WOMEN'S SOCCER

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

After finishing last year with a 3-5-2 conference record and a seventh place finish, the Bulls gained a lot of experience in learning just what it takes to compete in a conference. It was the first time in the programs history the team competed for a conference title and showed some inexperience under those situations. This year, however, could prove different.

The Bulls return 11 letterwinners off last years team including seven starters. The strength of this years returners will be on the defensive side of the field.

Coach Jean-A. Tassy feels that the defense will be as strong as last year when the team gave up just 19 goals in 18 games, a team goals against average of 1.01. Additionally, Tassy feels the foundation of the defense is stabilized with the strong returnees coming back this season.

The key to that defense starts with returning goalie and team tri-captain Jaime Adams (Rochester, NY/Greece-Arcadia). Her intensity and leadership will help guide the team on and off the field. Last season, Adams recorded 117 saves in 17 starts, giving up 19 goals for a goals against average of 1.07. She also recorded five shutouts on the season.

The defensive side of the field also includes senior captains Tara Donahue (Port Crane, NY/Chenango Valley) and Lauren Hartmayer (Clarence Center, NY/Clarence), along with fellow seniors Dawn DelGiudice (Tannersville, PA/Pocono Mountain) and Melissa Korosec (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) and juniors Heather Collins (Amherst, NY/Sweet Home), Linnaea DiNallo (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and Cherie Rogers (Rochester, NY/Greece-Athena).

Donahue is a team captain this year who started in all 18 games last season. She provides excellent team leadership both on and off the field and will be looked at to help direct the tough UB defense. Hartmayer is another captain who will be asked to provide leadership. After three years in the Bulls program, and started in 27 of 29 games played, this could be Hartmayer's year to prove how valuable she can be to the team.

Collins has the speed to play more in the midfield position and can attack the opposition when necessary. She was third on the team in scoring last year with four goals and one assist for nine points. DiNallo is tough at the sweeper position and can be reliable on defense, having started all 18 games last season.

The midfield is an area that could see some changes for the Bulls. There are a few players in the incoming class of recruits who could step into the midfield along with some returning players.

One change may be moving last year's scoring leader, junior Paula Listrani (Rochester, NY/Greece-Athena), to possibly play the midfield position.

Returning at the forward positions will be Jennifer Keefe (Elmira, NY/Elmira Free Academy) and Paula Sinclair (Hamilton, Ontario/Barton Secondary). The coaches are looking for more of a direct style attacking team as opposed to a possession team to better utilize the speed and talents of these players up front.

This year's recruiting class will play an integral part of the Bulls success as well. On the offensive side, Samantha Swerdloff (Montcalir, NJ/Montclair) is a strong player and Andrea Sullivan (Dublin, OH/Dublin Coffman) is a tough attacker as well.

In the midfield, newcomer Elizabeth Pfeffer (Liverpool, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) will provide stability and depth. There are also three players who are very versatile and could play at different positions in Christine Hunter (Oakville, Ontario/White Oaks), Megan Hosey (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) and Meghan Maul (Dix Hills, NY/Hallow Hills East). Emily Cox (Fairport, NY/Fairport) is another freshman who could challenge Adams at the goal keeper position.

This year's schedule features some strong non-conference opponents as well as the programs second season in the Mid-American Conference.

The coaches tried to put together a schedule that would increase the Bulls non-conference RPI ratings. The season starts with a home game against rival Niagara University. The Bulls then take part in a tournament with Army and Albany for the Governors Cup. The only other non-conference home game is versus Detroit-Mercy before road games at cross-town rival Canisius and a trip to Florida to face Miami (Fla) and Florida International.

UB will then begin its second season in the MAC on the road at Toledo and Bowling Green before four straight home games, followed by four on the road before finishing the season at home against Kent.

As the Bulls enter their second season in the balanced Mid-American Conference, the coaches are optimistic about the team's chances to make something happen. After seeing chances slip away last year, the players are more focused on what it takes to compete in a conference. Every game is important in not only establishing league standings, but also in determining home field advantage for the MAC tournament.