William Paterson women's soccer preview
Sixteenth-year William Paterson women's soccer head coach Keith Woods is excited to begin the 2012 season and says that quality leadership should be a key factor to the team's success this fall.
"So far this group of seniors has been tremendous during training camp as far as team chemistry goes, work rate and motivating the newcomers and even some of the returning players, too," said Woods. "Hopefully that continues throughout the year."
WP welcomes back 16 letterwinners and seven starters from last fall, and will look to return the form that saw the Pioneers reach the 2010 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament final and NCAA Tournament first round.
FORWARDS
The Pioneers will be paced by three returning forwards, including last year's leading scorer, Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury). Marabondo is a two-time first-team all-region and all-NJAC selection who contributed 35 points (16 g, 3 a) last fall. She enters her senior season third in WP history in career goals (39), points (89) and game-winning goals (13).
Junior Sheray Anthony (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) and senior Laela Brock (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) look to repeat strong 2011 efforts. Anthony was second on the squad with five goals and tied for the team lead in assists (five). Brock, an honorable-mention all-NJAC selection, finished third on the squad with 11 points, adding three goals to her five assists.
Senior Erika Juricic (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown), who tallied two goals and an assist a year ago, and freshman Lindsey Capozzi (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) will also look to make an offensive impact on the pitch.
MIDFIELDERS
The midfield will have a bit of a non-traditional look again this year as Woods will elect to play with three center midfielders.
Leading the group is senior Nicole Kufel (Oradell, N.J./River Dell Regional), who gained value experience playing with the North Jersey Valkyries of the Women's Pro-Am Soccer League this summer. Kufel was an honorable-mention all-NJAC selection and scored one goal for the Pioneers in 2011.
Also stepping into leadership roles are senior Casey McGuigan (Hightstown, N.J./Robbinsville) and juniors Nicole Sullivan (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial), Kelly Garrido (Brick, N.J./Brick Twp.) and Jessica Skowronski (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford). McGuigan registered one assist last season, Sullivan collected three helpers, tying for fourth on the team, while Skowronski has worked her way back from an injury that cost her most of the 2011 campaign.
Freshmen Victoria Lopes (Union, N.J./Union Catholic Regional), Elena Grady (Washington Twp., N.J./Our Lady of Mercy Academy), and Gina Cowdrick (Island Heights, N.J./Central Regional) will also compete for time in the center of the field.
BACKS
The back line may be the biggest question mark for the Pioneers heading into the season as they attempt to replace a pair of graduated starters.
Junior Taylor Zabicki (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) will anchor the defense and move into a leadership role after starting 14 matches last season. Sophomore Alana Keffer (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Borough) will move to the back line after making 14 appearances at midfield in 2011, finding the back of the net once.
Senior Carlye Bianco (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) and junior Julia Siersema (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Borough) will see expanded roles this fall as anticipated starting outside backs.
Sophomore Shannon Maher (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert), who made two appearances last year, and newcomers Jackie Gage (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional), Brittany Santos (Kenilworth, N.J./David Brearley) and Allyson Vitrano (Galloway, N.J./Absegami) will add depth to the back line.
GOALKEEPERS
The 2012 season will feature something last season lacked: goalkeeper competition.
Former NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) will battle to keep her starting spot after compiling a 1.24 goals-against average and 12 shutouts in two seasons between the posts.
Junior Mary Jane Seiler (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville) has overcome the injuries that limited her the past two years, and has given Falduto stiff competition for the starting role. Freshman Kat Clint (Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive), an all-conference and all-county honoree in high school, will also battle for playing time.
