Carnegie Mellon University on Sept. 1.
What's Next

As the Red Wolves transition to Division III, their performance in the upcoming scrimmages will be crucial for setting the tone for the season. Players to watch will need to step up and leverage their experiences to adapt to the new competitive landscape.

Bottom Line

Keep an eye on the returning players鈥� development as they play key roles for a team navigating a challenging transition, with immediate opportunities to solidify their impact in the scrimmages and early games of the season.