Garden City, N.Y. - On Thursday, August 30, the women's soccer team kicks off the year with a home contest against the Cougars of Caldwell College at 7pm on Motamed Field. Last season, in his first year, Head Coach Chris Armas guided the Panthers to an 8-8-1 record which included going 7-7-1 in conference play and a Northeast-10 postseason appearance. This season, the team boasts an even mix of veterans, 14 returners and 10 talented freshmen ready to take on the best the conference has to offer.

“I thought last year was a little bit of a whirlwind with a lot of things to sort out,” stated Armas. “I had to get to know the girls, the competition and at the same time, try to play a style of soccer that fits how we see the game.” Armas' style of play includes possession with a purpose, not just a “kick and run” game plan with emphasis on being physical that he feels the NE-10 presents.

“We're at a much different place than last year,” says Armas. “We're more organized and have a much clearer picture of where we are going and how we are going to get there.” The coaching staff expects to win more games and ultimately make the NCAA Tournament.

The road to accomplish their goals will be a difficult one as the NE-10 had three teams in the NCAA Tournament including the reigning national champions, St. Rose. “I want to see the girls be aggressive with the ball, attack with a purpose, and be strong defensively,” explains Armas. “We're in a difficult conference with very good teams. We are preparing to earn everything that comes our way and cannot expect anything to be handed to us.”

Leadership
The coaching staff has named seniors Emily Masiello, Kaitlin Monteith and Meghan Carey as team captains and will be relying on them to lead the team both on and off the field this year.  “Each of the three girls are leaders in their own unique way,” explained Armas. “They earned this role and will have the responsibility of keeping this team together and on the same page.”

Forward/Midfield
Last year, the Panthers managed to score just 20 goals which ranked tied for 10th in the conference. This year, Armas believes that they will be more productive with Monteith and Alison Gronenthal as the main attackers. “So far, both girls scored a lot of goals during our preseason games. They're both dangerous and I expect them to be a big factor in the goal scoring category.”
 
Complementing the two seniors will be Olivia Czavar, Giselle Ortiz and Christina Dutcher, all of whom are part of the freshmen class. “We have been working a lot with the front line on finishing and have been giving them ideas in the final third,” stated Armas. “So far they have been very responsive and should result in scoring more goals which proved to be an issue last year.”
 
Armas believes the midfield is the engine that powers the team. Tasked with this job will be Amber Ingargiola, Aimee Goldstein and Sarah Cote. The trio combined for two goals and four assists last year and is described as having “good presences in the midfield.”
 
Backing them up will be transfer Michelle Brown and freshmen Bianca Lastra, Melissa Rubin and Morgan Mahony. Armas is instilling in the newcomers “high tempo, possession soccer,” a blueprint he feels will suit the team and set them up for success.
Defense
Last year's defense allowed just 22 goals which was tied for eighth best among NE-10 institutions. Cathleen Reardon, Erin Carey, Chelsea Wolman and Sally Leahy are returning defenders and will be joined by new comers Taylor Salmon and Taylor Groth. Armas believes that each girl “will play a specific role on the defensive end of the field and together should combine to keep the opposition at bay.”
 
Lastly, versatile players in Masiello, Carey, Julianne Roy, Samantha Jehle, Donna Liotine, Mara Bush and Kelsey Malles round out the final component of the team. “We intend to put some attacking minded players at outside back,” stated Armas. “I believe by doing this, it will bolster both our offense as well as our defense.”
 
Goalkeeper
NE-10 Second Team and All-Rookie Squad honoree Sam Whitney returns for her second year between the pipes. “I'm excited about Whitney being our mainstay in goal,” exclaimed Armas. “She had a great freshman campaign and I believe she will continue to be difficult to score on and be a tremendous presence in goal for us.”
 
Not discounting fellow sophomore, Kimberly Velazquez, Armas believes she can also do an exceptional job when called upon. “We have two credible keepers this year and their ability to make saves will keep us in every game.”
 
Schedule
After the Caldwell matchup, the Panthers hit the road to take on Bloomsburg University three days later and then return home on September 5 to take on NYIT. The remainder of the schedule is all Northeast-10 Conference opponents beginning with Southern New Hampshire University on the eighth.
 
They close out the regular season on Saturday, October 27 against Stonehill in front of the home crowd on Motamed Field before taking flight in the conference tournament which begins on the 30^th.
 
“I'm most excited about the team spirit that the girls have brought into preseason. We've really come together and training has been competitive. I believe our game has improved, our fitness level has enhanced, and as a group we're all focused this year,” explains Armas. “There is no substitution for hard work and honesty. We are setting a high standard in everything we do and we believe that it is the only way to achieve success.”