RELEASE DATE: 8/26/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WOMEN’S SOCCER EAGER TO OPEN 2005 SEASON  -- HOST GEORGIAN COURT IN SEASON OPENER SUNDAY

MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University women’s soccer team will open its fourth season by hosting Georgian Court College this Sunday afternoon at the Soccer Field at the top of the Mansfield University campus. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.

“I think we’re all eager for the season to start,” said head coach Tim Dempsey. “We made some definite improvements over last year and expect to be able to be as effective as we were defensively with a lot more improvement offensively.”

Last season’s 2-13-2 record is deceiving. After starting the season off with two wins, the Mountaineer suffered a rash of injuries that led to scoring droughts offensively. However, the defense was outstanding, posting three shutouts and allowing more than three goals in a game just once in the final 11 outings.

Dempsey returns 12 players off last season’s team including the program’s first ever All-PSAC player in junior defender Desiree Boris. Also returning are seniors, and original team members, Stephanie Haulman, Julie Miller, Erica Madden and Carrie Worton.

Combined with what Dempsey considers one of his best recruiting class’s, it easy to understand the strong feeling of optimism running through preseason camp.

“It really has been a good camp and the players have worked hard the entire time,” reports Dempsey. “The key to the season will be in scoring more. We could play with almost anybody in the conference last season, but we just couldn’t score. I know were going to do more scoring this season and I know our players feel the same way.”

The Mountaineers expect to feature a markedly improved offense from last season’s injury depleted unit that produced a conference low nine goals.

A healthy Colleen Corcoran returns to forward where she started the season as a freshman last year scoring a team high three goals in just 12 games.  Also returning up front is fellow sophomore Caroline Furmato who was second on the team with two goals in 2004.  Sophomore Amy Dominick returns to the team after sitting out last season and strikes the ball well. Dominick can play forward or midfield. Senior Carrie Worton has been a consistent player for the past three seasons, appearing in 44 of the programs’ first 47 games at positions all over the pitch.

Lyndi Keiser tops a promising group on newcomers at forward. Keiser has proven herself to be a quick player who moves well with and without the ball in preseason camp and could find herself in the starting lineup. Kelly Jennings is another freshman who has shown promise in camp and is a solid all around player. Katie Kowalewski is a transfer from Broome Community College and has been working with the team since last semester. Vanessa Okkerse is a first year player who will add depth to the front line.

Three-year starter Erica Madden heads up a group of three returning midfielders. A hard worker and strong defense player on the outside, Madden has started 46 of the Mountaineers first 47 games. Anita Valerio also returns to the midline after starting 12 games as a freshman last season. Valerio has excellent skills a field vision. Kim Pachuta also earned a starting spot at midfield last season where she displayed a great touch in distributing the ball.

Newcomer Abby Matsinger could push for a starting spot at midfield. A solid all around player, Matsinger has held her own in camp as a freshman. Transfer Ashley Stevens and freshman Kendra Radin will provide depth and are expected to show improvement with more experience.

The strength of the team, especially in the early part of the season, will lie in a talented and experienced defensive unit. Junior Desiree Boris became the program’s first All-PSAC selection last year. An outstanding leader on the field and tenacious tackler, Boris has started all but two games in her first two seasons. Senior Stephanie Haulman will move back to defender after starting at midfield the past two seasons. An outstanding defensive player, Haulman earned team MVP honors as a defender her freshman season. Junior Venessa Wengen is also a two-year starter who will move back to defense after playing at midfield last season. Sophomore Robyn Travisano started every game as a freshman last year and has proven herself to be a very solid defender.

Newcomers Kaytlen Robinson has preformed well in preseason camp and could vie for a starting spot. Transfer Bethani Griner adds depth to the back line.

Julie Miller has started at goalie since the program originated in 2002 and led the PSAC in saves last season averaging 9.92 per game. An outstanding all around athlete with excellent quickness and vision, Miller is one of the top returning goalies in the conference. Freshmen Justine Segear and Denise Congdon will backup Miller in the net. Segear is a solid goalie who played on a championship program in high school and Congdon has shown herself to be a hard worker in camp.