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Location Newark, DE 19716 Founded 1743 Enrollment 16,110 Nickname Fightin' Blue Hens Colors Royal Blue and Gold Conference America East Affiliation NCAA Division I President Dr. David P. Roselle NCAA Faculty
Rep Dr. John L. Burmeister Athletic
Director Edgar N. Johnson Sr. Associate Athletic
Director Mary Ann Hitchens Associate Athletic
Director, Programs & Facilities Kate Pohlig Assistant Athletic
Director, Business Scott Eatough Assistant Athletic
Director, NCAA Compliance Sue Groff Sports Info
Director Scott Selheimer Asst. Sports
Information Director Mike Hirschman Sports Information
Intern Kevin Linton Sports Info Office
Phone/Fax 302-831-2186/302-831-8653 Blue Hens Sports
Hotline 302-831-8139 E-mail WWW Head
Coach Scott Grezenda (Delaware '87) Coaching
Record 89-67-7 (9 Seasons) Women's Soccer
Phone 302-831-8915 Asst.
Coaches Ken Cohen, Jess Reynolds 1998
Record 5-12-1 (4-5, America East, 5th
place) 1999
Captains Cate Harrison, Tracy Cantwell Letterwinners
Returning/Lost 17 / 4 Starters
Returning/Lost 9 / 2 Home
Field Delaware Mini Stadium (2000;
Grass) All-Time
Record 89-67-7 (9 Seasons) NCAA Tournament
Appearances None Conference
Titles None Last Conference
Title None Blue Hens look to rebound from injury-riddled season The University of Delaware women's soccer team is coming off of a 1998 season that saw the Blue Hens face a great deal of adversity throughout the course of the year. Last season, Delaware had a couple of key players go down with injuries early in the campaign, along with several others who were banged up throughout the course of the season. The end result of the tumultuous ride was a 5-12-1 overall finish, including a 4-5 mark and a fifth-place standing in America East. That resulted in the Blue Hens missing their first America East post-season berth since the tournament began in 1994. This season, Delaware returns much of the same cast as a year ago, but with a whole new outlook on the season. With last year still fresh in their mind, the Blue Hens return 16 letterwinners from last season's team, including a nucleus of 10 seniors led by co-captains Tracy Cantwell and Cate Harrison. "These players did a great job of working hard last season, despite the adversity and injuries they went through on a day-to-day basis," said Delaware women's soccer head coach Scott Grzenda, who enters his 10th season at the helm &endash; the longest tenure among America East coach. "The players stuck together last year and continued to work hard throughout the season. That has already paid dividends for us in the spring workouts and should help us immensely this season." Along with a season's experience, Delaware has added some talented newcomers to this year's squad. "This is probably the best recruiting class we have had at Delaware," said Grzenda, who is 35th on the NCAA Division I active career victory list with 89 wins in nine years. "With the combination of our experience and the new players coming in, I think we'll have a chance to compete for the conference title this season." With the graduation of Allison Martin, who finished third on the UD all-time saves list with 167, Delaware opens the season with a void at the goalkeeper position. Junior Laura Larentowicz, who played in six games last season with four starts, will be competing for the job along with a pair of freshmen &endash; Rachel Bersin and Marta Parker. "I expect stiff competition among the three and look for one of them to step in and anchor what should be one of our better defensive units," said Grzenda. The defensive unit should be one of the strengths of the team &endash; a combination of experience and youth to form a very talented corp of players. The nucleus of the group is very experienced and includes senior Erin Klene and junior Megan McFadden and red-shirt sophomore Lisa Valoris. Villanova transfer Stephanie Schmucker, who started all 20 games last season for the Wildcats as a sophomore, joins the group. Valoris had a great spring season for Delaware after starting all 18 games last year. Teamed with McFadden, who played in just four games last year because of injury and received a medical red-shirt, the two should provide the defense with a couple of offensive weapons that can set up scoring opportunities for the frontline. Klene will serve as the anchor on defense having played a significant role on the backline for Delaware as a three-year letterwinner. Freshman Maria Pollaro will provide the Blue Hens with versatility this season and should see some time on defense, as well. Alexis Olivera is another Blue Hen who will play in many different spots this season, while Erin Kelly will also be in the mix to provide the Blue Hens with a deep and talented backline. This year's midfield is loaded with talent and depth led by a solid nucleus returning from last season. Playing time in the center midfield will be heavily competed for by senior captain Tracy Cantwell, senior Amy Brino, sophomore Sara Wilson, who came on strong to start all nine conference games in her rookie season, and freshman Ginette Buffone. Cantwell started all 18 games last season, recording three points (1g, 1a). Buffone was a two-time all-state selection and an All-New England selection as a senior at Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut after transfering from Enfield HS, where she twice earned all-conference. The outside midfield will see Mandy Merritt drop back from a forward spot and Cate Harrison slide over from her center midfield slot to provide some speed and creativity on the outside. Merritt led the Blue Hens last season from her forward position with 14 points (5g, 4a). Erika Larson will once again be a spark plug for the Blue Hens, while Alison Keehan and Erin O'Neill will also drop back from their forward spots to come off the bench as outside midfielders. Larson returns to the line-up after missing six games because of injury last season. "With the players we have moved to the midfield, we should have a very creative unit that will help set up many scoring opportunities for our forwards," says Grzenda. "It is very important that we be able to control the tempo of the midfield with these players in order for us to be successful." Forwards : Delaware will be looking for more of a scoring punch out of the forwards after a year in which it scored just 19 goals. Last year's leading goal-scorer Kelly Walker (6g, 1a) returns to the frontline to provide a scoring punch, along with the Blue Hens' third-leading goal scorer last season Stacey Lukens. Lukens (2g) played extremely well for the Hens during spring workouts after she was tied for the UD lead last season with two game-winning goals. Delaware will move Nicole Spadafino up from the backline to provide the forwards with an additional player that can create scoring opportunities. Spadafino was second on the squad with three assists last season. Freshman Brittany Campbell comes to Delaware with the reputation of being a goal scorer after earning all-state honors at Notre Dame (HS) in Pennsylvania and should get a chance to play on the frontline during the course of the year. America East race: This year, Delaware will look to return to its winning ways after missing the America East Tournament for the first time. "We were very dissapointed not to make the conference tournament last season," said Grzenda. "However, the hard work and dedication that our players showed last season should act as a stepping stone for this season and help us to succeed at a high level this year." Playing just five matches at home in 1999, the Blue Hens will face a difficult schedule. Amidst the 12 road games are dates with national power and America East rival Hartford and a non-conference match with 1998 CAA runner-up Richmond in the Richmond Tournament. However, with 10 seniors and 16 letterwinners returning, they are primed for redemption and a return to the postseason this year. |
