Naimoli Shines in Debut, Makes Key Save in Syracuse Women’s Soccer’s 0-0 draw with Villanova in Season Opener

By Jake Bowen | @Jake_Bowen12

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse Women’s Soccer (0-0-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) drew 0-0 with Villanova (0-0-1, 0-0 Big East) in its season opener on Thursday. SU’s offense had multiple scoring opportunities in the first half but couldn’t convert. Meanwhile, it was the Orange defense and goalkeeper Maya Naimoli that kept the game scoreless in the second.

Both teams came in with very different storylines to start 2026. The Wildcats finished the 2025 campaign with a 9-8-1 record, their best since 2019. On the other hand, the Orange went 5-9-4 last season, their worst record since 2022.

Villanova’s offense struggled through the first half. The Wildcats did not tally a shot and had just two corner kicks. The attack was an issue for Villanova last year after the Wildcats scored a little over a goal a game, third-worst in the Big East.

SU’s attack created chances early on. Midfielder Julia Arbelaez recorded two shots in the first nine minutes. The sophomore ended the night with a team-leading four. However, the Orange could not convert their opportunities. Despite its seven corners in the first half to the Wildcats’ two, the game stayed scoreless going into the break.

The second half was a lot tighter. 

After being held shotless in the first 45 minutes, Villanova’s offense erupted with five shots in the second half. The Wildcats’ biggest scoring chance came at the 53-minute mark, where a shot from forward Ryley Dixon found the back of the net but was called off after video review deemed goalie interference by midfielder Amalia Cardo. 

Naimoli was a brick wall in net. In her debut with the Orange, the redshirt junior notched four saves. The Youngstown State transfer tallied a Horizon League-best 100 stops last season, with nearly six per game. Naimoli stood tall when it mattered most. In the closing minutes, the goalie made a game-sealing save off her left leg. 

The Orange’s tie with the Wildcats is its first in a season opener since 2016 against Colgate. SU has a chance to earn its first win of 2026 this Sunday against Holy Cross (0-0-1, 0-0 Patriot League). Game time is set for 1 p.m. 

For coverage of that game and the rest of the Syracuse Women’s Soccer season, follow @Jake_Bowen12 and @CitrusTVSports on X.