Women's Soccer 2008 Season Outlook
09/18/2008
Women's Soccer 2008 Season Outlook
Bronxville, NY - The 2008 season promises to reveal evidence of a new era in Concordia Clippers women's soccer, an era that actually started in head coach Patrick Horne's barren first year in 2007.
In his attempt to begin to bring this new era to fruition, the second-year coach executed a recruiting binge to vastly improve the Clippers in 2008. With 11 returnees, eight recruits and new assistant coach Kennedy Seaton, the Clippers are an energized and motivated group determined to be productive at last.
Leading the charge in this season of new wave of enthusiasm are tri-captains Nathifa Newby (Brooklyn, NY), Rachel Woodland (Woking, England) and Dani Davies (Croydon, England). Newby, a senior and last year's third-team All ECC select and a member of the ECC's All Academic Honor Roll, is at the heart of the Clippers defense and will offer much experience and leadership from her sweeper position. Woodland is a good motivator who will play and integral part in strengthening the midfield along with Davies, who missed all of last season with a broken wrist. Davies is the perfect example of one who plays with much enthusiasm and passion.
Also among the returnees are defenders Michelle Tapper (Queens, NY), Jennifer Stefankiewicz (Elkhorn, NE) and Jennifer Angle (Boonsboro, MD). Tapper, a senior who played alongside Newby at Bryant and Stratton Junior College, will complement her captain from her position at right back; sophomores Stefankiewicz and Angle will shore up the Clippers defense from any position along the backline, along with left-sided defender Chrystal Gardner (Queens, NY), a sophomore playing in her first year with the Clippers.
Returning offensive players Sabrina Imbrogno (Yonkers, NY) and Jullian Talbert (Brooklyn, NY) will continue to carry the scoring load, but the pair will get invaluable help from new faces Katrina Donaldson (Laurelton, NY), Nancy Vargas (Brooklyn, NY) and Analia Islas (Woodhaven, NY). Junior Imbrogno will be expected to continue making her effective runs down the right side to serve crosses into the box where sophomore center forwards Donaldson and Vargas will be eagerly waiting to register them in the back of the net; Talbert, a speedy senior, will make her runs on the left side to give the Clippers a balanced attack. Donaldson, a former Hillcrest High School standout from Queens (NY), has a powerful shot that can lead to many goals and Vargas, who played at Brooklyn's Midwood High School, is a transfer from Felician College who will add to the offense. Islas, another Bryant and Stratton transfer, and Francesca Lombardo (Eastchester, NY) a freshman from Eastchester High School, are expected to make significant contributions to the Clippers offense.
Among other new faces are goalkeeper Aileen Alvear (Woodhaven, NY) and defenders Kenisha Masters (Queens, NY) and Natalie Greiner (Minoa, NY), all juniors from Bryant and Stratton Junior College. The very vocal Alvear keeps her defenders in the game at all times with her effective communication; Masters is quick, skillful and is adept at starting the attack from her defensive position, while Greiner will serve the Clippers defense well with her speed, tackling ability and overlapping runs from the left back position.
The two recruited freshmen will play extremely important roles for the Clippers as both Kareena Seaton (Medford, NY) and Alisha Phillips (Surrey, England) are excellent midfielders who are expected to organize the clippers attack. Seaton, a product of the Long Island Junior Soccer League where she played for the North Bellport Tigers, is adept at organizing the attack from her holding midfield position. Phillips, who learned her soccer in England as a member of Chelsea youth teams, will provide the offensive spark from middle of the park. Both Seaton and Phillips are intelligent and hard-working midfielders who are expected to help usher in the new era in Concordia women's soccer and make an impact in 2008.
