Shorewomen soccer hopes to match record-breaking season

edited.WomensSoccer_ToriZieminski-19By Isabella Sansanelli 

Sports Editor

The Washington College Women’s Soccer team will have a lot to live up to after completing their record-breaking 2018 season.

The team finished their last season with a final record of 8-6-1, remaining unbeaten in non-conference play, 4-0-1, and picking up their most ever conference wins of four  victories.  These victories include astounding wins over big-name conference contenders such as Gettysburg College, Muhlenberg College, Bryn Mawr College, and Franklin & Marshall College.

The team will hope to find continued success under the leadership of head coach Tom Reilly, entering his third year of coaching the Shorewomen, along with Assistant Coach Molly Kovarik and three assistant volunteer coaches including Dawn Reilly, Karen Erhensbeck and Marsia Atkins.

The Shorewomen will strive to attain such a record-breaking season as their 2018 campaign despite the loss of their incredibly strong senior class.  This includes the twin duo of Ariana and Olivia Sabatino, who both hold the record for most total goals scored during their collegiate career at WC.  Additionally the team lost goalkeeper Courtney Colbert, who holds the record for goals-against, and midfielders Lindsay Russell, Picabo French and Lauren Neary.

However, despite the loss, Coach Reilly is confident that the success of the team will remain unchanged.

“While we will miss our alums, the current group is anxious to prove last year was no fluke and that Shorewomen Soccer will continue it’s upward trend.” said Reilly. “We have a very talented roster and I believe it’s the deepest player pool the program has ever had.”

As the 2019 season is well underway, the Shorewomen will rely on new senior captains Maia Duval and Cayla Marcinko to lead the team in another victorious season.

Adding to the strength of the new senior class are forward Tatiana Baughman, who competed in five games for the Shorewomen in their 2018 season; midfielder/forward Megan Klink, who will be returning to the squad after facing injury for the entirety of the 2018 season; midfielder/forward Parker Morris, who competed in 10 games last season and notched her first collegiate goal and the backs Bryanna Rupprecht and Maddie Noonan, who appeared in six and ten matches, respectively.

A small trio will rise to complete the junior class this fall, including Annalie Buscarino who appeared in 12 games, 10 of them starts and held the team best in goal during that time.  She also earned her second-ever Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week Award. Additionally, junior Brenda Clark garnered five shutouts in 15 games played during the 2018 season and Sara Douglas notched two goals, three assists and seven points in her 13 games played last season.

In terms of a sophomore class, the team is excited to welcome back Emily Jacoby, who led the team in points and assists — 20 and eight respectively — and garnering a spot on the All- Centennial Conference Honorable Mention, all while leading the conference in assists and placing seventh in points.  Forward Erin O’Reilly tied Jacoby is leading goal-scorer and earned 15 points for the Shorewomen throughout last season, placing her at the third-highest on the team and also earning the Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week recognition.

Sophomore midfielder Bess Mascone will also be returning after scoring one goal and starting in all 15 matches during the 2018 season.  Midfielder/defender Peri Bertolami makes her return after playing in 13 games last season and midfielder Kelsey Hall after scoring one goal in 12 games played in 2018.  Goalie Noah Smith played six games in 2018 and midfielder Brianna Parise had two assists and appeared in 14 matches in 2018.  Lastly, sophomore defender Keelie Verbeek will be making her first appearance as a part of the Shorewomen Soccer Program this fall.

The Shorewomen took on a freshman- heavy roster this year as they welcomed defenders Katie Brennan, Rachel Chatfield, midfielder/defender Elena Hilario, midfielders Katie King, Lauren Maynor, Ellie Morrall, forward/ midfielder Paige O’Connell and forward Gillian Slavick.

“Our goal is to compete with the best teams in the Centennial Conference, but we also want to play attractive, attacking soccer in a style that is fun for our players to play and for the spectators to watch,” Reilly said.

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