Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
11/10/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - The Saint Mary's women's soccer team recently finished another historic campaign, recording its second consecutive double-digit win season while narrowly missing out on the inaugural West Coast Conference Tournament. Saint Mary's held one of the best defenses in the country all season long, setting a program record with eight consecutive shutouts to open the season, while breaking the program record for consecutive games unbeaten set in 2001 with a run of 16 matches unbeaten dating back to 2025.
The Gaels were well represented in the 2025 West Coast Conference All-Conference awards, with Molly Silva becoming the first Gael in program history to take home WCC Defensive Player of the Year, and Kate Plachy earning a share of WCC Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive season.
"KP and Molly have been defensive all-stars for us not just this season but throughout their SMC careers", said head coach Theresa Romagnolo. "They are a big reason we had one of the best defenses in the country. Not only are they incredible on the field, but they captained us this year and modeled everything our program is about; a competitive spirit, resilient mindset, and team unity. I could not have been more proud of the two of them as well as our entire team for their heart and resilience this season".
Plachy and Silva also represented Saint Mary's on the All-WCC First Team, while sophomore forward Ashlyn Vaughn was named to the Second Team with her team leading nine goals this season. Defender Anna Emperador and midfielder Maddie Lucas earned Honorable Mention selections, with Lucas earning Honorable Mention for the second consecutive season. Rounding out the honors for Saint Mary's was freshman midfielder Elizabeth Vega, earning a spot on the WCC All-Freshman Team to give the Gaels six total all-conference selections for the second consecutive season.
#1 Kate Plachy | GK | R-Jr. | Co-WCC Goalkeeper of the Year
After a career season in 2025 in which she became the second Gael in program history to win WCC Goalkeeper of the Year, redshirt junior Kate Plachy led Saint Mary's to one of the best defensive seasons in program history, becoming the first back-to-back WCC Goalkeeper of the Year winner in program history.
Plachy ranked top two in the WCC in shutouts (7), save percentage (0.818), and goals against average (.810), while tying the conference lead in wins (8) despite missing the first four matches of the season. She recorded four-plus saves in seven matches this season and 54 saves on the year to bring her collegiate total to 175 saves, putting her alone at sixth in program history. Plachy now ranks in the top three in program history in wins (26), shutouts (24.5), and goals against average, and has solidified herself as one of the best goalkeepers in West Coast Conference history by becoming one of four goalkeepers to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
#8 Molly Silva | D | Sr. | WCC Defensive Player of the Year
Coming into her senior campaign with just one goal in three collegiate seasons, senior defender Molly Silva added to her defensive prowess with a breakout offensive campaign for Saint Mary's. Silva ranked in the top three in goals (3) and shots (21) for the Gaels, while leading the team with an astounding 1,692 minutes played for fifth most in program history.
Along with her team leading 17 90-minute matches this season, Silva was one of four players to start every match this year for the Gaels. Silva's first goal of the season came in a crucial 2-0 victory at San Jose State on a stunning free kick just outside the box. Silva then scored the Gaels' lone goal in their WCC opener at Denver off a curling free kick once again, followed by a soaring header at Portland to lead Saint Mary's to its first victory at Merlo Field since 2021. Silva was one of four Gaels to take home WCC Defensive Player of the Week this season, and became the first Gael in program history to win the WCC Defensive Player of the Year award.
#13 Ashlyn Vaughn | F | So. | All-WCC Second Team
Vaughn followed up a WCC All-Freshman team campaign in 2025 with a career high nine goals to lead the Gaels offensively here in 2026. She ranked in the top-five in the WCC in goals (9) and shots per game (3.42) while recording a team-high 65 shots, good for sixth most in single-season program history. She was one of four Gaels to start every match this season and in the open field, was one of the most dangerous attacking players in the conference.
#3 Anna Emperador | D | Gr. | Honorable Mention
After an unfortunate start to her Gael career a season ago when she suffered a season-ending injury in the opening match of play, graduate defender Anna Emperador had a point to prove in the 2026 campaign. Emperador quickly emerged as an anchor of the Gaels' back line, helping to lead the Gaels to a program record eight consecutive shutouts to open the year, including an impressive 0-0 draw with No. 14 Georgetown.
Emperador would start every match for Saint Mary's this season, and was one of four Gaels to get the nod for WCC Defensive Player of the Week, the most of any program this season. Thanks to Emperador and the Gaels' stellar back line, Saint Mary's was one of 16 teams in the country to record 11 shutouts this season and remain top-25 in the nation in goals against average (.632). This is Emperador's first All-WCC distinction, as she concludes her historic season with 19 matches played and 1,681 minutes while playing a vital role as a leader in coach Romagnolo's squad.
#34 Maddie Lucas | MF | Jr. | Honorable Mention
Maddie Lucas quickly became the leader of the Gaels' midfield in 2026, starting in all 18 matches she played while recording one assist and 1,419 minutes of action. Lucas took home her second consecutive Honorable Mention selection after making 18 starts with a pair of assists over 1,536 minutes played in 2025.
#23 Elizabeth Vega | MF | Fr. | All-WCC Freshman Team
Freshman midfielder Elizabeth Vega earned All-WCC Freshman Team honors after an impressive freshman campaign, scoring a goal and recording an assist after earning a starting role halfway through the season.
Vega earned her first collegiate start in the Gaels' WCC home opener and never looked back, scoring her first collegiate goal in the match to give Saint Mary's its first conference win of the season. Vega then recorded her first collegiate assist at Santa Clara on a well-timed through ball to Brittany Holden, earning the Gaels their first points at Buck Shaw Field since 2008.
The full 2026 West Coast Conference women's soccer all-conference awards and teams can be found below or at wccsports.com.
2026 West Coast Conference Women's Soccer All-Conference Awards
WCC Offensive Player of the Year
Kennedy Schoennauer, Santa Clara
WCC Midfielder of the Year
Kailee Wilson, Seattle U
WCC Defensive Player of the Year
Molly Silva, Saint Mary's
WCC Co-Goalkeepers of the Year
JJ Hoover, LMU & Kate Plachy, Saint Mary's
WCC Co-Freshmen of the Year
Emjae Soriano, Pepperdine & Vivien Villareal, Seattle U
Coach of the Year
Chris Chamides, LMU
WCC All-Conference
First Team
Hailey Bagby, M, Portland
Cameron Bourne, F, LMU
Ella Callanan, D, San Diego
Izzy De Buyl, D, Santa Clara
JJ Hoover, GK, LMU
U'i Kaaihue, F, Seattle U
Kyra Murphy, M, Pepperdine
Kate Plachy, GK, Saint Mary's
Julia Quinonez, F, Pepperdine
Kennedy Schoennauer, F, Santa Clara
Molly Silva, D, Saint Mary's
Kailee Wilson, M, Seattle U
Second Team
Litsy Alcocer, F, Santa Clara
Elise Bolanos, M, LMU
Aliyah Dockter, M, Portland
Samantha Dreiling, M, Denver
Kassidy Kirgan, GK, Seattle U
Peyton Leonard, D, Pepperdine
Jacey Martinez, M, Santa Clara
Kaya Rosa, F, Pacific
Kyla Schuster, M, Seattle U
Ashlyn Vaughn, F, Saint Mary's
Luci Vincent, M, Denver
Honorable Mention
Amanda Anders, San Diego
Hannah Burns, San Francisco
Jaelyn Byeman, Seattle U
Anna Emperador, Saint Mary's
Hannah Faklaris, San Diego
Maddie Lucas, Saint Mary's
Emma Gustad Myklebust, LMU
Kera Nguyen, Denver
Alicia Osegueda, San Francisco
Alex Pendleton, Pepperdine
Katie Piburn, Seattle U
Violet Rademacher, Portland
Elizabeth Rapp, Portland
Ariana Salvador, Pepperdine
Lily Stewart, Pepperdine
Hailee Takao, LMU
Addie Whitehouse, Santa Clara
WCC All-Freshman Team
Litsy Alcocer, F, Santa Clara
Dalia Asad Halim, F, San Francisco
Ane Joergensen, D, LMU
Fiona McCormick, M, Pepperdine
Jonnie Quiroz, M, San Diego
Kate Ryan, F, Pepperdine
Emjae Soriano, D/F, Pepperdine
Elizabeth Vega, M, Saint Mary's
Vivien Villarreal, M, Seattle U
Lucy Wimsatt, D, Santa Clara
Mia York, M, LMU
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
The Gaels were well represented in the 2025 West Coast Conference All-Conference awards, with Molly Silva becoming the first Gael in program history to take home WCC Defensive Player of the Year, and Kate Plachy earning a share of WCC Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive season.
"KP and Molly have been defensive all-stars for us not just this season but throughout their SMC careers", said head coach Theresa Romagnolo. "They are a big reason we had one of the best defenses in the country. Not only are they incredible on the field, but they captained us this year and modeled everything our program is about; a competitive spirit, resilient mindset, and team unity. I could not have been more proud of the two of them as well as our entire team for their heart and resilience this season".
Plachy and Silva also represented Saint Mary's on the All-WCC First Team, while sophomore forward Ashlyn Vaughn was named to the Second Team with her team leading nine goals this season. Defender Anna Emperador and midfielder Maddie Lucas earned Honorable Mention selections, with Lucas earning Honorable Mention for the second consecutive season. Rounding out the honors for Saint Mary's was freshman midfielder Elizabeth Vega, earning a spot on the WCC All-Freshman Team to give the Gaels six total all-conference selections for the second consecutive season.
#1 Kate Plachy | GK | R-Jr. | Co-WCC Goalkeeper of the Year
After a career season in 2025 in which she became the second Gael in program history to win WCC Goalkeeper of the Year, redshirt junior Kate Plachy led Saint Mary's to one of the best defensive seasons in program history, becoming the first back-to-back WCC Goalkeeper of the Year winner in program history.
Plachy ranked top two in the WCC in shutouts (7), save percentage (0.818), and goals against average (.810), while tying the conference lead in wins (8) despite missing the first four matches of the season. She recorded four-plus saves in seven matches this season and 54 saves on the year to bring her collegiate total to 175 saves, putting her alone at sixth in program history. Plachy now ranks in the top three in program history in wins (26), shutouts (24.5), and goals against average, and has solidified herself as one of the best goalkeepers in West Coast Conference history by becoming one of four goalkeepers to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
#8 Molly Silva | D | Sr. | WCC Defensive Player of the Year
Coming into her senior campaign with just one goal in three collegiate seasons, senior defender Molly Silva added to her defensive prowess with a breakout offensive campaign for Saint Mary's. Silva ranked in the top three in goals (3) and shots (21) for the Gaels, while leading the team with an astounding 1,692 minutes played for fifth most in program history.
Along with her team leading 17 90-minute matches this season, Silva was one of four players to start every match this year for the Gaels. Silva's first goal of the season came in a crucial 2-0 victory at San Jose State on a stunning free kick just outside the box. Silva then scored the Gaels' lone goal in their WCC opener at Denver off a curling free kick once again, followed by a soaring header at Portland to lead Saint Mary's to its first victory at Merlo Field since 2021. Silva was one of four Gaels to take home WCC Defensive Player of the Week this season, and became the first Gael in program history to win the WCC Defensive Player of the Year award.
#13 Ashlyn Vaughn | F | So. | All-WCC Second Team
Vaughn followed up a WCC All-Freshman team campaign in 2025 with a career high nine goals to lead the Gaels offensively here in 2026. She ranked in the top-five in the WCC in goals (9) and shots per game (3.42) while recording a team-high 65 shots, good for sixth most in single-season program history. She was one of four Gaels to start every match this season and in the open field, was one of the most dangerous attacking players in the conference.
#3 Anna Emperador | D | Gr. | Honorable Mention
After an unfortunate start to her Gael career a season ago when she suffered a season-ending injury in the opening match of play, graduate defender Anna Emperador had a point to prove in the 2026 campaign. Emperador quickly emerged as an anchor of the Gaels' back line, helping to lead the Gaels to a program record eight consecutive shutouts to open the year, including an impressive 0-0 draw with No. 14 Georgetown.
Emperador would start every match for Saint Mary's this season, and was one of four Gaels to get the nod for WCC Defensive Player of the Week, the most of any program this season. Thanks to Emperador and the Gaels' stellar back line, Saint Mary's was one of 16 teams in the country to record 11 shutouts this season and remain top-25 in the nation in goals against average (.632). This is Emperador's first All-WCC distinction, as she concludes her historic season with 19 matches played and 1,681 minutes while playing a vital role as a leader in coach Romagnolo's squad.
#34 Maddie Lucas | MF | Jr. | Honorable Mention
Maddie Lucas quickly became the leader of the Gaels' midfield in 2026, starting in all 18 matches she played while recording one assist and 1,419 minutes of action. Lucas took home her second consecutive Honorable Mention selection after making 18 starts with a pair of assists over 1,536 minutes played in 2025.
#23 Elizabeth Vega | MF | Fr. | All-WCC Freshman Team
Freshman midfielder Elizabeth Vega earned All-WCC Freshman Team honors after an impressive freshman campaign, scoring a goal and recording an assist after earning a starting role halfway through the season.
Vega earned her first collegiate start in the Gaels' WCC home opener and never looked back, scoring her first collegiate goal in the match to give Saint Mary's its first conference win of the season. Vega then recorded her first collegiate assist at Santa Clara on a well-timed through ball to Brittany Holden, earning the Gaels their first points at Buck Shaw Field since 2008.
The full 2026 West Coast Conference women's soccer all-conference awards and teams can be found below or at wccsports.com.
2026 West Coast Conference Women's Soccer All-Conference Awards
WCC Offensive Player of the Year
Kennedy Schoennauer, Santa Clara
WCC Midfielder of the Year
Kailee Wilson, Seattle U
WCC Defensive Player of the Year
Molly Silva, Saint Mary's
WCC Co-Goalkeepers of the Year
JJ Hoover, LMU & Kate Plachy, Saint Mary's
WCC Co-Freshmen of the Year
Emjae Soriano, Pepperdine & Vivien Villareal, Seattle U
Coach of the Year
Chris Chamides, LMU
WCC All-Conference
First Team
Hailey Bagby, M, Portland
Cameron Bourne, F, LMU
Ella Callanan, D, San Diego
Izzy De Buyl, D, Santa Clara
JJ Hoover, GK, LMU
U'i Kaaihue, F, Seattle U
Kyra Murphy, M, Pepperdine
Kate Plachy, GK, Saint Mary's
Julia Quinonez, F, Pepperdine
Kennedy Schoennauer, F, Santa Clara
Molly Silva, D, Saint Mary's
Kailee Wilson, M, Seattle U
Second Team
Litsy Alcocer, F, Santa Clara
Elise Bolanos, M, LMU
Aliyah Dockter, M, Portland
Samantha Dreiling, M, Denver
Kassidy Kirgan, GK, Seattle U
Peyton Leonard, D, Pepperdine
Jacey Martinez, M, Santa Clara
Kaya Rosa, F, Pacific
Kyla Schuster, M, Seattle U
Ashlyn Vaughn, F, Saint Mary's
Luci Vincent, M, Denver
Honorable Mention
Amanda Anders, San Diego
Hannah Burns, San Francisco
Jaelyn Byeman, Seattle U
Anna Emperador, Saint Mary's
Hannah Faklaris, San Diego
Maddie Lucas, Saint Mary's
Emma Gustad Myklebust, LMU
Kera Nguyen, Denver
Alicia Osegueda, San Francisco
Alex Pendleton, Pepperdine
Katie Piburn, Seattle U
Violet Rademacher, Portland
Elizabeth Rapp, Portland
Ariana Salvador, Pepperdine
Lily Stewart, Pepperdine
Hailee Takao, LMU
Addie Whitehouse, Santa Clara
WCC All-Freshman Team
Litsy Alcocer, F, Santa Clara
Dalia Asad Halim, F, San Francisco
Ane Joergensen, D, LMU
Fiona McCormick, M, Pepperdine
Jonnie Quiroz, M, San Diego
Kate Ryan, F, Pepperdine
Emjae Soriano, D/F, Pepperdine
Elizabeth Vega, M, Saint Mary's
Vivien Villarreal, M, Seattle U
Lucy Wimsatt, D, Santa Clara
Mia York, M, LMU
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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