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After starting last year with a young, untested team, that went on to win the PSAC title and earn a trip to the NCAA playoffs, coach Sandy Dickson has a new motto for the 2003 season: “This is no rebuild. There is just reload.”

That mantra will be the guiding force for Bloomsburg as it looks to defend its PSAC title and once again advance to the NCAA tournament.

“I believe in this group,” said Dickson, now in her sixth year and with two PSAC championships to her credit. “They do the right thing on the field, and in the classroom. My expectations are for excellence and they have proven they are on the same page with the vision for the program.”

ATTACK

Leading the way on the attack will be sophomore Becky Ritter (Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg-Osceola). Ritter is the team's leading returning goal scorer.

Joining her will be Michele Carmosky (Harleyville/Souderton), a talented transfer forward from D-I St. Joseph's University, and freshmen Alex Totino (Holtsville,Ny/Sachem North) and Sarah Fick (Hamburg/Fleetwood Area) who will provide finishing for the Huskies. Senior Jessica Baker (Montoursville/Montourville) trained as a forward this past spring and will look to bring a tireless work rate and hard-nosed attitude to the forward line as well.

Carmosky blends size, strength and poise to the group. A quick sprinter on the open field and a physical presence will compliment the quickness and nose for the goal that Ritter possesses. At St. Joseph's as a freshman, Carmosky scored four times and added two assists to finish as the team's second leading scorer.

Totino brings a fierce competitive desire and a tactical awareness needed to propel the Huskies offensive arsenal.

MIDFIELD

An area that should be one of the strengths for the team as a seasoned midfield core returns led by senior Vanessa Peregrim (Toms River,NJ/Toms River East), juniors Kelly Salvaterra (Macungie/Emmaus), Amanda McLaughlin (Andover,NJ/North Warren) and Nicole Yerkes (Lumbertown,NJ/Rancocas Valley). In addition, sophomores Jen Fico (Monroe,CT/Masuk) and Rebecca Callen (Woodstown,NJ/Woodstown) will add strength to a solid midfield. Freshmen Adrienne Bateson (Santa Cruz,CA/St. Francis) and Kathleen Holden (Newark,DE/St. Mark's) will add depth to the midfield.

Peregrim brings senior leadership, tactical smarts and confidence to the midfield. Look for Salvaterra to once again be one of the more fit players in the PSAC as she has a tireless work ethic and will bring leadership to the midfield. McLaughlin, a crafty player, will have a big role in developing attacking play from the midfield. The left foot of Fico may come in handy as the Huskies use her to play a bigger role this season. Callen, a returning starter, provides vision, and poise from the center midfield for the Huskies. Yerkes is also back and is a secret weapon offensively for the team.

DEFENSE

The back line will remain strong for the Huskies led by senior Andrea Bauer (Randolph,NJ/Randolph). Joining her will be juniors Lindsay Knupp (Marmora,NJ/Ocean City), and Erin Conley (Marlton,NJ/Cherokee). Also the return of sophomore center backs Jill Docherty (Allentown/Catasauqua) and Jackie Shaw (Thorofare,NJ/West Deptford) with a year of experience under their belts will make for a strong lineup. Sophomores Jill Perruquet (Danville/Danville), Cassy Clay (Lansdale/Upper Dublin), and Jess Mueller (Babylon,NY/Babylon) will also be in the mix. While the addition of freshmen Michele Marciano (Ocean City,NJ/Ocean City) and Christina Mazurek (Hatfield/North Penn) also bring depth to the backline.

Knupp is a speed demon that has the ability to shut forwards down but also to come forward in the attack. The tactical awareness of Jill Docherty was a key for the Huskies in her freshmen campaign and Jackie Shaw's toughness and consistency were tremendous. The duo of Docherty and Shaw, only sophomores, will be a strength for the Huskies. Andrea Bauer' experience and poise will be keys for the Huskies this fall. Expect freshman Mazurek to be in the mix right away. She is solid, tough and experienced and should compete for playing time right away.

GOALKEEPING

The goalkeeping duties will be handled by senior Amanda Lawler (Schnecksville/Parkland) along with sophomore Renee Weller (Catawissa/Southern Columbia). A composed and mature Lawler led the Huskies to the NCAA Final 8 in 2000 and is a proven goalkeeper. She will be the backbone of the Huskies defense. Weller has tremendous hands, and with improved quickness and training will compete for time.

OVERALL

“I think we have a dynamic mix of strengths and personalities which should make us very tough,” Dickson said.

“The goal of wining the PSAC title is the main goal for us. This group expects to win each and every time they step on the field. Every player wants to be in the mix and they go at each other in training hard. Our goal of returning to the NCAA tournament and going deeper into the tournament is what Bloomsburg soccer is all about.”

“I am very excited about this group. They remind me a lot of our 1998 team together as one and stronger than any individual could ever be. I believe in them and cannot wait to push their potential. This is no rebuild, there is just reload.”