Women's Soccer

Women's Soccer 2008 Season Outlook

The start of the 2008 season brings with it many new faces as the Wilmington University Women’s Soccer program look to fill the holes left by their large and successful 2007 graduating senior class. The team will not look to slow down however, as they have added ten new players to their roster. First year head coach Josh Ruggiero has also added former Wildcat goalkeeper Greg Cope, to his staff as they look to continue the success that former head coach Dave Bugda had built. Coach Ruggiero has moved up from his position of assistant coach to take the reins of a Wilmington University team that has the talent and skill to go deep into the postseason. The team will look to follow the leadership of their captains in returning seniors Caitlin Robinson (Padua Academy/Garnet Valley, PA) and Kelsey LaPlume (Mercy/Bel Air, MD), along with junior Nicole Meis (GlassboroGlassboro, NJ) and sophomore Danielle Niccoli (Kenwood/Sparrows Point, MD). “Each of our captains brings something special to the team, both on the field and off. They are great examples of what Wilmington University soccer is all about and have earned the opportunity to lead this team, as we build on the success we had last season,” Coach Ruggiero stated.

The 2007 squad saw many honors last year, as they led the conference in many offensive categories on their way to a record of 14-6-2. Last season, the Wildcats had their first All-American, in first-team selection Begum Malali. Malali also earned All-Region honors along with being named the Cetnral Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Player of the Year. Caitlin Robinson and Kirsten Stallone were awarded All-Conference honors as well.

Returning sophomore, Kirsten Stallone (Bohemia Manor/Elkton, MD), will look to continue her success from the 2007 season where she was named CACC Rookie of the Year. Joining her will be fellow striker and midfielder Ashli Gerlach (Red Lion/Red Lion, PA), who also made her own imprint on the ’07 season. Rounding out the cast of returning players are junior goalkeeper Amanda Jenkins (Kenwood/Baltimore, MD), sophomore defender Chelsea Genco (C. Milton Wright/Churchville, MD) and Middletown High School standouts Sam Simpson and Megan Whalen (Middletown, DE).

The incoming freshmen looking to make an impact right away are midfielder Angelica Appold (C. Milton Wright/Bel Air, MD), defender Jessica Graybeal (Havre de Grace/Havre de Grace, MD), forward Lyndsie Ludwig (C. Milton Wright/Bel Air, MD), goalkeeper Kasey McCusker (Rising Sun/Rising Sun, MD), midfielder Amanda Pearl (Newark/Newark, DE), forward Taryn Sanchez (Aberdeen/Havre de Grace, MD), and defender Kory Webster (Bel Air/Abingdon, MD). Also joining the team for the first year are red-shirt freshman forward Klaudia Furman (Catholic/Baltimore, MD), sophomore goalkeeper Kendra Ness (Red Lion/Red Lion, PA) and transfer midfielder Ashley Smith (Aberdeen/Aberdeen, MD).

“In many cases, this would be looked at as a rebuilding year for a program with a new head coach and several new players on the roster. We don’t look at it that way. We want to continue to build our program to compete with the best. We have no “one” superstar, but with the amount of talent we have here now, this could be one of the deepest squad’s Wilmington has ever put on the field. The coaching staff is expecting great things from this team.”