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With 15 returning players, SLU women's soccer team opens season against John Jay College Saturday

Posted 8/31/12

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence University women's soccer team is set to open its 2012 season on Saturday against John Jay College at Sandy MacAllaster Field. Head Coach Franco Bari will turn to his 15 …

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With 15 returning players, SLU women's soccer team opens season against John Jay College Saturday

Posted

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence University women's soccer team is set to open its 2012 season on Saturday against John Jay College at Sandy MacAllaster Field.

Head Coach Franco Bari will turn to his 15 returners to set the tone for the season as his team looks to continue its success and challenge for a Liberty League title.

"We often discuss our goals in terms of performance in the pre-season, September season, October season and post-season," said Bari, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the women's program.

"Annually, we continue to set a higher standard than in the past and this year will be no exception. We are coming off of a relatively successful season and our drive is to continue with forward momentum."

St. Lawrence, which went 8-6-3 with a Liberty League tournament semifinal appearance last season, also welcomed 13 newcomers to the squad that will add depth as it focuses on group play in 2012. Seniors Stephanie Sayward and Brooke Hessney, along with junior Corinne Werner, will serve as captains as the upperclassmen have already set a high tone for the season.

"We have quite a few players who will be able to contribute on both sides of the ball," said Bari. "This team is working very well collectively and the overall work rate has been outstanding. While there has been a bit of a learning curve for the first-years, they have been assimilating into the system of play quite well. In addition, the returners have done a fantastic job of setting a high standard while supporting the first-years."

Sayward, last season's leading scorer, will anchor the Saints offense as she tallied 10 goals in 2011 to move up to ninth on the program's all-time scoring list. Though St. Lawrence lost its next three point contributors to graduation, Bari expects additional offensive contributions on the front line from Hessney, sophomores Mackenzie Collins, Nyssa LaClair and Meg Ryan. First-year students Mimi Coppinger and Samantha Rock will also help in pacing the attack.

Junior Julia Friesen will lead a solid group of midfielders that includes junior Erika Gobielle, who may also see time at forward and sophomore Laura Topf, who may also see time at back. First-year student Amanda Hamilton will add speed on the offensive end, while sophomore Holly Wark and first-year student Emily DePoy are expected to provide strong defensive support in front the backs. First-year students Caroline Crandall, Lilla Beres and Grace Lennon will add depth to the Saints midfield.

Werner will organize a strong defensive unit, which limited its opposition to 7.29 shots per game in 2011. Joining her will be junior Liz Laprade, sophomore Elena Dauphinais and first-years Hannah Calvelli and Adrianna Morra. First-year students Emma Fleming, Elizabeth Wilkerson and Katelyn Daley will add depth along with sophomore Meagan Gadzuk-Shea, who may also see time at midfield. Senior Emily Marvin and sophomore Emily Lloyd, currently battling injury, will also add talent on the defensive end when they return to full health.

Three solid goalkeepers will look to fill the gap left by four-year All-Conference honoree Abby van Geldern. Junior Andrea Strauss, sophomore Alexandra Weatherbie and first-year Kelsey West are all capable of seeing time in goal this season.

The Saints will host John Jay as part of the annual North Country Classic at noon, with Clarkson and Ohio Wesleyan squaring off in game two on Saturday at 2:30. St. Lawrence will play Ohio Wesleyan at 1:30 on Sunday, while Clarkson will take on John Jay at 3:00.