Aug. 22, 2004

The Siena College women's soccer program took a major step forward in 2003. Head Coach Steve Karbowski who enters his sixth season as head coach at Siena College, led the squad to its nine win season, but was also disappointed in missing the MAAC tournament with a 5th place finish. With the graduation of 11 seniors there are many spots to fill. Karbowski has assembled a roster that boasts six seniors and expressed that the 2004 class could be one of the best of his tenure; consisting of eight players and a transfer. This class is deep in the midfield, an area where the Saints will capitalize in strength. Defensively, the Saints remain a strong team allowing just 24 goals last season. The greatest improvement in 2003 was offensively, scoring 33 goals. Six of the top seven scoring leaders return, including the starting forwards and leading scorers, tri-captain Erin DeMatteo and All-rookie team selection Kristen Turner. Karbowski will have many weapons to choose from in 2004 including the return of leading goal scorer Erin DeMatteo. The Saints also return 2003 senior defender Jen Kies, who was named to the 2004 All MAAC Preseason team and senior goalkeeper Noel Cox, Forwards: Loads of Leadership Top 2 scorers return. Erin DeMatteo had a break out season scoring nine goals, a season high over the last 5 years. Erin was healthy for an entire season for the first time and her confidence grew. She is developing a knack for being in the right spot and finding the ball in front of the net. Her partner up top for most of the season was Kristen Turner, who ranked 11th in the country in assists per game, eight in 13 games. Turner suffered an ankle injury just prior to MAAC play and only returned for the final three games at less than 100%, still came up with three assists in an important game against Manhattan. Up front the Saints will have Alicia Lackey, transfer from Fordham Sarah Hopkins and freshman Susie Blaisdell. Lackey had a strong Spring and will move to see more time as a forward from her outside midfield position. She has a great shot and will be moved into more scoring situations around the goal. Hopkins joins the Saint after leading Fordham in scoring as a freshman. Sarah is a dynamic offensive player and can play as a forward or central midfielder. She is a goal scorer, but her unselfishness will create many opportunities for her teammates. Blaisdell will add depth up front as a very athletic player with a good understanding of how to play with in a system. Midfield: Added Experience The midfield will see the most changes from 2003. Regular starters from last season, Megan Helf and Katie Ferry return, but many new faces will be competing for playing time. Helf will likely maintain a starting spot in the middle. Megan is a powerful dribbler, but still very agile and elusive. With some tactical improvements in the final third Megan will make a major impact in her sophomore season. Ferry on the outside will give her a great chance to hold her spot. She can run the width as well as anyone and has become much more confident. Returners Gianna Ferranti and Erin Morine will also contribute in the midfield. Gianna is exclusively in the center midfield and will see her action there. Ferranti strikes a great ball and a is a solid possession player. Morine has developed confidence in the off season and is very comfortable on the outside midfield. After a solid freshman season she will likely make a much greater impact for the Saints. Newcomers in the midfield consist of Amy Loughridge, Kara Sefcik, Madeline Rickard, Katie Mulligan and Katie Goodwin. Loughridge is a fierce competitor who is at her best in the middle of the field. Sefcik is a crafty, skillful player that will provide toughness and possession. Mulligan is a technical, skillful player that will play on the outside. Goodwin will also be used on the outside in the midfield and as a defender, another physically tough player with good technical ability. Defense: Who's new? The defense will be led by tri-captain and left back Jen Kies. Jen is a great athlete with great speed and is tough to get by. During her junior year she got more involved offensively, scoring two goals and adding two assists. Brandie Petrie will step in at the center of the defense. Petrie earned valuable playing time as a freshman and is a very composed player. Corry Silon is coming off her best season and gives a phys ical presence from the stopper spot. Silon is also very adept at starting the attack with her ability to distribute. Freshman Katie McManus may be best suited to play a stopper role with her aggressive play and nice technical ability. On the right side the competition will be between freshman Tara Ross, sophomore Lauren Stys and junior Anna Revette. Ross has great speed and will need to adjust to a new team and the college game. Stys played in every game, but one, last season and earned valuable experience mostly as a central defender. Revette is perhaps the most improved player on the team and will have the opportunity to earn quality playing this season. Goalkeepers: Remember me? Tri-captain Noel Cox returns for her final season. Cox had a solid 2003 season after suffering a broken finger in the preceding summer. She looks to return to her 2002 Goal Keeper of the year form. Senior Krista Nordmark, is the tandem of Cox. Nordmark is as strong as any in the conference; she will have her opportunities to earn minutes. Sophomore Carey Winkler has been making progress playing behind Cox and Nordmark. With a strong season of training Winkler will earn more playing time; a means to get the starting spot for 2005.