Kelleher, McShea, and Thievon Named to Preseason All-Metro Team; Pioneers Ranked Second in the Preseason Coaches' Poll
8/6/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The season opener is August 12
Fairfield, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team has been picked second in the 2026 Metro Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll. In addition, Shea Kelleher, Lindsay McShea, and Kyran Thievon were each named to the Preseason All-Metro Team.
Coming off a 2025 Metro Conference Championship season, the Pioneers earned 151 points and three first-place votes in the preseason poll, finishing just behind cross-town rival Fairfield. The Stags claimed the top spot with 164 points and nine first-place votes.
Quinnipiac was selected third with 146 points and one first-place vote, while Canisius and Siena tied for fourth with 118 points each. Marist and Manhattan shared sixth place with 86 points apiece, followed by Iona (80), Merrimack (72), Niagara (63), Rider (40), Mount St. Mary's (39), and Saint Peter's (20) to round out the 13-team preseason poll.
Kelleher, the 2026 Metro Conference Preseason Player of the Year, is coming off a standout junior campaign in which she totaled 22 points on eight goals and six assists. She will look to continue leading the Pioneers' attack during her senior season.
McShea enters the year after leading Sacred Heart with eight assists in 2025. A consistent playmaker in the midfield, her vision and passing ability helped drive the Pioneers' offense, and she will look to build on that success this fall.
Thievon returns after anchoring the Pioneers' defense during their championship run. The goalkeeper finished the 2025 season with a 0.96 goals-against average and 95 saves. She also made the decisive save in the penalty shootout to clinch the Metro Conference Championship, helping send Sacred Heart to the NCAA Tournament.
Up Next
The Pioneers' home opener is Wednesday, August 12th at 7:00 PM as they are set to host Central Connecticut State University.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1 Fairfield 164 (9)
2 Sacred Heart 151 (3)
3 Quinnipiac 146 (1)
T4 Canisius 118
T4 Siena 118
T6 Marist 86
T6 Manhattan 86
8 Iona 80
9 Merrimack 72
10 Niagara 63
11 Rider 40
12 Mount St. Mary's 39
13 Saint Peter's 20
Coming off a 2025 Metro Conference Championship season, the Pioneers earned 151 points and three first-place votes in the preseason poll, finishing just behind cross-town rival Fairfield. The Stags claimed the top spot with 164 points and nine first-place votes.
Quinnipiac was selected third with 146 points and one first-place vote, while Canisius and Siena tied for fourth with 118 points each. Marist and Manhattan shared sixth place with 86 points apiece, followed by Iona (80), Merrimack (72), Niagara (63), Rider (40), Mount St. Mary's (39), and Saint Peter's (20) to round out the 13-team preseason poll.
Kelleher, the 2026 Metro Conference Preseason Player of the Year, is coming off a standout junior campaign in which she totaled 22 points on eight goals and six assists. She will look to continue leading the Pioneers' attack during her senior season.
McShea enters the year after leading Sacred Heart with eight assists in 2025. A consistent playmaker in the midfield, her vision and passing ability helped drive the Pioneers' offense, and she will look to build on that success this fall.
Thievon returns after anchoring the Pioneers' defense during their championship run. The goalkeeper finished the 2025 season with a 0.96 goals-against average and 95 saves. She also made the decisive save in the penalty shootout to clinch the Metro Conference Championship, helping send Sacred Heart to the NCAA Tournament.
Up Next
The Pioneers' home opener is Wednesday, August 12th at 7:00 PM as they are set to host Central Connecticut State University.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1 Fairfield 164 (9)
2 Sacred Heart 151 (3)
3 Quinnipiac 146 (1)
T4 Canisius 118
T4 Siena 118
T6 Marist 86
T6 Manhattan 86
8 Iona 80
9 Merrimack 72
10 Niagara 63
11 Rider 40
12 Mount St. Mary's 39
13 Saint Peter's 20
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
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