Salem State University Athletics

2010 Women's Soccer Preview

Head coach Nicolle Wood will lead an experienced Salem State squad into the 2010 women's soccer campaign. With a talented senior class returning, the fifth year coach will look for their leadership to make up for a disappointing end to the 2009 season. The Lady Vikings, who dropped their final five games in a row, finished 8-9 overall and in fifth place in the MASCAC conference. It was the second consecutive season that the Lady Vikings failed to reach the conference post-season tournament.

To turn things around, coach Wood will rely on her veterans to help the team break through and contend for a conference playoff berth this season. Expectations will be high as Salem State returns five all-conference performers from a year ago, including three-time first-team All-MASCAC selection Erin O'Brien. The senior co-captain has been one of the league's top scorers over the past three years, finishing last season fifth overall in the conference with 22 points with eight goals and six assists.
Fellow co-captain midfielder KatyLyn Verrette who was one of the MASCAC leaders in assists and first-team All-MASCAC defender Taylor Orlando are expected to be the backbone of the team’s transitional play. 

Joining this talented group will be senior Cathy Greenough. Greenough was a second-team all-conference pick and has been a solid performer at the sweeper position the past three years. Other key returners for the Vikings include All- MASCAC striker Jackie Gauthier, All-MASCAC midfielder Karly Henderson, juniors Alyssa Konsavitch, Katie DeMaio and Steph Zina, and last year’s top rookie performer Lauren Kilduff. The Lady Vikings also look forward to adding depth at the goalkeeper position. Newcomer Lauren Garchinsky, who sat out the 2009 season with a torn ACL, will join returner Leah Potcner at the net minder position. 

The 2010 incoming class is ripe with talent. Included in this group are Megan Saffie a three-time Catholic Central League All-Star and two-year All State selection from Lowell Catholic High School and Veronica Poirier who helped lead Newburyport High School to back-to-back state championships.

With plenty of returning talent and depth, coach Wood hopes that last years unexpected losing streak will motivate her team to exceed expectations this fall. "After a disappointing finish in the 2009 campaign, I expect the girls to challenge for a spot in the MASCAC playoffs this season. The coaching staff is excited to see what our talented senior class will get done this year, and with a solid core of returners and another strong recruiting class, we look forward to pre-season to see what type of team dynamic will develop."

The Lady Vikings open their season at home on September 1st against Endicott College at 6:00 PM.