2014 Schedule | 2014 Roster

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Introduction:
After two straight years of qualifying for the Northeast-10 Conference Championship Final, the Adelphi University women's soccer hopes to make 2014 the "third time is a charm" and bring home the NE-10 Championship trophy. An always difficult task with the competition in the conference, the previous experience of the past two years as well as added youth could be the exact formula the Panthers need to reach and go beyond their goals.

"Our goal is clear; we will have to work extremely hard to get back to the NE-10 Championship Final game. And then, will have to go above and beyond to lift the trophy," said head coach Chris Armas.

Returners:
One of the top newcomers in the all of the region is senior goalkeeper Sam Whitney, headlining a class of six seniors. Whitney has continued to develop at her position, earning herself the conference Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2013 as well as a Second-Team selection to both the Daktronics and NSCAA All-Region teams.

Joining Whitney on both the NE-10 Conference First-Team and NSCAA Second-Team All-Region, Donna Liotine is a defensive midfielder who started all 21 games a year ago. She brings leadership to the middle of the field and will be a positive influence for her teammates.

Also starting all 21 games last season, midfielder Michelle Brown enters her third season as a Panther. Another All-Conference member last season, a Third-Team recipient, Brown joins Liotine as a strong presence in the middle to help create opportunities for their teammates.

Amanda Reverberi returns this season after missing action in 2013. In her one year thus far in the Brown and Gold, Reverberi started 17 games in the midfield during 2012 and recorded two goals and two assists.

Adding depth to the defensive unit are Erin Carey and Samantha Jehle, both looking to push those around them for time.

The biggest returning group this season is the junior class, featuring nine individuals.

Forward Olivia Czavar shared the team-high of 21 points last season behind nine goals and three assists. She also added two game-winners and will again be counted on this year for ability to score and press the defense.

Starting all 21 games last season for the defensive unit, Taylor Groth and Taylor Salmon will help to anchor a defense that allowed just 16 goals, including none in any overtime period throughout the year.

Offering versatility in the middle is Melissa Rubin. Starting 18 games a year ago while playing in all 21 contests, Rubin will help transition and win balls in the middle for the Panthers.

Playing and starting in just 13 games last season, Samantha Lanza still managed to score two goals and an assist for five points. Hoping to be in for the whole schedule this season, expect Lanza to put up similar numbers.

Adding value in key spots, Melissa Duarte, Bianca Lastra and Kelsey Malles bring a balance to the offense and midfield play. Each will take the open shot and if not creating scoring opportunities for themselves, but for surrounding teammates. Lastra looks to build off of her overtime winner during the NE-10 Championship semifinal last season.

Being able to play both the midfield and up top, Christina Dutcher is pushing for advanced playing time in her third season after solid experience her first two years as she has looked sharp early on.

Five returning sophomores hope to capitalize and enjoy continued success in their second years.

Victoria Antonino was a breakout performer for the Panthers in 2013, sharing the team lead of 21 goals with eight goals and five assists that including three game-winners and a spot of the NE-10 All-Rookie Team. Expect another such performance for the sophomore in 2014.

Gaining valuable experience last season was Meaghan Simmonds, Kelsey Simpson, and Sarah Rose Barone Stern. Simmonds made seven starts throughout 15 appearances, Simpson scored two goals in 17 in games played and Barone Stern was named NE-10 Rookie of the Week after scoring the overtime winner against Franklin Pierce.

The lone goalie next to Whitney, Hiersche will continue to be prepared for minutes when needed in the between the posts.

Newcomers:
The class consists of two Division I transfers in sophomores Molly Warren and Laura Gomez along with freshmen Jeanine Nunez, Monica DiDonato, Annie Teri, Lauren Viggiano and Sage Dieterle.

Warren has already experienced time with the Brown and Gold after transferring to Garden City this past January from the University of Connecticut, gaining valuable Division I experience. Prior to joining the Huskies, she played three years of varsity soccer at Warwick Valley.

Gomez as well brings Division I experience to Adelphi after a year at Central Connecticut State where she played in 17 games and made two starts to register one goal. She was a member of the Deer Park varsity program prior to joining the Blue Devils and earned first team All-Country honors. She has the ability to be elusive in the top third of the field and utilize her strong left foot.

A highly decorated individual from Staten Island, Nunez was a three-sport athlete in high school playing basketball and softball along with soccer. She was part of ACIS and PSAA championship teams at Staten Island Academy while earning PSAA Championship MVP honors in 2012. She has a tireless work ethic and is another individual who can create opportunities.

DiDonato is an experienced midfielder from Eastchester High School, just north of New York City, with success on the club level as well with the FC Sting 95 United and FC Westchester Elite 95 squads. She is described as an attacking midfielder with a high soccer IQ.

Another Long Island product for the Brown and Gold is Teri out Northport in Suffolk County. She brings speed and a high IQ for where to be positioned to be in the right spot at the right time.

The lone defender joining in 2014, Viggiano was named captain and MVP at Archbishop Molloy her senior season along with a NCHSAA All-League Girls Soccer Award. She will bring strength and toughness to the Panther backline.

Coming on as of late for the Panthers was Dieterle, who is a feisty, attacking player that can get behind the defense. She has the ability to create action as a forward.

Summation:
As previously mentioned the Panthers are looking to push through the NE-10 Championship Final wall and bring the trophy back to Garden City as well as earn a second straight appearance to the NCAA Tournament field. However, coach Armas and his team are aware of the competition in the conference and region and that every game on this year's schedule will be a test and way to continually improve.

"After seeing our group for the first two weeks here, there are many positives and still much to work on," said Armas. "That being said, this group, in my four years here thus far, is at the highest starting point I've seen in terms of togetherness, ability, and work ethic. Now, the fun question is, where will it take us?"

The Panthers are slated to open the 2014 campaign this Thursday, September 4 with a home contest starting at 2:30 pm versus non-conference foe Chestnut Hill.