Bloomsburg 2006 Women's Soccer Preview

August 25, 2006

BLOOMSBURG- In order for any team, no matter the sport, to compete for a championship it needs to have depth. Bloomsburg University women's soccer coach Sandy Dickson feels it will be her depth that could put the Huskies in position to compete for a PSAC championship.

"Our strength, no doubt, is our depth," said Dickson. "We have a strong nucleus of returning players with a talented group of 11 freshmen on our 2006 roster. The sense of camaraderie and togetherness has been palpable in camp and this squad has great potential to compete for the top spot in the East."

FORWARDS

The Huskies expect offensive opportunities with the return of Lauren Hess (East Greenville/ Upper Perkiomen) (out last year with an injury), the emergence of a dangerous Christina Mazurek (Hatfield/ North Penn) (who is the team's most versatile player), Christine Mongelli (South River, NJ/ South River), and Ashley Brucker (Blairstown, NJ/ North Warren) and newcomer Aimee Bono (Nanticoke/ Nanticoke Area). Brucker worked hard in the off-season and Mazurek played semi-pro ball all summer so Dickson expects both of them to play larger roles in the team's success than last season."

MIDFIELD

Seniors Sarah Fick (Hamburg/ Fleetwood Area) and Alexandra Totino (Port Jefferson Station, NY/ Sachem North) will provide veteran leadership in the midfield, while newcomers Kelly Modes (Langhonre/ Neshaminy) and Christine Wason (Hagerstown, MD/ Norht Hagerstown) have had strong preseason camps and will be in the mix. Katie Armitage (Saylorsburg/ Stroudsburg) returns with very good speed on the outside, and also may be in the mix at forward. Another freshman, Jourdan Fedusenko (Newark, DE/ Newark), will see time at midfield or in the back. Another speedy freshman, Susan Wade (Watsontown/ Warrior Run) will add depth out wide and perhaps as a forward. Jess Bender (Macungie/ Emmaus) brings a good work rate and versatility.

BACK

In the back, senior Jill Huffman (Bausman/ Lampeter-Strasburg) has spent last spring preparing for her role on the defensive side of the field. Senior Michelle Marciano (Ocean City, NJ/ Ocean City) and freshmen Eileen Alexander (East Northport, NY/ Commack) and freshmen Erin Coulahan (Hockessin, DE/ Alexis Dupont) will all be in the mix. The punishing, physical presence of Linsey Dressler (McAlister/ East Juniata) and a core of new freshmen will strengthen the backline.

GOALKEEPER

In the net, a pair of juniors (Brit Moses East Greenville/ Upper Perkiomen) and Robin Gerber (Succasunna, NJ/ Roxbury), bring the experience of two years under their belts, where they both led the team to the PSAC semi-finals as freshmen in 2004. They have such different strengths as keepers which is what makes them both so solid. Look for big things out of this duo.

OVERALL

The Huskies, who begin play this season in a new $1.5 million dollar multi-purpose, lighted stadium, have put a trip to the post-season at their top of their goals list.

"We have some very high goals for ourselves," Dickson said. "We want a return to the PSAC championship game as well as a trip to the NCAA playoffs. I feel we have the talent and desire necessary to achieve that goal.