Women’s Soccer Gears Up for Home Opener
(September 1, 2009) - Head coach Katie Keogh and the Green Mountain College women's soccer team is set to launch into their 2009 season on the heels of a successful 2008 campaign. During their inaugural season in the North Atlantic Conference, GMC finished (9-9) overall and (4-4) in conference play while advancing to the semi-final round of the NAC tournament.
The Eagles open their season Wednesday, Septmber 2nd when they host the Colby-Sawyer College Chargers at 3:30 pm.
After a 12 day training camp which including a trip to Rhode Island for a pair of pre-season matches, the Eagles enter the 2009 fray when they host Colby-Sawyer College on Wednesday, September 2nd at 3:30 pm. Coach Keogh is encouraged by the progress her young squad has made over the last week. "The trip to Rhode Island not only allowed us to gain valuable match experience, but it was an opportunity for the ladies to begin to gel as a group and get to know each other, which is certainly a challenge when you have a number of new players. They have worked extremely hard and come November, we hope to be making a run at the conference title."
The 2009 squad will take on a different look after the departure of a number of senior starters. Sophomore Karen Davidson (Seymour, CT) returns in goal for the Eagles. During her first season, she tallied 149 saves while playing over 1600 minutes in 18 matches.
In the back co-captains, junior Corey Gilbert (Henniker, NH) and senior Katie Jablonski (West Rutland, VT) will be counted on to shore up the defensive unit and provide leadership. Joining them is sophomore Emily Heale (East Bethany, NY), freshman Casey McGill (King of Prussia, PA) and Kiley Palin (Williamstown, VT).
Sophomore Erin Burch (Lebanon, CT) will play an important role for the Eagles in the midfield this season where she will be joined by junior transfer Neida Soto (Marietta, GA). Rounding out the midfield corps are freshman Lindsey Tassie (Willaimstown, VT), sophomore Celie Dagasse (St. Petersburg, FL), freshman Emma Lord (Greenville, NY), and junior Maggie Scherer (Trumansburg, NY).
2008 NAC All-Conference 1st-Team forward Taylor Riso (Portland, OR) will once again be asked to shoulder the goal-scoring load for the Eagles. During her first season, the sophomore tallied a team-high 13 goals, seven coming during conference play. "In order for us to continue our success and challenge for a conference title, Taylor will need to continue to score goals and provide more vocal leadership this season," said Keogh. Joining her up top will be junior Brittany Roberts (Fair Haven, VT) and freshman Kimberly Blank (West Lebanon, NY).
Joining coach Keogh on the sidelines this year is 1st year assistant coach Rob Labate. Coach Labate, also the GMC men's lacrosse coach, played collegiate soccer at Castleton where he excelled as a goalkeeper. He also served as an assistant coach for his alma mater from 1998-2000. Keogh stated, "With Coach Labate's experience and knowledge of GMC athletics, he'll be an immediate asset to the program. I'm excited to have him on the sidelines with me, and lucky to have someone of his caliber on my staff."
The Eagles open NAC play on Saturday, September 19th when they host in-state rival Johnson St. at 3:30 pm.
