MIDDLETOWN, PA- There's no doubt that success is quickly becoming the norm for Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer team. In each of the past two seasons, Head Coach Mark Brown's squad reached the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) championship game. The magical 2009 campaign ended with a title. Last year, the Lady Lions fell one win short of making it two in a row.
This year should prove no different as Brown's ladies look to regain their championship form this fall. Five returnees head up a team that went 12-6-3 in 2010, with an impressive 8-2-1 record in NEAC play. Senior defender and second team all-conference selection Lacy Eitl (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) and sophomore defender/midfielder and third team all-conference selection Kara Hoy (Camp Hill, PA/Camp Hill) are back. Their presence, along with that of senior forward/midfielder Jessie Manion (North Wales, PA/North Penn High), junior defender Jordyn Cooper (Pittsfield, MA/Wahconah), and sophomore midfielder Sarah Magnuson (Bangor, PA/Bangor), gives PSH some valuable experience heading into the upcoming season.
The Lions also have an influx of talented newcomers who will see immediate playing time. Ashley Pittman (Redmond, WA/Bear Creek), Bridget Brady (Boyertown, PA/Brandywine Heights) and Lindsey Haldeman (Grantville, PA/Hershey Christian) will help sure up the defense. Kylie Starkey (Troy, PA/Troy Area), Kylee Orriss (Cave Creek, AZ/Cactus Shadows), Alli Trutt (Halifax, PA/Halifax), Lauren Ertle (Morristown, NJ/Morristown) and Caitlin Hostetter (Camp Hill, PA/Camp Hill) will split time at midfield. Forwards Nikki Francis (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) and Tatiana Fleetwood-Mack (Allentown, PA/Louis E. Dieruff) will add to the offensive output while two freshmen keepers, Tina Martino (Essington, PA/Interboro) and Janelle Hammond (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff), look to lock things down in goal.
With all these young players joining an already solid nucleus from last year, assembling talent isn't an issue. Instead, building team chemistry will be a top priority. Brown, the 2009 NEAC Coach of the Year, was asked what else he would be focusing on in preseason practice. His answer was direct and to the point.
"The simple response would be everything that is needed to get us ready for the season."
If the coach's "enough is never enough" type of coaching philosophy has any kind of trickle-down effect, expect more big things from his players on the pitch this fall.
As far as competition goes, the NEAC's top teams from a year ago should once again be potential roadblocks to the Lady Lions title aspirations. SUNYIT, Penn State Berks and the other back-to-back conference finals participant and last year's champion, Keuka, expect to spoil PSH's bid for a third straight title game appearance. But Brown isn't looking ahead to any one opponent. He knows every squad provides top notch competition.
"We approach every game as being the toughest game of the season," he said. "It would be disrespectful to place some teams ahead of others in this category. They will all be tough."
When asked about goals and expectations for the upcoming campaign, the skipper emphasized the team aspect of the game and that he expects continued success both on the field and in the classroom.
"Every player in my opinion makes an impact," said Brown. "I want my players to grow as young women while they see success academically and athletically at Penn State Harrisburg. I also expect the team to be recognized academically on campus and beyond."
The Lady Lions kick off their season with a road contest against Mt. Aloysius on Saturday, Sept. 3. Their much anticipated home opener gets underway one week later when they host Philadelphia Biblical University on Saturday, Sept. 10.