Women's Soccer Ready to Start Season

Tue, 11/01 | Women's Soccer vs. Mitchell L, 2-0 (Final) BX | RC | PH
Mon, 10/24 | Women's Soccer vs. Lesley L, 1-0 (Final) BX
Sat, 10/22 | Women's Soccer at Newbury L, 6-1 (Final) BX
Tue, 10/18 | Women's Soccer at Becker L, 6-1 (Final) BX | RC
Wed, 10/12 | Women's Soccer vs. Elms L, 4-0 (Final) BX | RC
Sat, 10/08 | Women's Soccer at Bay Path W, 2-1 (Final) BX | RC
Sat, 10/01 | Women's Soccer vs. Daniel Webster W, 1-0 (Final) BX | RC
Thu, 09/29 | Women's Soccer vs. Mills (Cancelled)
Sun, 09/25 | Women's Soccer at Mitchell L, 5-0 (Final) BX
Tue, 09/20 | Women's Soccer vs. New England Col. L, 2-0 (Final) BX | RC

August 31, 2011

Women's Soccer Ready to Start Season

BENNINGTON, Vt.- The Southern Vermont College Women's Soccer team will enter the 2011 season with a new look on the sideline. First year head coach, Michael Zauzig took over the program in March and has only brought positives to the program thus far. After a successful spring season under Zauzig, the team returns five key players coupled with a strong freshman class.

NECC Honorable mention goalkeeper Catrina Cecchini and 2nd team All-Conference member Shawnee Webster are among the key returners. Junior defender Danielle Celotto also returns along with Whitney Cole and captain Joellen Demers.

SVC was chosen tenth in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) pre-season poll amongst the 10 team conference. However, the Mountaineers are looking to make major strides forward in 2011 with a roster filled with competitive soccer players. Southern Vermont opens their season Thursday September 1^st at Pine Manor College. The Mountaineers open its home schedule on Sunday the 4^th with kickoff at 2:00PM versus Wells College.

Goalkeepers:

Catrina Cecchini finished the 2010 season with a remarkable 301 saves. The honorable mention member played in every game for the Mountaineers a season ago. This season Cecchini will share time with sophomore transfer Kelsey Rogers. Rogers an All-State selection at Hoosick Fall High School will push the level of play from the SVC goalkeepers.

"We are fortunate to have two quality goalkeepers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience. I look forward to having these two keepers provide us with depth and stability." said Zauzig of his goalie situation.

Defenders:

A two time SVC Most Valuable Defender Danielle Celotto will be a main fixture for the Mountaineers defense. In her two seasons in a Southern Vermont uniform Celotto has started 30 games as a defender. Fellow defender Whitney Cole returns for SVC after a successful 2010 season. Captain Joellen Demers will make a transition in 2011 from the midfield to defense. Demers started in every game a season ago for SVC.

Tabitha Collins is a freshman that will prove to be a solid player for SVC's defense. With a solid experience core in Celotto, Demers, and Cole, Collins will be the finishing touch for a firm defense. Samantha Hastings will also see time as a defender in 2011.

"Our defense has depth, experience, and most importantly the ability to communicate. They've done a tremendous job working with our younger players and providing direction."

Midfield:

A position that will be interchangeable in a lot of aspects for Zauzig will be his midfield. In 2011 multiple players will see time in the midfield depending on the game. However, freshman Krysten Runci and Samantha Hastings will give the Mountaineers solid minutes in the midfield. Runci a defensive minded midfielder has experience at the club level that will prove to be important for the success this season.

Chelsea Malone and Jyline Varin are freshman midfielders who will give SVC quality minutes on the outside as well as in the middle.

Webster an all conference member two years in a row as a forward will also give the Mountaineers minutes in the midfield. A solid player who has the ability to possess the ball and score Webster will be a key to the SVC offense.

"Our younger players give Shawnee the support that she needs in the attack. I'm confident that our midfield will not only possess, but create scoring opportunities."

Forward:

With Webster seeing some time in the middle of the field, freshman Taylor Grover and Connor Crawford have the ability to make an immediate impact. An aspect of the game that the Mountaineers struggled with in 2010 was scoring goals. In 2011 with the additions of Grover and Crawford that issue has the possibility of being long gone.

"Taylor and Connor are attacking minded players with the ability to create. They've displayed the ability to incorporate their teammates into the attack as well as creating chances on their own." said Zauzig about his forwards.