Women have sights set on deep postseason run
Pete Theis
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: Sports
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Staff Writer
After a strong 2007 season in which the team captured the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship and advanced to the College Cup, the Loyola Women's soccer team looks poised for more this season. They have a new coach at the helm in Katherine Vettori and a veteran squad eager to go deep in the playoffs. Last year, under coach John Byford, the Hounds went 10-6-4 and advanced to play Virginia in the College Cup, where their season ended with a 4-0 loss.
"We want to reach the second round of the NCAA's. With our team returning almost all of our starters this is the year we can do it," senior co-captain Amanda Piccirilli said.
The Hounds return 10-of-11 starters from a year ago, including four 2008 Preseason All-MAAC first-team players, seniors Lea Day and Sarra Moller, junior Brittany Henderson and sophomore Lina Staropoli.
"I have never seen such a hard-working group throughout preseason," Vettori said. "They are extremely cohesive and supportive of one another."
The mission for this year's squad is to make some serious noise. "Our goal for this year is to go further than ever before," Vettori said. "We realize that it is no easy task, but we are definitely looking to surprise some people. We want to do better than ever."
The Greyhounds will have their work cut out for them as they were picked to finish second in the conference behind a strong Marist team, which boasts two first team all-MAAC selections, Maria Baez and Lauren Tillotson.
Captains Moller, Day and Piccirilli have already given positive leadership to the rest of the team, according to Vettori. Count on their voices to be heard for a successful Greyhound campaign. "I hope that from the way I present myself people can look up to me," Moller said. "Hopefully I can keep this season going as long as I possibly can."
Forwards/Midfield
The Greyhounds return a slew of scoring threats that should keep the squad ready to strike at any point during the game. Seniors Day and Theresa Ferraina combined for 14 goals and four assists last year. Both are explosive players, and Ferraina connected for Loyola's lone goal against powerhouse Virginia during their first-round loss in the College Cup.
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