The Penn State Behrend women's soccer team is positioning themselves to add more hardware to the trophy case in 2008. Entering the fall, the goal is to win their third straight AMCC Conference Championship. Behrend returns a mature group from last year's championship team. The 2007 team posted a record of 11-7-3 and earned the program's third bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"We are looking forward to defending our AMCC title in 2008," O'Driscoll said. "We know it will be challenging to win the league again, but we feel well equipped to do so. We have a good core of talented returning players, including four All-AMCC selections from 2007. The experienced players will be critical to our success both in terms of their level of play and their ability to help our new players acclimate into the culture of our program." Behrend has competed in ten of 11 AMCC championship games since the conference's inception in 1997-winning it all six times.
In 2008, the Behrend Lions will return six starters and 14 letterwinners. Three seniors will lead the blue and white on their title defense this year. The midfield will be anchored by seniors Kim Chapman (Cranberry/Seneca Valley), Nikki Frisbee (Valencia/Mars), and Beth Manganaro (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley). Last season, Chapman was voted the program's Co-MVP, Frisbee was named the AMCC Player of the Year, and Manganaro tallied five goals, and they will work together to be a strong force up-top for the Behrend Lions.
"Kim, Nikki, and Beth are all really experienced players having played in three AMCC championship games and two NCAA Tournaments," O'Driscoll said. "I will be counting on them to provide a dynamic attaching front for our team in 2008."
First team All-AMCC selection Kayla Frost headlines the junior class. With a 1.24 GAA and nine shutouts, Frost is the cornerstone to the Behrend Lions defense. Along with Frost, back-up goalie Beth Lacy (Erie/Harborcreek) provides experience and depth. "We are fortunate to have strong goalkeeping in the form of Kayla and Beth to keep the opposition off the score sheet," continued O'Driscoll." Also, talented midfielder Brittany Barbato (State College/State College) returns for her third year.
This fall the Behrend Lions will be returning five sophomores. Julie Bonomo (Export/Franklin Regional) and Kelly Thill (Wexford/Pine-Richland) were key pieces to the Behrend Lions defense in 2007 and look to keep Behrend on the winning path. Midfielder Jaclyn Stottlemyer (Charleroi/Charleroi) will create space in the midfield, while forwards Caitlyn Elser (Cranberry/Seneca Valley) and Caitlin Tschappat (Butler/Butler) will push for time at the attacking position. As a freshman Elser scored two goals and had two assists, and along with Bonomo are both near definite starters this fall.
Twelve new freshmen will join the team in 2008. "We always work hard to bring in talented players to our program," said O'Driscoll. "I am extremely happy with the quality of our 2008 class. These players come from competitive club and high school programs and should make this transition to college well. Many of them will impact the team significantly as freshmen."
These freshmen should add depth to an experienced Behrend Lions squad. Among those competing for time are forwards Emily Lewis (Washington/Bishop Canevin), Rachelle Thompson (Scottdale/Southmoreland), Erin McCreary (Pittsburgh/Seton-LaSalle), and Glennis Robash (Mars/Mars). Adding depth to the midfield is Mia Baltutat (Pittsburgh/Upper St. Clair), Lindsey Steinsdoerfer (Pittsburgh/ North Hills), and Kaitlin Wolf (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West). Defending the goal will be Caitlyn Bleggi (New Castle/Neshannock), Kelsey Donegan (Pittsburgh/ North Allegheny), Megan Falconer (Erie/ Villa Maria), Chelsey Lewis (Washington/Bishop Canevin), and Heather Klimuszka (Rochester, NY/ Greece-Athena).
Also giving the blue and white more experience in the midfield is Dana Cerminara (Cranberry Township/ Seneca Valley) who is joining Behrend from Thiel College.
The Behrend Lions will kick off the season by hosting the Herb Lauffer Tournament the last weekend of August. The Herb Lauffer Tournament will begin the Behrend Lions 18 game journey towards their third straight championship. Behrend will begin play on August, 30, at 10:00 a.m. against Baldwin-Wallace in the opening game of the Herb Lauffer Tournament. The other half of the bracket has Geneseo kicking off against Wooster at 12:00 p.m. The consolation game is slated for Sunday at 10:00 a.m. followed by the 12:00 p.m. championship contest. The blue and white have captured the Herb-Lauffer Tournament titles in both 2000 and 2003. The blue and white will begin defense of their AMCC crown on September 27, when Mt. Aloysius visits the Behrend fields.
Coach O'Driscoll feels his team more than capable of brining home another AMCC title. "The AMCC is getting stronger every year, so we will have to be at our best again in 2008," said O'Driscoll. "The players are hungry to win the title again this year. Our focus will be on good daily practice habits, working hard, and having a team-first attitude. If we can work on these things over the course of the season, success will hopefully follow."
Historically, the Behrend women's soccer program history boasts a 169-79-20 mark. The blue and white won four straight AMCC championships during the 1997-2000 seasons and have won the last two league titles. The blue and white have also finished as the league's runner's-up in 2001 and from 2003-2005. In addition, the Behrend Lions have also made five ECAC Tournaments and three NCAA appearances.
