Women's Soccer
2007 Season Recap
The 2007 Clark women’s soccer team faced a net full of stiff competition this season, including five NCAA tournament teams and a pair of ECAC finalists, to finish with a 7-8-3 (4-5 NEWMAC) mark. With a relatively young starting line-up, not to mention a first year collegiate goalkeeper, the Cougars proved to be a defensive minded squad that combined for four shutouts and finished third in goals allowed (1.06) and goals against average (1.02) in overall games played in the NEWMAC.
Clark demonstrated it could play with the regions best after limiting Western Connecticut State University, an NCAA Final Four participant, and two second round contenders in Springfield College and Wheaton College to just one goal in 1-0 losses. The Cougars also battled to 1-1 draws against Brandeis University and Keene State College, the ECAC Champion and runner-up, respectively. After playing Connecticut College for the first time since 1998, Clark added to its list of accomplishments with a 1-0 shutout victory over its NESCAC foe.
The Cougars capped their autumn by earning its fourth straight NEWMAC Tournament berth, where as the sixth-seed they fell short of advancing with a 4-3 penalty kick loss to third-seed Babson College. It was the second time in four years Clark’s tournament hopes were dashed in PK’s.
It was only fitting that a pair of defenders were named to the NEWMAC All-Conference teams. Joanna Clark ’10, a first-year goalkeeper, finished second in the league in goals against average (1.00) and save percentage (.816) and third in shutouts (4) en route to her second-team selection. In addition to Clark, Julia Rizzo ’09 was also named to the All-NEWMAC second team.
2007 Season Preview
After a lackluster 2006 season (4-12-1/2-6-1 NEWMAC), the Clark University women’s soccer team hopes to return to the form that saw an ECAC championship appearance two years ago. With the loss of seven seniors, including four starters, to graduation, it won’t be an easy feat. However, seventh-year head coach Joe Brady believes the solution is simple – go back to the basics.
“From a training perspective, we learned a lot from last year’s experience,” said Brady. “We will focus more on our technical skill work and obviously we need to be more consistent in games.”
Returning 14 letterwinners and seven starters, not to mention four seniors, Brady is confident he can fill the openings in the lineup. “Our four seniors have been starters since they came to Clark,” he said. “The critical part for them is to balance leadership and their competitive nature – they all want to have a solid finish to their careers.”
The Cougars biggest challenge will be to rebuild a backfield held by All-Conference defender Amy Wilson ’07, Missy Ambrose ’07, Stephanie Holmes ’07 and goalkeeper Tedi Link ’07 – a graduate assistant coach this fall. Senior captain Jen Dineen is expected to anchor the backline that includes senior Deena Zakim and junior Julia Rizzo. In addition to the veteran depth, Coach Brady also anticipates up-and-coming sophomore Lorna Lunney to vie for a starting spot, while sophomore Kerri Moy will also be in the mix.
With the departure of Link and Lizwe Nondabula ’07, who shared goaltending duties for two seasons, Coach Brady is on the hunt for a solid candidate between the pipes. Looking to fill that role is sophomore newcomer Joanna Clark, a former four-year standout goalkeeper at Windham High School (Me.). Clark also plays softball for the Cougars.
There will be a plethora of options at midfield, where the Cougars must fill the void left by Lindsey Sylvester ‘07, a former NSCAA, NEWISA and NEWMAC All-Star. Sophomores Charlotte Bowman and Lauren King lead the list of returnees. Both players are poised to have breakout seasons. Junior Heather Winn and sophomore Jess Mirkin will also play key roles. Returning from an injury, junior Maria Arabatzis is expected to make a contribution as well.
Seniors Amanda Ramos (10-1-21) and Liz Adamcik (3-3-9) will give Clark a strong one-two scoring punch up front. Ramos, a NEWMAC second-team all-star, returns as the Cougars top offensive threat (10-1-21) and finished fourth in the conference in goals, while Adamcik, a former two-time All-NEWMAC selection, currently sits sixth on Clark’s all-time scoring list (23-4-50). Junior Kari Mruz and sophomore Brittany Flibotte are also viable candidates up top and the will also add depth in the midfield.
Coach Brady will add depth with another talented recruiting class. Included in that group are Julie Murray (Millbury, Mass.), Allison Kennelly (Irvington, N.Y.), Kristen Murrone (Middletown, Conn.), Megan O’Rourke (Somerset, Mass.) and Marie Sirois (Saco, Me.). An athletic player, Murray has the ability to make an immediate impact, while Kennelly and Murrone, who join Clark after quality club careers, could also shine. O’Rourke, a steady defender and midfielder, and a hard working Sirois will give the Cougars a solid spark off the bench. Newcomer Francesca Arminio (Middle Village, N.Y.) will serve as a back-up goalie.
How will the Cougars fare in 2007? “We have one of the most challenging schedules in New England – two of our first three games are against NCAA Tournament teams,” Brady said. “The underclassmen may have to step into unfamiliar roles. However, if they are up to the test and our first-year players respond, we can have an exciting season.”
For more information about Clark University Women's Soccer, please contact head coach Joe
Brady at (508) 421-3796 or by email at jbrady@clarku.edu
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