Women’s Soccer Looks to Build on Last Year’s Success
Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)
Patchogue, NY| In her inaugural season, St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's soccer team head coach Salma Tarik takes control of the reigning Skyline Conference champions who finished the 2015 season with an overall record of 9-10-2 and a conference record of 6-3. The Golden Eagles advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in program history, but fell short to Swarthmore College in the first round.
According to the Skyline Conference Coaches Poll, released on Monday afternoon, St. Joseph's was projected to finish fourth this season. Farmingdale State, who the Golden Eagles defeated in the conference semis last fall, was projected to finish in first.
2016 Women's Soccer Coaches Poll - Points
1. Farmingdale State (6) - 78
2. Mount Saint Mary (2) - 72
3. Sage (2) - 69
4. St. Joseph's-Long Island * - 54
5. Mount Saint Vincent - 44
6. Old Westbury - 43
7. Purchase - 39
8. Maritime - 22
9. Sarah Lawrence - 18
10. Yeshiva – 10
First-place votes in parentheses
*Defending champion
Returning for the Golden Eagles will be junior midfielder Kristin Carroll who played in all of SJC's 21 games last year and made 17 starts last season. The Patchogue, NY native, who finished fourth on the team in 2015 with 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists), should slot into a wide attacking role in 2016. Joining Carroll on the outside is expected to be Josseline Sort, who started in five of her 15 appearances a season ago.
Leading the midfield are captains Katelyn Jones and Rebecca Voisich, who will be tasked with bridging the gap between the midfield and the forwards. Senior Katie Condron will bring experience and strong leadership skills captaining the backline this season.
Tarik sees 18 players from last year's squad depart, but has brought in 14 new players including freshmen Samantha Wedderburn and Juliana Cintron-Leonardo who will battle it out for the starting job in the net.
The team kicks off its 2016 season when it welcomes NYU to Danzi Stadium on Thursday, September 1 at 7PM at. The team will then hit the road for the 2016 Mayor's Cup on Saturday September 10 where they're slated to face Oneonta St. at 1:00 PM and Hartwick on Sepember. 11 at 2:30 PM.
The Golden Eagles begin conference play at Yeshiva on Tuesday, September 20. The final home and conference match of the regular season is slated for Tuesday, October 25 at 7:00 PM when the Golden Eagles take on cross-town rivals Farmingdale St. The Skyline Tournament semifinals will be played on Saturday, October 29 and with the final set for Saturday November 7.
