St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Women's Soccer 2007 Outlook
9/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
August 21, 2007
Fresh off a school-record five BIG EAST victories and quarterfinal appearance in the conference's postseason tournament, head coach Ian Stone has assembled a 2007 Red Storm women's soccer squad primed to build on last year's successes and push its potential even further.
With a mixture of veteran leadership and hungry underclassmen, St. John's is looking for its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth and continued success in the country's largest Division I conference, the 16-team BIG EAST.
On top of talent already in place, Stone has added a five-person recruiting class ready to make an immediate impact on the conference scene. Meanwhile, the Red Storm's state-of-the-art facility, Belson Stadium, provides one of the nation's best home field advantages.
"We're excited to emulate last season's success, as well as build on an excellent spring season and summer workouts," Stone said.
FORWARDS & ATTACK
Senior Krystle Jalalian headlines the gifted cast of goal-scorers for the Red Storm. Despite battling injuries in both her sophomore and junior seasons, the West Coast native (Burien, Wash.) was a big part of the Red Storm's success last year with three goals and four assists.
Jalalian's three goals ranked second on the team after then-senior Natasha Lee. "We need Krystle to pick up the slack that Natasha Lee's graduation has left. Her strength and ability with her back to goal will be the platform to our team's offense," Stone says
Sophomores Kelly McConnell, Kaitlin Haas, Amanda Santos, Tatiana Duggan and Nicole Canning will also figure into the attacking lineup. McConnell saw time mostly at outside midfielder last season and assisted on a team-high five goals, while Haas scored a goal and was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Santos contributed a goal and two assists last year and gained more experience playing in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for the New England Mutiny this summer, while Duggan was the Red Storm's leading scorer during the spring season. Canning also saw time in the WPSL for the Real Shore and provided key minutes in a reserve role last season.
Maria DeMatteo will also compete for time in the attack. She was a member of the Eastern New York North Olympic Development Program (ODP) team and Stone says "Maria will see time in the forward positions as she is very athletic."
MIDFIELD
Erin Bohn returns for her senior season as the team's longest-tenured central midfielder. The fifth-year senior had two goals last year while serving as the team's field general.
"Erin is a real success story in terms of how much she's improved during her time at St. John's," Stone says. "We will really rely on her experience and leadership."
Junior Brittany Cavarra has two years of experience under her belt in the midfield and saw action 15 games last year while playing through a hip injury, contributing an assist.
The Pasciolla twins, sophomores Nicole and Amanda, will again be called upon for their work ethic and competitiveness in the midfield. Nicole was named to the All-BIG EAST third team and Soccer Buzz Magazine Freshman All-America fourth team following the 2006 season while Amanda netted three goals in her rookie season.
"Nicole and Amanda bring a tireless work rate and unmatched competitiveness, in addition to serving as great role models in their lifestyle, training habits, academics and nutrition," Stone says.
Fellow sophomores Courtney Curby, Sarah McGrath and Jessica Simonetti will also figure into the midfield lineups, as all three saw significant action during their freshman campaigns.
Curby fits the mold of a BIG EAST Conference player in her athleticism and ability to win 50-50 balls, while McGrath gained experience playing this summer in the Irish Women's League and the World University Games. Simonetti also spent her summer playing soccer, with the Long Island Rough Riders of the W-League.
Kristine Cunningham may also see time in the midfield, as she looks to springboard experience as a reserve in 2006 and provide depth.
Three newcomers will also look to make an impact. Raelynne Lee joins the Red Storm all the way from Lake Stevens, Wash., where she was a member of the Washington State Olympic Development Team (ODP) from 2003-06.
"Raelynne is a dynamic soccer player who should fit in well with our style of play," Stone says. "She works very hard and has the versatility to play either central or wide midfield."
Alicia Barnaby and Anna Torregiano are two in-state products and newcomers that will see time in the midfield. "Alicia is quick, technical and we'll look for her to combine with our other midfield players in order to create goal-scoring opportunities," Stone says. "Anna has worked tirelessly over the summer and she is a player whose future we are very excited about."
BACKFIELD
Stone calls his defense one of the team's strongest areas, citing experience and depth. Leading the way is senior Susan Byrne, who spent the summer with the Irish National Team after starting 16 games last year and notching a goal and an assist.
"Susan is one of the most underrated defenders in the conference in my opinion," Stone says. "She's composed, organizes well and is tenacious on the tackle."
Alongside Byrne will be fellow senior Julianna Cohen, who started all 19 games last year and netted a goal while adding an assist.
"Julianna looks quick and strong after rehabbing from an injury in the spring," Stone says. "She communicates her great knowledge of the game very effectively."
Junior Jacklyn James also has experience in a variety of defensive positions and played in 13 games last season. "Jackie is determined to prove herself in the defense over the course of the next year," Stone says. "She has improved tremendously throughout her career and is becoming an excellent leader."
Stone also expects special things from his sophomore class of defenders: Vaila Barsley, TaraMendoza, Courtney Lane, and Nicole Doran.
Barsley was one of the most exciting newcomers on the BIG EAST Conference scene in 2006, earning third team All-BIG EAST, third team Freshman All-America and second team All-Northeast Region honors. The 6-0 versatile defender also had four goals and an assist.
"Vaila is phenomenal in the air and she scored some big goals for us last year," Stone says. "Her competitiveness and desire to win has greatly influenced the rest of the team."
Mendoza and Lane also had impressive freshmen seasons, as Mendoza started all 19 games and Lane registered three assists. "Tara is so consistent and reliable and she really had a great spring and summer," Stone says. "Courtney has a great deal of talent and obviously her ability to strike a ball with her left foot is invaluable to our team."
Doran and Cunningham, meanwhile, will each look to provide depth in the backfield. Freshman Jessica Hnatiuk will also compete for playing time on defense. "Jess has been performing well in the WPSL over the summer with her Central Delaware team," Stone says.
GOALKEEPERS
"From a goalkeeping perspective, the fact that this will be our first full year with a full time goalkeeping coach [Jessica Clinton] will be a huge advantage. We noticed a big difference in the spring with the improvement that Jaime Beran made. She's looking good, fit and playing well. And obviously we're hoping Rebecca Capinera makes a full recovery from last season's knee injury to compete for the starting position," Stone says.
Beran emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the conference in 2006, starting all 19 games and posting a career-best 0.97 goals-against average. She also recorded a career-best 84 saves and a stellar eight shutouts.
Capinera, meanwhile, will look to return to form after suffering a season-ending knee injury after playing in one game last season. The junior made 17 appearances in her freshman campaign and had 70 saves.
