8-28-08

ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Lycoming College women’s soccer team was selected to finish in a tie for sixth place in the Commonwealth Conference, as announced in the preseason poll released by the league office on Thursday, Aug. 28. The Lady Warriors will open the season this weekend.

Defending champion Messiah (23-1) was selected atop the poll with 43 points, including six first-place votes. The Falcons only loss in 2007 was a 1-0 defeat against Wheaton in the National Championship game. Last year’s runner-up, Elizabethtown, was picked second with 38 points and the final first-place nod. Arcadia and Widener followed in a tie for third place with 28 points each. Lebanon Valley was selected fifth (27) while Lycoming and Albright were picked in a tie for sixth with 16 points.

Head coach Joe Balduino led the Lady Warriors to a winning mark of 9-8 in his first season at the helm of the program and looks to improve on the team’s progress again this year.

“We came a long way last year,” Balduino said. “But the goal this year is to keep building the program and improving our record within the challenging Commonwealth Conference.”

Lycoming will be led offensively by senior captain Bekah Shipe, who earned second team All-Conference honors last season. Shipe finished the 2007 campaign with 11 goals and five assists to rank seventh in the league in scoring. She enters the 2008 season with 25 career goals and 63 points, needing only one goal and three points to tie the all-time scoring records at Lycoming.

Shipe will be joined up front by sophomore Kaitlin Horn, who led the team in assists in 2007 and was named Freshman of the Year. Two newcomers are expected to make an immediate impact on the team. Sophomore transfer Kati Shaner and freshman Kelly Prendergast were both impressive during camp. Shaner transferred to Lycoming after playing last season at Misericordia University and Prendergast is projected to be one of the top freshman athletes in the conference.

Seniors Steph Shearer and Sarah Wingerden will be joined by sophomore Victoria Michael at midfield. The trio brings a wealth of experience to the position, including a season of playing together in the same unit.

A talented group of newcomers will vie for time in the midfield, headlined by transfer Kari Shaner. Kari is the twin sister of Kati and also joins the team after playing for Misericordia in 2007. Joining Shaner will be freshmen Jussae Hanford, Kayla Leininger and Kari Lenz.

Senior captain Dana Steinbruch and junior captain Samantha Jo Bell will anchor the defense and will be joined by fellow returners in the form of senior Sam Leslie and junior Hallie Weakland. Newcomer Kari Shaner could move from the midfield to play defense and freshman Ashley Sitler will also vie for time in the backfield.

Junior Brie Pepe is projected to start the season as the goalkeeper. She will be pushed by sophomore Danielle Coady and freshman Chelsea Powers.

The Lady Warriors travel to Susquehanna this weekend and will open the season on Saturday, Aug. 30 with a 2 p.m. matchup against Mary Washington. Lycoming will face York at noon on Sunday, Aug. 31 to close out the Susquehanna Kickoff Classic.

Commonwealth Conference Preseason Women’s Soccer Poll

1. Messiah                  43 points (6)

2. Elizabethtown          38 points (1)

3t. Arcadia                   28 points

3t. Widener                  28 points

5. Lebanon Valley         27 points

6t. Lycoming               16 points

6t. Albright                    16 points