Aug. 28, 2009

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's soccer team gears up for its season and home opener tomorrow, August 29, as they play host to Philadelphia University at 1:00 p.m.

As the Panthers make the jump into the NE-10, the 2009 women's soccer team is up for the challenge. The team returns a deep starting roster, and will look to several key players to make an immediate impact on the young squad. Veteran assistant coach Kara Gazzano, now in her 10th season working with the Panthers' goalkeepers, is optimistic about this year's team.

"The jump to the NE-10 is going to be excellent for the school, and we are really looking forward to it," stated Gazzano, " The competition is going to be tough, and we will have to play on our toes. The teams in the NE-10 are much faster than the teams we are used to, and our team is excited to step up to the challenge."

On the front line, the team will look to juniors Kim Volinski and Brianne McDonnell to put the ball in the net as well as freshmen Emily Masiello and Alison Gronenthal. Volinski and McDonnell will fill the shoes of three-year starter, and East Coast Conference Third-team selection in 2008, Erin Klimkowski, who graduated last spring. McDonnell was selected to the ECC First Team, and led the Panthers in every major offensive category last season.

"Klimkowski left us some big shoes to fill, but McDonnell and Volinski are extremely fast. McDonnell reads the game very well, and has no fear of taking shots on goal. She is quick with and without the ball, and has excellent technical skills. Volinski is stepping up to a new position this year, but she judges situations well and is an excellent addition to the squad."

Much is expected Masiello and Gronenthal. Gazzano states that "both read the field well, and will be an excellent addition to an already strong front line." Also looking to see time on the forefield are junior Jessica Beasley, sophomore Ashley Winter, and freshman Kaitlin Monteith, all of whom have improved greatly this summer, and look to contribute to the Panthers' attack.

Senior Amanda Popoli

In the midfield, the squad will rely on a quadrant of talented seniors in Karen Roveto, Caitlin Morrison, Amanda Popoli, and Kayte Kinsley. Kinsley was an ECC First Team selection in 2008, while Morrison garnered Third-Team honors.

"Roveto is stepping up into a new starting position this year in left mid[field]. She and Caitlin are extremely tough on the ball, and both are solid offensively and defensively. Amanda Popoli reads the game extremely well, and her skill as a passer and playmaker will really give the team momentum. Kinsley, an aggressive player who is great in the air, is a true leader on the field."

The team will also see contributions from sophomore transfer Michelle Reynolds, who Gazzano says is a "student of the game, and reads the field extremely well."

Junior Erin Dunne, an aggressive player who tackles with prowess, is a versatile player who could see time on the front line as well in the midfield. Jessica Aldorando, Annie Braseth, Daniele Bottaro, Alicia Gibbons have all been on the squad for a season, and will use their experience to help the team, and Phelan Livingston, a sophomore transfer from Sussex County Community College, will also vye for playing time with her speed and tenacity.

In the backfield, the team will be led by seniors Brittany Hess and Elise Maniguet. Hess has seen major playing time for three years, and her composure and poise under pressure are going to be key to the Panthers' success. Maniguet, a middle distance runner for the Panthers' track squad in the winter and spring, will use her speed and undeterrable work ethic to get the ball up field. Juniors Meghan Carey and Kristen Dexter will provide additional backfield support, along with freshman Chali Beard.

Brittany Hess will help lead the backfield.

"Maniguet works unbelievably hard," states Gazzano about her defender. "She and Hess work well in the backfield, and will be able to push the ball efficiently. Carey and Beard are both cool under fire, and will get the ball where it needs to be, while Dexter is a great tackler, and very aggressive. Beard has an excellent club background from Missouri, and is a great situational player." The Panthers have a talented cast of players who have seen great improvement over the past year and during preseason. Cathleen Reardon, Perscia Pallazo, Kelsey Worth, and Sally Leahy will all be looking for playing time after having excellent preseason practices and scrimmages.

In the net, the Panthers return a 2008 ECC Second Team selection in sophomore Dorothy Connolly, as well as veteran Angela Matinale. Connolly was 15th in NCAA Division II last season with a .585 Goals Against Average, and made 83 saves. "Connelly and Matinale have seen great improvement in the net," says Gazzano, who is still in the Panthers' record books as a goalkeeper. "Connelly is our anchor on the field, and her vision is exceptional. She reads angles and developing plays extremely well. Matinale is improving with each day, and will be a great addition to our team."

Sophomore goalie Dorothy Connolly.

The Panthers open their season at home, on Competition Field against Philadelphia University on August 29. After two home games, the Panthers travel to Massachusetts to face NE-10 foe UMass- Lowell, ranked just one place ahead of Adelphi in the NE-10 preseason poll in 5th.

Following the trip to Massachusetts, the Panthers have a triplet of home games against NE-10 opponents, and two more upstate in North Easton, Massachusetts and Syracuse, N.Y.

Other notable games are against Long Island rival New York Institute of Technology on September 30, and the Homecoming game against Southern New Hampshire State University on October 10. Also, look for the Panthers to compete in the Northeast 10 Conference tournament, which begins on November 1.