Season Preview: Women's soccer eyes winning season, improve in NEAC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Gallaudet University women's soccer program is looking to take the next step in its development as it enters the 2011 season. Last year, the Bison lost seven of its 11 losses by one goal and posted a 4-7 record in its first year as members of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC). The Bison just missed out on a playoff spot.

The women's soccer team did finish the 2010 campaign with an overall record of 7-11 as the seven wins tied the program's record set in 2002. The Buff and Blue also scored 48 goals in the 18 games to set a new program mark surpassing the 42 goals netted by the 2002 team.

"Our goal is to have a winning season and finish in the top three in the NEAC," said Gallaudet women's soccer head coach Sarah Gumina, who enters her fourth straight year at the helm and fifth overall as she coached the 2002 team.

Graduate assistant Liza Offreda is back for her second year assisting the team.

FORWARDS

Two of the top four leading scorers from last season are back at the forward position in junior Johanna Arrigo (Ewing, N.J.) and sophomore Lauren Hostovsky (Medfield, Mass.). Arrigo netted seven goals and three assists in 18 games started last season while Hostovsky made 12 starts, saw action in 17 games, and scored six goals and three assists.

"Johanna should lead our offense in scoring opportunities this season. She is a seasoned veteran that has experience at the position. We are hoping for a great year from her," said Gumina.

"Lauren has great potential and I am looking for her to step up this year and be one of the leading scorers on the team."

The pair is joined up front by a new face on the soccer field in sophomore Britny Latham (Cleveland, Tenn.). Latham is not a stranger to GU athletics as she was a guard on last year's women's basketball team. She is overcoming an injury she suffered last season on the court.

MIDFIELD

There are some big shoes to fill at midfield this season after losing senior Virginia Keeler, the team's leading scorer (16 goals, 36 points) and an all-conference second team honoree from last season. Juniors Tiffany Narciso (North Wildwood, N.J.), Maddie Morgan (Hockessin, Del.) and Maggie Hoyt (Edgecomb, Maine) and will be looked upon to set the example and lead this unit this season. Narciso was the third leading scorer on the Bison last season with six goals and four assists while Morgan added five goals and two assists.

"This group is going to set the tone for this season. Game-to-game we are looking for the midfield to create offensive opportunities when we have the ball," said Gumina.

The trio will not be alone as sophomores Monique Balcarcel (Lansing, Mich.) and Taryn Philippi (St. Cloud, Minn.) are back and ready to see more time on the field. Freshman Katie Benz (Stafford, Va.) should make an immediate impact for the Bison as she demonstrated in the training camp she has a nose for the goal.

"As a freshmen coming in we are looking to her to step in where Virginia left off," said Gumina.

DEFENSE

Four-year starter Janaee Cobbs (Sacramento, Calif.), who enters her senior season, will anchor the Bison defense. She started all 18 games last season for the Buff and Blue. The unit is a good mix of young and experienced players.

"Janaee will be the leader of our defense as a senior," said Gumina. "She is a four-year starter that communicates well to the defense. She knows the expectations for the defensive unit and where the defenders should be positioned. She can teach the newcomers the role of their position."

Junior Connor Crawford (Palatka, Fla.) and sophomore Lauren Sprague (Grafton, Mass.) logged valuable minutes on defense last season and will be looked upon to contribute this season. Freshmen Elena Ciccarelli (Whitesboro, N.Y.) and junior Shea Rasmus (Fremont, Calif.) are new to the team but both are imposing forces on defense. GU women's basketball guard Stephanie Weiss (Wellington, Fla.) joins the team this season and will add some quickness on defense.

"We have a very competitive young group that brings an aggressive approach to taking on new challenges," said Gumina.

GOALIE

The Bison will be without the services of its all-conference second team goalie Kara Gulvas (Crown Point, Ind.) this season as she continues to recover from a season-ending injury from last season. Gumina and the Bison welcome back senior goalie Casey McCullough (Oceanside, Calif.) to man the goal this year.

"With Kara being out this season we are turning to Casey to anchor the defense in the goal. She is a veteran that knows the position and we have faith she will step up," said Gumina.

McCullough last played for the Bison in 2009 where she saw action in nine games and started one. She made 44 saves in nearly 380 minutes played. She also suited for Gallaudet women's soccer in 2008.

SCHEDULE

GU's season begins under the lights on Thursday, September 1, at 7:30 p.m. against cross-town rival Catholic University of America. That is the only home game for the Bison during the month of September. GU will then participate in a weekend tournament at nearby Trinity (D.C.) College on September 10 and 11. The next two weeks feature tough road games against Penn St.-Harrisburg (September 17) in the conference opener. Gallaudet then makes the short trip to Arlington, Va., to face former Capital Athletic Conference foe Marymount (Va.) University (September 21) before hitting the road for a key conference weekend against defending NEAC champion Keuka and at Wells on September 24 and 25, respectively.

The Bison begin the month of October with four consecutive homes games starting against SUNYIT and SUNY Cobleskill on October 1 and 2, respectively, followed by a conference game against Wilson (October 5) and St. Elizabeth (October 8). GU is back on the road October 15 and 16 for two conference games before returning home for a big NEAC game against Penn St.-Berks (October 21) on Homecoming Weekend. The Bison close out the regular-season schedule with home games against Lancaster Bible (October 25) and Penn St.-Abington (October 29) with a road game at Salem International (October 26) squeezed in. The NEAC tournament begins the first week of November.

SUMMARY

A younger Bison team learned a lot of lessons last season and showed they could compete in the NEAC. GU lost its top scorer but have several main contributors back, who should make a bigger impact on the field for the Buff and Blue this season. If the Bison can erase half of those one-goal losses from last season then this team will be able to reach the goals they have mapped out for this season.

"We are looking to step up and finish in the top three this year in the conference," said Gumina. "We have a very competitive schedule and high expectations this year. We want to make the conference tournament and see where that takes us."