It’s time to put away the bathing suits and beach balls and grab your sweatshirts and soccer balls because the women’s soccer team is ready to bring in the new fall semester with greater force than ever before.
Coming off of a stellar season, the Lions are looking to improve upon their impressive 2012 season of 15-2-3, which will be no easy feat. It is hard to improve upon almost perfection.
The Lions will begin 2013 play with a TCNJ Classic home game against William Smith College on Friday, Aug. 30. The official season begins the following day with a game against Rennsselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Official New Jersey Athletic Conference play will start on Saturday, Sept. 21 against Ramapo College on the Lions’ home turf. The team will be shooting for their 22nd straight appearance in the NCAA championship tournament.
The Lions’ losses and ties last year came against Montclair State, Kean University, Rowan University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This year, the Lions take on Montclair, Kean and Rowan again so the Lions will be able to come back with a vengeance.
Last year was highlighted by spectacular play from members such as sophomore goalie Kendra Griffith, senior defense Brenna Rubino and junior midfield Sloan DePiero. While the team was led by many, every player pitched in and played with 110 percent each game.
Some respectable honors were awarded to a multiple number of Lions last year, as the players racked up an impressive amount of awards. Senior midfielder Amy Van Dyk was awarded the NJAC Midfielder of the Year in the NCAA championship tournament. Senior defense Allison Foy was also named Defensive Player of the Year.
Foy was also named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Third Team All-American at the end of last season, capping off her four years at the College with an impressive award and great honor to the College’s soccer program.
Last year’s freshmen also shone brightly, as multiple awards were given to them as well, such as freshman midfielder Taylor Lusardi being named Rookie of the Week back in October. The 2013 season looks to be just as chock full of awards and honors as the previous season.
This year, the Lions are without former seniors Brenna Rubino, forward Jessica Davila, defense Allison Foy, midfield Amy Van Dyk, forward Allyson Anderson, forward Katie Landrigan and forward Maria Grady. However, as much as these Lions will be missed, the new recruits are practicing hard and working to become an integral part of the team.
2013 is shaping up to be a remarkable season, as the players are training harder than ever and hoping to improve upon last year’s phenomenal season.
