Fitchburg State Takes It One Game At A Time
The 2012 season begins a new chapter in the Fitchburg State women’s soccer era as the Falcons boast a brand new coaching staff, including first year head coach Shannon Murphy, and assistant coaches Jason Marshall and Jen Morse. Roughly six new players have also been added to the squad this season but Coach Murphy already believes her team chemistry is there.
“Jen and Jason complement each other well,” said Murphy. “Jen being a former Fitchburg State player and Jason providing a more mature and different prospective, the three of us have good balance.”
The Fitchburg State women’s soccer team enters its 2012 season with tons of motivation after receiving a sixth place ranking in the MASCAC Pre-Season Coaches Poll. After posting an overall record of 10-6-2 last year (4-3-0 MASCAC), the Falcons approach their 2012 slate with loads of optimism.
“We have nowhere to go but up,” said Murphy. “It gives the team motivation and a fire to prove them wrong.”
Over the pre-season, the Falcons have focused on their commitment and conditioning, leaving behind any negative press and reviews they have received. With a strong pre-season camp, the Falcons feel even more prepared for a successful season and a potential MASCAC playoff berth.
“It was different than I expected but I am happy with the results,” said Murphy. “We have a strong core group of returners, while the incoming players have really stepped it up. We are going to take it one game at a time and our play will prove people wrong.”
Leading the way offensively for Fitchburg State is junior captain Rachel Jamieson (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro). A 2011 All-Conference nominee, Jamieson ranked second on team in scoring last season, totaling 21 points on ten goals and one assist. Joining Jamieson will be freshman Nicole Perez (Jamestown, R.I./North Kingstown) and classmate Stephanie Maki (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont Regional).
“We have a very talented front line,” said Murphy. “Rachel appears to be in mid-season form already and will be a great leader for us on the offensive end, while Nicole and Stephanie have strong influences to pair up with Jamieson.”
In the midfield, Fitchburg State will turn to sophomore Kayla Bridges (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro), who totaled ten points with one goal and a team leading eight helpers last season. Kayla was key in the Falcons transition play a year ago and will be just as important this season.
Freshman Rachel Mackewicz (Lebanon, Conn./Lyman Memorial) will join Bridges in the center-midfield, while sophomores Sierra Santos (Lakeville, Mass./Dartmouth) and Mikaela Foley (Jefferson, Mass./Wachusett Regional) are slated as the Falcons outside midfielders. Newcomer Colleen Flaherty (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) provides one-year of collegiate experience after transferring in from Elms College
Patrolling the backline will be a slew of veterans, anchored by junior captain Kristen Cameron (Webster, Mass./Bartlett). Aiding Cameron will be sophomore Devin Donnelly (Charlton, Mass./Shepherd Hill) and junior Kimberly Carroll (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury), who will be making the transition from the front line.
Joining the trio of Cameron, Donnelly and Carroll will be sophomore Sarah Haley (Holbrook, Mass./Holbrook) and junior Danielle Polcari (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington), both who have proven to be tenacious defenders with good first reads. Freshman Jacqueline Walker (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) will also see immediate time at the defensive end in her rookie season with Fitchburg State.
In net, junior captain Jillian Kirouac (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) returns as the Falcons starter. Kirouac, a MASCAC All-Conference selection last season, saw action in 18 games, totaling 109 saves and a 1.14 goals against average over 1425 minutes of work. Sophomore Kelsey Ford (Franconia N.H./Profile School) was also solid for Fitchburg State, posting a minimal 0.48 GAA and .923 save percentage over seven games played.
SCHEDULE
“The MASCAC provides us with some tough challenges,” said Murphy. “There are no easy games on our schedule. The schedule will keep us on our toes as we are challenged throughout the year.”
Fitchburg State is slated to open its 2012 campaign at the ECSU Warriors Classic on Friday, August 31st. The Falcons draw the hosts, Eastern Connecticut State University on Friday before facing Manhattanville on Saturday. The Falcons return home on Thursday September 6th as they host Emmanuel College at 7 p.m., before beginning league play on Saturday, September 15th with a visit to Bridgewater State at 4:30 p.m.