MIDDLETOWN, PA - With six starters returning after the program´s first playoff game in school history during the 2008 season, the Penn State Harrisburg women´s soccer team looks to "step-it-up-a-notch" for the 2009 campaign. A solid core of returners and a flood of talented newcomers, head coach Mark Brown and the Lady Lions have the framework of a genuine contender for the programs first-ever North Eastern Athletic Conference championship.
"This year´s team has more depth," said head coach Mark Brown, "the girls coming in have more high school experience and want to play at a higher level of soccer; where in the past we would just have a few talented girls and then girls with little to no experience."
With seven wins last year, the Lady Lions set a new single season mark along with many other impressive feats. In a 12-1 victory over Wilson College in October, the Lady Lions set a new single game record for goals in a game. The blue and white also shattered the previous single season team record for goals with 42, as well as the single season team record for assists with 21. All this was accomplished with only one senior on the roster.
This year´s returning class, with a year of experience under their belt, is highlighted by NEAC all-conference players Adrienne Stine (York, PA/Northeastern) and Lindsey Stauffer (Harrisburg, PA/Bishop McDevitt). Stine, a second team selection, was the Lady Lions leading scorer and is joined by the blue and white´s third leading scorer, sophomore Allie Rank (Halifax, PA/Halifax), at midfield. Stauffer, a third team selection as a defender, was the Lady Lions second leading scorer and is joined by four year starter, Amanda Basile(Allentown, PA/Emmaus). Also returning to the lineup are Jessica Manion (North Wales, PA/North Penn), Lacey Eltl (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen), Angela Gilmore (Millersburg, PA/Millersburg) and Sarah Bellido(Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley).
"I expect my sophomores to take their experience from last year and really step up. Among the returners, I expect there to be leadership among them and for them to push the younger girls to really turn this program around for years to come," comments Brown.
Newcomers entering their first year at Penn State Harrisburg are Shelly Erb (Jonestown, PA/Northern Lebanon), Jordyn Cooper (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional), Lindsay McNeal (Hershey, PA/Hershey), Brittany Adams (Dillsburg, PA/Northern), Megan Frailey (Middletown, PA/Middletown), Corinne Mazzotta(Haddam,CT/Haddam-Killingworth), Valerie Calvano (Haymarket, VA/Battlefield) and Allison Collins(Mechanicsburg, PA/Bishop McDevitt). "Look for Mazzotta, McNeal and Frailey to make a huge impact and change the style of play with their technical skills, toughness and hard work," states Brown.
The Lady Lions start their season with seven out of their first eight games at home. "Same as the guys, I wanted my freshmen to get settled into the college life. Being on the road tends to take away from some of their college experience," said Brown, who is also the head coach of men´s soccer program at Penn State Harrisburg. "With the light travel in the beginning of the season and the high quality talent we have this year, I expect for us to be challenging and make a good push at the NEAC championship."
Looking to continue their two years of dominance, Keuka College pursues their third NEAC conference championship in a row. Runner-ups, SUNY Cobleskill, look to return to the championship game after their first season in Division III play. Joining the NEAC for the 2009 season are newcomers, Penn State Abington, St. Elizabeth College and SUNY Morrisville.
The Lady Lions open the 2009 season at home against Valley Forge Christian College on Tuesday, September 1st at 4:00 P.M.