Boston College Athletics
Women's Soccer Opens Up Friday vs. Fairfield
August 27, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 27, 2009
Chestnut Hill, MA -
Game 1:
BC vs. Fairfield
Game Time:
7 p.m.
Follow game at
http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer
Boston College opens the 2009 campaign on Friday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Newton Soccer Field against Fairfield University. The Eagles, ranked No. 23 in the NSCAA preseason poll, are 6-0 all-time against the Stags.
BC returns eight starters and 13 letter winners from last year's squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year and for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
Boston College is 5-2 in the last seven season openers. The Eagles record while at home in season openers is 5-0 in the last seven, and 5-1 under Head Coach Alison Kulik..
GRADUATED EAGLES
The Eagles lost five players to graduation - goalkeeper Sarah Buonomo, defenders Caroline Walden, Briana Wilson-Byrne, midfielders Kerri McNicholas and Caitlin Hiler. Three players - Walden, Wilson-Byrne and Hiler were starters. The grads left BC having been to the NCAA Tournament four straight years and reaching the Sweet 16 three times. The five compiled an overall record of 51-18-11 in four years.
NEWCOMERS
The Eagles welcome six new faces to the team - Victoria DiMartino, Kristen Mewis, Maddie Payne, Jessica Petznick, Morgan Hiler and Alicia Blose.
RETURNERS
Boston College does return eight returning starters including 2009 Preseason Hermann Trophy nominees senior Gina DiMartino and sophomore Jillian Mastroianni.
BC scored 40 goals last season, the most since the 2006 team scored 48 goals. BC returns the top five goal scorers - Brooke Knowlton (nine goals), Julia Bouchelle (seven goals), Stephanie Wirth (four goals), Natalie Crutchfield (three goals) and Amy Caldwell (three goals).
Knowlton had a breakout season with nine goals. The junior forward just knows how to score and does not shy away from contact in the box. Bouchelle is returning from an injury which kept her out of the final three games of the season. An ACC All-Rookie team selection, Bouchelle will continue to generate the Eagles offense from the middle of the field.
Wirth was a pleasant surprise and supplied the team with a spark off the bench. She expected to see more time this season. Crutchfield is entering her junior season and is still the fastest player on the roster. She creates issues for any defender because of her ability to just blow by anyone.
Junior Amy Caldwell led the Eagles in assists with six last season. She finished the season with three goals and six assists for 12 points. Caldwell had a tremendous spring and will be another threat up front for BC.
Gina DiMartino, who missed a number of games due to National Team duty, had a solid season with two goals and five assists. Now a senior captain, DiMartino is still one of the most dangerous players on the team with the ball at her feet.
Another key returner for BC is senior Kelly Henderson. A native of Baldwin, NY, Henderson has made the move from the midfield to the back line for the Eagles 2009 campaign. Junior Chelsea Regan is also back from a knee injury. If she remains healthy, Regan's presence in the middle of the field gives the Eagles more depth.
In the back, junior Hannah Cerrone (two goals, five assists, nine points) and sophomore Alyssa Pember will be counted on to steady the defense. Like Henderson who has made the move to the back line with ease, sophomore Alaina Beyar will be making her debut on defense tomorrow night. Beyar was a spark off the bench last season on offense and scored two goals and had an assists in 20 games. Her speed will be an asset on the defensive line this season.
The goalkeeping duties will be handled by sophomore Jillian Mastroianni. A NSCAA All-America third-team selection, Mastroianni posted an impressive 0.79 goals against average and had 10 shut outs as a freshman.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, Aug. 28: BC vs. Fairfield
Youth Day: Autograph session post game
Wed., Sept. 2: BC vs. Boston University
High School Spirit Night
Sunday, Sept. 6: BC vs. Holy Cross
Camper Reunion: Free raffle for winter clinic registration when wearing camp t-shirt
Sunday, Sept. 13: BC vs. Long Beach State
The Council for Women of Boston College Alumni Day: Autograph session post game
Friday, Sept. 18: BC vs. Harvard
ALS Game: Check presentation at halftime for ALS Association
Sunday, Oct. 11: BC vs. Virginia
Student Spirit Day/Varsity Club Event
