NAIA RELEASE
Kansas City, Mo. — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has recently dropped their final poll of the 2024 season for women's soccer on Wednesday (Dec. 18). This Coaches' Top 25 Post-Season Poll saw the Saints drop to ninth from their previous position of fifth.

The now No. 9th-rated Saints had a historic season as they finished the year off with an impressive 17-1-2 (11-0-1) record. Taking home both the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament and Regular Season Championships. The team once again earned their right to compete in the NAIA National Tournament, where they made their way to the final site in Pensacola, Florida. AQ's national hopes came to a close with their first and only loss of the season from then No. 4-rated Tennessee Southern Firehawks.

Even with their loss in the tournament, the Saints have decorated themselves brightly with awards and accolades on the season.

Here is what Head Coach James DeCosemo had to share about the team's overall season "I'm incredibly proud of this team and what they achieved this season. While it wasn't the ending we wanted, the soccer we played, the memories we shared, and the way this group worked for each other is something I will never forget. They are now the standard for AQWS and their example will be the driving force for this program moving forward."

Senior Maeva Lichtensteiger and Junior Olivia Bowling have been in integral part of the Saints since the two have debuted in the maroon and white. Here if what they had to share about the season, "My past four years at Aquinas have been incredible but this season was truly something special. It's unfortunate the way it ended, but as a group we should be so proud of what we were able to accomplish. Not one moment this year was taken for granted. We continued to believe in ourselves and work hard everyday. I'm so grateful for this group and my time at Aquinas; I wouldn't trade it for the world." said Lichtensteiger.

Bowling added "This season has been an incredible journey for our team, and it wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and guidance of our coaching staff. Their leadership has pushed us to grow as players and as individuals, both on and off the field. Every game has been a reflection to our hard work, teamwork, and the belief that we can achieve greatness together. No matter the challenges we faced, this team has shown resilience, grit, and the determination to keep striving for success. We're ready to build on that foundation as we prepare to get to work for next season."
 

Here is how the national top ten look from the poll:
 

RANK	PREVIOUS RANK	INSTITUTION	RECORD	VOTED POINTS
1st	13th	SCAD Savannah (Ga.)	20-1-2	420
2nd	2nd	Keiser (Fla.)	18-2-1	406
3rd	8th	Columbia (Mo.)	20-2-1	383
4th	10th	College of Idaho	20-1-2	378
5th	3rd	William Carey (Miss.)	20-2-1	363
6th	4th	Tennessee Southern	19-3-1	343
7th	19th	John Brown (Ark.)	16-6-1	333
8th	1st	Cumberlands (Ky.)	18-1-0	331
9th	5th	Aquinas	17-1-2	289
9th	25th	UC Merced (Calif.)	12-4-2	289