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Tough Defense, Experience to Guide Keuka Women’s Soccer in ‘09
August 25, 2009
Senior and reigning NEAC MVP, Kelly Josephson, will anchor the Storm's defense again in 2009.
Keuka’s women’s soccer team has not lost a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) game the past two seasons and brings a 16-0-1 streak into the 2009 conference campaign.
In 2008, the Storm (10-6-3) won both the regular season and conference tournament championships en route to making its second NCAA Tournament appearance. The 2009 squad returns 10 players including nine juniors and seniors.
“A big strength that we will have is leadership and experience; all 10 returners have played valuable minutes in the past and have played in some big post-season games,” stated head coach Jamie Burke.
Burke had plenty of reasons for the team’s success in ’08 but none more important then the play of senior defender Kelly Josephson (Jamestown, N.Y./Maple Grove). Josephson had a monstrous junior year, being named both the NEAC Player of the Year as well as the NEAC Tourney MVP. The sweeper also tallied a goal and will lead a Storm defense that allowed a mere 20 goals in 19 games last season.
“Anytime that you can have the reigning conference MVP return, it makes the job as coach that much easier,” says Burke.
Also back on the defensive side of the field will be senior goalie Ashley Vail (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville-Chili). An All-NEAC second team selection, Vail held eight different teams scoreless while posting 95 saves. Junior Molly McGuigan (Conklin, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley), a second team All-NEAC pick who scored three goals with two assists for eight points and senior Brandi DuVall (Houghton, N.Y./Fillmore) return to the starting lineup on defense. Senior Kayla Scouten (Port Leyden, N.Y./South Lewis) is also back.
Leading the offense for the Storm will be junior forward Alyssa Hermenet (Williamson, N.Y./Williamson), an easy selection to the All-NEAC first team. She led the team in scoring with six goals, seven assists, and 19 points. Classmate Courtney McLaughlin (Warsaw, N.Y./Letchworth) had a breakout sophomore season that saw her score 17 points on a team-high seven goals and three assists. Senior Alyssa Gumtow (Farmington, N.Y./Victor) also returns to the starting lineup after posting six goals, five assists, and 17 points a year ago.
All-NEAC third team selection Jessica VanScoter (Canisteo, N.Y./Canisteo-Greenwood) is another of Burke’s stalwarts. The senior midfielder netted 11 points on three goals and five assists last year. Sophomore Sara James (Wayland, N.Y./Wayland-Cohocton) is also back after scoring five goals (10 points) in her rookie campaign.
Some of the top newcomers that should make an immediate impact for the Storm include junior midfielder Deanna Nortier (Marion, N.Y./Marion) and freshman midfielder Sarah Capek (Horseheads, N.Y.). Sarah Hillman (Elmira, N.Y.) will add depth to an already stacked defense while Nicole Sharick (Pembroke, N.Y.) and Terin Brown (Wayland, N.Y.) will boost Keuka’s offense.
The Storm will kick off its season with a home game against SUNY Geneseo Sept. 1. Keuka will then put its two-year undefeated NEAC record on the line against Wilson College at home Sept. 12. The NEAC Championships will begin Nov. 7.
“Our goal is always to finish atop the NEAC and get the NCAA bid,” replied Burke. “We also want to be more competitive with the SUNYAC and Empire 8 schools on our schedule.”
