2008 Women's Soccer Preview
8/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Under the direction of second-year head coach Kazbek Tambi, the 2008 Seton Hall women’s soccer team prepares to take the next step of its new era. In his first season, the Pirates finished with three more wins than 2006 but completed the campaign one place shy in the National Division of competing in the BIG EAST Tournament.
“Last season was a learning experience for both the players and the coaches,” said Tambi. “The players were learning about me, I was learning about them, and together we were learning how to play competitive soccer in a tremendous league. This season, we should be a much more cohesive unit on the field.”
Esmeralda Negron will join Tambi on the bench as his top assistant for the second year. The
“Esmeralda gained a lot of experience in her first season as a coach,” Tambi noted. “Off the field, she has taken on the primary role of preparing the team for each game. On the field, she helps the players in a unique way. After recently playing at a high level internationally, she can demonstrate what she is teaching to the players.”
Joining Tambi and Negron on the bench will be second year assistant Fredy Guiran and rookie coach Skender Gega. Guiran was a two-time All-American at
“Fredy and Skender are in similar positions as Esmeralda, having played in higher levels other than college,” added Tambi. “With that being the case, they can see things very quickly on the field and make needed adjustments. In addition they can demonstrate what they are teaching to the players.”
Last season, the Pirates showed a lot of promise under Tambi and his assistants. Led by their defense, they slowed down the opposing offenses by producing a program record 0.80 goals against average. Senior goalkeeper Amanda Becker showed why she ranks as one of the top goaltenders in program history earning seven shutouts in her eight victories. Senior Alli Donofrio led the offense with five goals three game-winners and 12 points, while freshman Nicki Gross was right behind her with four goals and nine points.
Along with their on-field accomplishments, the Pirates also found success off the field. Following the end of last season, sophomore Katie Andreski was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District II Second Team, and the program received the Academic Progress Rate (APR) public recognition award from the NCAA for posting a score of 994 out of 1,000. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. It includes eligibility, retention, and graduation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
“What Katie achieved in the classroom and on the field was a tremendous honor for her,” said Tambi. “As a team, receiving the APR public recognition award was a great honor for this program. It showed we have a great team of players who are demonstrating that playing great soccer and achieving success in the classroom is definitely possible.”
Despite the graduation of eight seniors, including Becker and Donofrio, the Pirates retained All-BIG EAST Third Team defender Megan Mills as well as senior defender Anne Anders, both of whom were pivotal in keeping opponents to a 0.80 goals against average. Gross will also be returning for her sophomore season and will look to continue her collegiate success. With the leadership of this year’s captains Anders, Andreski, and Mills along with their top returnees, the Pirates will look to build upon last year’s success.
“The season will begin with our captains,” said Tambi. “We have three great personalities in Anne, Katie, and Megan so we’ll look for them to lend their leadership on and off the field. On the field, I want to see them get everyone excited to play hard each game and be role models in terms of execution. Off the field, I would like to see them keep the team focused and make sure the team does what it takes to enable us to push our program in the right direction.”
This season, the Pirates’ coaching staff brought in four freshmen to the front line and return their top player, sophomore Maddy Kill. Kill posted a team-high four assists and eight points, and will bring her experience to a young forward group as freshmen Wiebke Balcke, Christina Cinelli, Lauren Lehman, and Stephanie Soma will begin their Pirate careers and add depth.
“Maddy worked very hard in the spring and summer to provide herself a great opportunity to earn more playing time,” said Tambi. “As a coaching staff and team, we hope she can use her technical ability and speed to score many goals.”
In addition to Gross, the Pirates will return juniors Kaitlyn Rogers and Andreski to the midfield position. Together, the trio played in all 18 games and combined for eight goals and 22 points.
Also returning to the position will be senior Cassie Gioia and sophomore Alex Cumella, while newcomers Ashley Beamish, Caitlyn Milazzo, Megan Milazzo, and Taylor Wilson will make their push for playing time.
“Nicki, Kaitlyn, and Katie are just three of the many versatile players we have on our roster who can play forward and midfield,” said Tambi. “Together with Cassie, Alex, and the incoming freshmen, the midfield position will be very strong for us.”
Along with Anders and Mills anchoring the back line, the Pirates have junior Kirah Hiltz returning to a defense that posted the best goals against average in the history of the program a year ago. Hiltz is coming off a year where she made 14 appearances including two starts. Freshman Nicole Peterson will provide depth to the position.
Despite the loss of two goaltenders from 2007 including Becker, the Pirates will return freshman redshirt Elizabeth Bond, and have brought in a duo of newcomers to the position as freshmen Kiley Horne and Chelsea King will vie for playing time between the pipes.
“Amanda Becker is irreplaceable,” noted Tambi. “That being said, this is a tremendous opportunity for Elizabeth and the freshman to paint the picture of where they stand and demonstrate ultimately who can help us in the goal. I view it as a tremendous opportunity for them and our team rather than a big loss.”
With a great mix of upperclassmen and a young talented core of freshmen and sophomores, the women’s soccer team looks poised to reaching their ultimate goal.
“With the learning experience the coaches and the returning players picked up last year, and with the addition of a class of newcomers, we should all be ready for an exciting season,” concluded Tambi. “My hope is we come out every game and challenge ourselves and each opponent by playing an attractive game of soccer to achieve results.”
