2011 Women's Soccer Preview
Sixth year coach Nate Wiley (Geneseo '99) enters the 2011 campaign with a great deal of optimism as the Blue Knights return 14 players that combined for 148 of a possible 198 starts in 2010, including the top seven scorers from a year ago. In 2010, Geneseo posted a 12-6-0 overall record, finished fifth in the SUNYAC at 5-4-0 and fell to Cortland in the first round of the SUNYAC playoffs, ending their 2009 SUNYAC title defense.
The attack features senior strikers Kelly Bergin (Middletown/Pine Bush), who led the team with 28 points on 12 goals and four assists on her way to second team All-SUNYAC, and Anne Beinetti (Honeoye Falls/Homeschooled), who had 10 markers and three helpers for 23 points despite missing four games due to injury. Senior Rian Jock (Altona/Beekmantown) and sophomore Kelly Quinn (Centerport/Harborfields) will play significant time off the bench at forward. Quinn posted three goals in 15 games in 2010.
Wiley's experienced midfield includes seniors Bre Glynn (Holley/Brockport) and Corinne Santariello (Fairport) in the middle and senior Melanie Rocchio (Wantagh/MacArthur) on the outside. Glynn had two goals and four assists on her way to first team All-SUNYAC, Santariello earned third team All-SUNYAC and Rocchio added a goal and three helpers.
Junior Emily Novak (Williamsville/Williamsville South), who scored nine points on three goals and three assists in 2010, and junior Vermont transfer Shannon Spusta (Macedon/Palmyra-Macedon) battle for the remaining outside midfield starting duties. Senior Bella Masotti (Rockville Centre/Kellenberg) and junior Cailin Kowalewski (Fredonia) support the outside effort, while sophomore Alexa Krebs (Clarence Center/Clarence) provides depth in the middle.
The defense is talented and experience despite the graduation of first team All-SUNYAC player Ashley Keogh. Senior Molly Bralower (Rockville Centre/South Side) earned third team All-SUNYAC and will anchor the quartet that includes returning outside starters, senior Alex Miller (Massapequa/Kellenberg) and junior Bethany Kwarta (Pittsford/Sutherland). Sophomore Olivia Panepinto (Stony Point/North Rockland) moves back from midfield to give Wiley a dangerous offensive weapon out of the back line.
Sophomore Alexa Vojvodic (Mineola/Sacred Heart) and juniors Katie Beale (Penfield) and Stephanie Verdino (Great River/East Islip) give Wiley a multitude of depth and flexibility at the position.
Sophomore Julia Sanger (Penfield/Fairport) takes over in nets for the graduated Katie Clerkin, who started 54 of 56 games over the past three seasons, and first year Allison Stamp (Montour Falls/Odessa-Montour) serves as the backup.
Wiley's roster includes sophomore defender Michelle Barnum (Fairport), sophomore forward Erin Beach (Commack/St. John the Baptist), first year forward Allison Kopunek (West Nyack/Clarkstown), first year midfielders Brittany Young (Fairport) and Emily Papke (Akron) and first year defenders Shannon Kopunek (West Nyack/Clarkstown) and Karlee McCorry (Rochester/Spencerport).
The Knights will open their season at the Rochester tournament versus Skidmore on Friday, September 2, with the home opener coming on Tuesday, September 6 versus St. Lawrence at 4 p.m.