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Experience, Versatility Key For Women's Soccer In 2007
Posted: Aug 31, 2007

Experience, Versatility Key For Women's Soccer In 2007

EXPERIENCE, VERSAILITY KEY FOR WOMEN'S SOCCER IN 2007 

CHICOPEE, MA, Aug. 31, 2007 - In 2006, the Elms College women's soccer team enjoyed unprecedented success following a program-record 14-win campaign that included its first North Atlantic Conference (NAC) regular season championship since 1999.

The Blazers return 13 players, including eight starters from a year ago, and that has fourth-year head coach Ryan Kelly optimistic his team can match last year's success.

"Having experienced returning players is always a plus and I think this group should be able to teach the newcomers what it takes to win," Coach Kelly, the 2006 NAC Coach of the Year, explained.

After starting last season 0-3, the Blazers responded with an eight-game winning streak that included shutout victories over Becker, Lesley, Husson, Mount Holyoke and Wheelock.

Elms College cruised to a 14-3-1 mark in its final 18 games, outscored the opposition 43-10 and posted 10 shutout victories.

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Gone to graduation are forwards Jen LeDoux and Chelsea Rose, who combined for 59 career goals and 146 points.

Despite the loss of two of the program's most prolific all-time scorers, the Blazers return six of their top seven scorers from a year ago.

Sophomores Krystyna Gagne (Methuen, MA) and Serina Percoski (Westfield, MA) had sensational freshman seasons up front, as the two tallied a combined 12 goals and 31 points in 2006.

With the recently completed renovation of Leary Field to include Field Turf and expanded dimensions (72x120 yards), sophomore midfielders Maggie Rivers (Dalton, MA), Shannon Shickler (Adams, MA) and Vanessa Pare (Belchertown, MA) are expected to play a critical role in the Blazers' success this season.

"Their job is to control the tempo of the game and help us pass our way up and down our now very large field," Coach Kelly said.

Sophomore Kelsey Battige (Monson, MA) and junior Mariana Rocha (Lisbon, Portugal) join Gagne to provide the Blazers added depth and speed up front.

"All three are very fast, have good shots and high work rates," Coach Kelly noted. "I expect them to be a successful group."

Junior Julie Wickman (Hampden, MA), who was a backup goalkeeper last season, will be converted to forward this season.

Freshmen Sarah Donais (Granby, MA) and Alison Couture (Chicopee, MA), both four-year players in high school, offer Coach Kelly solid options off the bench in the midfield.

"Sarah is a midfielder who has already shown great intelligence and a high fitness level," Coach Kelly said. "Alison is very fast and very fit. She can either start or come off the bench and I expect her to compile a lot of points."

DEFENDERS

Defense has been the Blazers' trademark during the past four years and this season should be no different despite the loss of four-year starters Jill Jacobs and Tina Lempke.

Senior Jamie Walsh (Springfield, MA), a First Team All-NAC selection a year ago, will be moved into the back after playing much of last season in the midfield. Walsh struck for five goals in 2006 and will give the Blazers a lethal scoring threat.

Walsh will be joined by senior Caitlin Childs (Hingham, MA) and junior Alicia Bobbie (Higganum, CT).

"These three are very intelligent players, tough tacklers and all are capable of scoring goals when given the chance," Coach Kelly said.

Junior Kerrie Bowden (Chicopee, MA), who scored four goals as a midfielder last season, will be moved into the back this year. Junior Meghan McCarthy (Springfield, MA) and freshman Stephanie Magalhaes (Granby, MA) will also see playing time as defenders.

GOALKEEPERS

The return of junior Shannon Donnelly (Florence, MA) and the addition of freshman Miranda Allen (Holyoke, MA) provide the Blazers with a solid one-two tandem between the pipes.

Donnelly recorded 10 shutouts and a 0.96 goals against average in her first season as a starter last year, while Allen played four years at Holyoke High School.

"Shannon is big, strong and excellent on high balls and Miranda is extremely courageous and great a making tough low saves," Coach Kelly noted.

SCHEDULE

The Blazers open up with a pair of extremely non-conference games at the Springfield College Invitational on September 1-2.

Elms College opens with defending Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) champion WNEC (11-8-2) in their season-opener and return to action the next night against the host Pride (14-6), which advanced to the first round of last year's ECAC Division III Championship.

The Blazers return to action three days later in their home opener against Nichols before departing for a pair of non-conference road games at Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) foes Westfield State and MCLA.

From there, the Blazers play six of their next nine games at home, including the team's conference opener at home against Becker on September 15.

Elms College finishes with three of its last four conference games on the road, including a weekend trip to Maine to face NAC foes Husson and Maine Maritime on the last weekend of the regular season.

WRAP-UP

With 13 returnees from last season, the Blazers possess the proven leadership and experience needed to win.

Elms College also has one critical component needed - versatility.

"Most of the players we have recruited over the last few years are very versatile," Coach Kelly said. "That has been helpful for us because it allows our coaching staff to try different things on the field and also ensures that if someone gets injured, we are not lost."