SAINT LEO, Fla. – Following the release of the 2019 Saint Leo women's soccer schedule, first-year head coach Peter McGahey announced the addition of 12 Lions for the upcoming season. The newest members of the Green and Gold feature seven freshmen and five transfers. The Saint Leo class of 2023 welcome true freshmen Nicole Alexiou, Lindsey Benedetto, Lindsay Blum, Alexa Guido, Emma Nieman, Linn Viktorsson and Brianna Wiik. Transferring to Saint Leo are Alyssa Abernot, Kennedy Messina, Rebecca Niblett, Matteo Ntacyo and Taylor Smith.
 
Nicole Alexiou is a defender from Tarpon Springs, Fla. who chose Saint Leo because of the "beautiful campus and uplifting coaching staff." She had a successful high school career as team captain and coaches and players MVP playing for Tarpon Springs High School alongside playing for the Tampa Bay United Rowdies club team. During her time at Saint Leo, Alexiou will be studying Criminology.
 
Lindsey Benedetto is a midfielder from Bradenton, Fla. who chose Saint Leo because of "its staff to student ratio, strong business program and high level of soccer." Benedetto had a tremendous prep career. While playing for Lakewood Ranch High School, she and her team earned the District Champions title and a regional semifinal appearance. For her work, she was named to the Herald Tribune All-Star Preps. During her club career at Tampa Bay United ECNL Composite 01, Benedetto helped defeat the number one team in the league in a second place season finish.
 
Lindsay Blum joins the Lions coming from McLean, Va. as a four-year starting defender. Blum was decorated as a four-time all-district award recipient, First Team All-District player and season MVP as the team's captain. Beyond her time playing for McLean High School, she had an outstanding career playing for the Arlington Red, inking a Virginia State Cup Finalist, US Youth Soccer Regional Tournament Qualifier, CCL United All-Star Selection for Gothia Cup in Sweden and a Virginia Olympic Development Program Region 1 Team to her slate of accomplishments. Blum has yet to declare a major but chose Saint Leo because she "felt at home as soon as she visited campus."
 
Alexa Guido is a midfielder from New Port Richey, Fla. who played for River Ridge High School and the Tampa Bay Rowdies club team. Guido earned a First Team All-Conference honor after a 61-goal career as District Champions and Regional Finalist. Guido says she chose Saint Leo because she "wanted to further her education and athletic career at one of the most beautiful campuses in Florida." While at Saint Leo, she will be double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
 
Emma Nieman is a defender from Spring Hill, Tenn. who chose Saint Leo because she "felt at home the moment she stepped on campus." The Summit High School graduate is a two-year All-District award winner and Summit Offensive MVP. In addition to playing for her school, Nieman played for the Tennessee Soccer Club where she also started all four years. While at Saint Leo, Nieman will study Pre-Law.
 
Linn Viktorsson joins the 2019 squad all the way from Norrkoping, Sweden. The freshman midfielder played for Kunskapsgymnasiet Norrkoping and the Lindo FF club team. She chose Saint Leo because she "always wanted to move to Florida and believes the class sizes will be a good fit for her." Viktorsson will be obtaining an Economics degree while wearing the Green and Gold.
 
Brianna Wiik is a forward from New Port Richey, Fla. who chose Saint Leo because she "could picture herself enjoying the next four years of her academic and athletic career at this campus specifically." Wiik played for J.W. Mitchell High School where she was named Second Team All-Conference, Pasco Player of the Week and earned the title of District Champions and a Regional Finalist appearance. Wiik also played for the Florida Premier FC club team. During her time at Saint Leo, Wiik will be enrolled in the Elementary Education program.
 
Alyssa Abernot transfers to Saint Leo from NCAA DIvision I Bowling Green State University as a goalkeeper from Grimsby, Ontario, Canada. Abernot found success early at Bowling Green as a MAC Champion, MAC Tournament Champion and an appearance in the NCAA tournament. After notching a Dean's list appearance, she will continue to study Sport Business at Saint Leo.
 
Kennedy Messina puts on the Green and Gold after enrolling at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The midfielder from Shorewood, Ill. joins the Lions after 11 starts as a UIC Flame. During her time up North, Messina was named on the Dean's List. She will continue to major in Marketing at Saint Leo.
 
Rebecca Niblett spent last season as a junior at the University of Bridgeport following two seasons at Lake Tahoe Community College. The forward from Fleet, England has already tallied two Golden Valley Conference Championships, First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete and Scholar All-American to her list of accomplishments. While at Saint Leo, she will study Psychology.
 
Mattea Ntacyo transfers to Saint Leo from Webber International University. A midfielder from Jacksonville, Fla., Ntacyo played at Creekside High School and the Florida Elite Soccer Academy leading up to her collegiate career. She enrolled at Saint Leo because it had everything she was looking for including small class sizes and a welcoming environment. While at Saint Leo, Ntacyo will be working for a degree in Biomedical & Health Sciences.

Taylor Smith joins the Saint Leo Lions after a season at Florida Atlantic University. Originally from Apopka, Fla. Smith is a midfielder and defender. She chose to transfer to Saint Leo because she "instantly felt home when she visited." Smith enrolled in the Saint Leo Sports Business program.
 
The Saint Leo Lions open the 2019 season on Friday, September 6 against Mississippi College at the Saint Leo Soccer Field with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's soccer team, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.