Herman Highlights 5 on CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team, Liberty Picked to Finish First in CUSA Debut
8/10/2023 1:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty women's soccer team featured five players selected to the Conference USA Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference team, led by Bridie Herman chosen as the Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Liberty was voted to finish first in their debut season as a CUSA member with five first place votes (58 points) in the preseason poll, followed by New Mexico State (three first place, 45 points) and Louisiana Tech (one first place, 45 points).
Along with Herman, other Lady Flames on the CUSA Preseason All-Conference team are GK Ainsley Leja, MF Rachel DeRuby, MF Saydie Holland and F Ivy Garner.
Liberty opens the season on the road taking on VCU on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will hold its home opener on Saturday (Aug. 20) hosting Delaware at 1 p.m.
Defender- Bridie Herman (Graduate)
This is the defender's second accolade of the preseason, being named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch for defenders. In 2022, Herman was selected to the ASUN All-Conference first team and earned an ASUN All-Tournament selection in 2022. The Springboro, Ohio native was also added to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region first team and the VaSID All-State first team.
Herman led the ASUN in 2022 with eight assists while also netting three goals (all game-winners), good for a team high 14 points. The defender was a dependable piece for her team, making 21 starts and logging over 1,800 minutes. Herman earned two consecutive selections as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 27, Oct. 4).
Goalkeeper- Ainsley Leja (Junior)
This also marks the second preseason accolade for Leja, being named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch for goalkeepers. In 2022, Leja was selected as the ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year. The goalkeeper was also selected to the ASUN All-Conference first team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region second team. She also was included on the CSC Academic All-District team and the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
In her sophomore season, Leja allowed just 13 goals in over 1,800 minutes played in 2022, recording a 14-3-4 mark. Leja led the ASUN with 10 recorded shutouts, the 13th most in the nation. Her 10 shutouts were the second most in team history for a single season. Leja managed to not allow a goal across 420 minutes of play (five games) from Sept. 15-Oct. 2.
Leja achieved a program-record 0.62 goals-against average, finishing third in the ASUN and 20th in the nation in goals-against average. The goalkeeper totaled 56 saves across the season, good for an .812 save percentage.
Midfielder- Rachel DeRuby (Senior)
DeRuby was selected to the ASUN All-Conference second team after leading the team with six goals in 2022. The midfielder was also named to United Soccer Coaches All-South Region third team and VaSID All-State second team last season.
The Oneida, N.Y., native started all 21 games, finishing second on the team with 13 points. Her totals placed her tied for fourth in the ASUN in goals and ninth in points. DeRuby was also included on the CoSIDA Academic All-District team and the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
Midfielder- Saydie Holland (Graduate)
The imposing midfielder was selected to the ASUN All-Conference second team and the ASUN All-Tournament team in 2022. Holland was also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region second team and the VaSID All-State second team.
The Waverly, Tenn. native proved invaluable in 17 starts, tallying four goals and three assists on the year. Holland notched a season high two-goals in the ASUN quarterfinals, leading the team to a 3-0 victory (Oct. 27)
Forward- Ivy Garner (Sophomore)
Garner made a big impression in her freshman season for the Lady Flames. She earned a selection to the ASUN All-Conference second team and the ASUN All-Freshman team. The forward made 18 appearances for the squad including 14 starts.
The forward tallied three goals and five assists, good for fourth on the team and second among freshman with 11 points. Garner netted the lone goal in a 1-1 tie facing Stetson on Sept. 15.
2023 CUSA Women's Soccer Preseason Team
Predicted Order of Finish
Along with Herman, other Lady Flames on the CUSA Preseason All-Conference team are GK Ainsley Leja, MF Rachel DeRuby, MF Saydie Holland and F Ivy Garner.
Liberty opens the season on the road taking on VCU on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will hold its home opener on Saturday (Aug. 20) hosting Delaware at 1 p.m.
Defender- Bridie Herman (Graduate)
This is the defender's second accolade of the preseason, being named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch for defenders. In 2022, Herman was selected to the ASUN All-Conference first team and earned an ASUN All-Tournament selection in 2022. The Springboro, Ohio native was also added to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region first team and the VaSID All-State first team.
Herman led the ASUN in 2022 with eight assists while also netting three goals (all game-winners), good for a team high 14 points. The defender was a dependable piece for her team, making 21 starts and logging over 1,800 minutes. Herman earned two consecutive selections as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 27, Oct. 4).
Goalkeeper- Ainsley Leja (Junior)
This also marks the second preseason accolade for Leja, being named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch for goalkeepers. In 2022, Leja was selected as the ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year. The goalkeeper was also selected to the ASUN All-Conference first team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region second team. She also was included on the CSC Academic All-District team and the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
In her sophomore season, Leja allowed just 13 goals in over 1,800 minutes played in 2022, recording a 14-3-4 mark. Leja led the ASUN with 10 recorded shutouts, the 13th most in the nation. Her 10 shutouts were the second most in team history for a single season. Leja managed to not allow a goal across 420 minutes of play (five games) from Sept. 15-Oct. 2.
Leja achieved a program-record 0.62 goals-against average, finishing third in the ASUN and 20th in the nation in goals-against average. The goalkeeper totaled 56 saves across the season, good for an .812 save percentage.
Midfielder- Rachel DeRuby (Senior)
DeRuby was selected to the ASUN All-Conference second team after leading the team with six goals in 2022. The midfielder was also named to United Soccer Coaches All-South Region third team and VaSID All-State second team last season.
The Oneida, N.Y., native started all 21 games, finishing second on the team with 13 points. Her totals placed her tied for fourth in the ASUN in goals and ninth in points. DeRuby was also included on the CoSIDA Academic All-District team and the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
Midfielder- Saydie Holland (Graduate)
The imposing midfielder was selected to the ASUN All-Conference second team and the ASUN All-Tournament team in 2022. Holland was also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region second team and the VaSID All-State second team.
The Waverly, Tenn. native proved invaluable in 17 starts, tallying four goals and three assists on the year. Holland notched a season high two-goals in the ASUN quarterfinals, leading the team to a 3-0 victory (Oct. 27)
Forward- Ivy Garner (Sophomore)
Garner made a big impression in her freshman season for the Lady Flames. She earned a selection to the ASUN All-Conference second team and the ASUN All-Freshman team. The forward made 18 appearances for the squad including 14 starts.
The forward tallied three goals and five assists, good for fourth on the team and second among freshman with 11 points. Garner netted the lone goal in a 1-1 tie facing Stetson on Sept. 15.
2023 CUSA Women's Soccer Preseason Team
| Pos. | Name, School | Year | Hometown |
| GK | Ainsley Leja, Liberty | Jr. | Rockford, Mich. |
| D | Josie Studer, LA Tech | Gr. | Waxhaw, N.C. |
| D | Bridie Herman, Liberty | Gr. | Springboro, Ohio |
| D | Caroline Manley, MTSU | Gr. | Arlington, Tenn. |
| D | Mya Hammack, NM State | Jr. | Aurora, Ore. |
| D | Thalia Chaverria, NM State | Jr. | Bakersfield, Calif. |
| MF | Rachel DeRuby, Liberty | Sr. | Oneida, N.Y. |
| MF | Saydie Holland, Liberty | Gr. | Waverly, Tenn. |
| MF | Bianca Chacon, NM State | Jr. | El Paso, Texas |
| MF | Ambere Barnett, WKU | Gr. | Rockport, Ind. |
| F | Nikole Solis, FIU | Jr. | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| F | Flavie Dube, LA Tech | So. | Ottawa, Canada |
| F | Ivy Garner, Liberty | So. | Hillsborough, N.C. |
| F | Loma McNeese, NM State | Sr. | Sherwood, Ore. |
Predicted Order of Finish
| Rank | School (first-place votes) | Total |
| 1. | Liberty (5) | 58 |
| 2. | NM State (3) | 55 |
| 3. | LA Tech (1) | 45 |
| 4. | WKU | 43 |
| 5. | FIU | 35 |
| 6. | MTSU | 26 |
| 7. | UTEP | 25 |
| 8. | Sam Houston | 21 |
| 9. | Jacksonville State | 16 |
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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GK
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