2011 Women's Soccer Season Preview
After just missing the playoffs by one point last season, the Rivier College Women's Soccer team is a determined group as they enter the 2011 season. The Raiders have 12 student-athletes returning from a club that was 8-8-1 overall in 2010, including senior captains Kristi Davis (Byfield, MA/Triton Regional) and Meghan Hickey (Hampstead, NH/Pinkerton Academy).
Leading the group of returners are sophomore forward Morgan Greene (Acworth, NH/Fall Mountain) and sophomore goalkeeper Christine Surber (Langdon, NH/Fall Mountain). In their freshman seasons, Greene helped paced the offensive attack with three goals and five assists while Surber kept the ball out of the net with her 1.47 Goals Against Average. Fellow sophomores Deanna Cetto (Sterling, MA/Wachusett Regional) and Christina Parent (Loudon, NH/Bishop Brady) are returning offensive weapons as they netted three and two goals, respectively, in 2010. Sophomores Rebecca Wickens (Tyngsboro, MA/Tyngsboro) and Hillary Hee (Colchester, VT/Rice Memorial) each recorded points from the midfield while sophomore Brittany Balkus (Millbury, MA/Millbury) will help anchor the defensive unit. Sophomore Cassandra Brown (Somersworth, NH/Somersworth) combined with Surber will complete quite the Goalkeeping duo as she did not allow a goal in 2010.
7th year Head Coach Jeff Simoneau did a wonderful job during the offseason as he was able to bring in 7 new faces that will help improve the club. Transfers Lauren Tamposi (Jr., Hollis, NH/Assumption) and Mariah Payne (So., Concord, NH/NH Technical) will provide depth up front for a Rivier offense that scored 27 times in 2010. Freshmen Kiara Still (Milford, MA/Milford) and Savannah Neuwirt (Newbury, NH/Hearsarge Regional) have joined the defensive corps while classmates Erica Soucy (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) and Mary Donovan (Milford, NH/Milford) will be counted on in the midfield.
With a young roster made up of 11 sophomores and 4 freshmen, it will be up to the captains (Davis and Hickey) along with senior Monica Rivera (Nashua, NH/Curry) and junior Jillian Pilotte (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry) to provide direction and leadership in 2011.
The Women will kick off their 2011 campaign tomorrow (September 1st) with a 4pm start at Farmingdale State University.
