The University of Tampa women’s soccer team opened its season on Sept. 3.
The squad traveled to the Columbus State Tournament to face the University of West Georgia and Newberry College. Before looking into this season, here is a recap of the past.
Last year, the UT women’s team finished the season with a 6-11-1 record, and a 2-6-0 record in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC).
The team lost a few major counterparts from their 2009 team; Sara Kneeland, Saige Steinmetz and Kendall Bourdon are three players who are not returning this year after impacting the women’s team last season.
Kneeland was second on the squad in goals with six on the year, while Steinmetz and Bourdon were the starting goalkeepers. Steinmetz compounded 19 saves in 780 minutes and Bourdon had 37 saves in 859 minutes.
Although these players were leaders on the team, this year’s Spartans have had great preseason success despite the absence of those three key members.
“We have brought in a top quality group of freshmen and transfer students who have an excellent foundation in the game physically, mentally, technically and tactically,” Head Coach Gerry Lucey said of the new additions to the roster. “Overall, this group comes in at a much higher level than the overall talent level last year.”
Returning this year are four NSCAA All-South Region third team selections, including Pasquale Anderson, Samantha Kay, Jazmin Perry and Brittan Spence. Perry was the 2009 team leader in both points and goals, while Kay was the leader in shots. Anderson was a top defender and Spence powered the team at midfield.
Their presence seems to be beneficial early in the season. “Our returning players had a very good spring season and came back in good physical condition ready to attack the new campaign with vigor,” Lucey said.
New players this year include a total of 13 freshmen and a few key transfers. Junior Alex DellaRocco, a from the University of New Haven, will be both a forward and goalkeeper. Also, senior Luana Miessa, a 2009 red shirt, will begin to play for the UT club. Two freshmen, Carolyn Simon and Alyson Gregorowicz both had impressive preseasons.
The women’s squad played three preseason games this August, outscoring their opponents 18-2.
Lucey explains that the preseason went so well that he and the other coaches “could enjoy seeing the group develop from day one.”
At the end of the last preseason game versus the 2009 NCAA Division II champions, Grand Valley State University, the two teams drew 1-1, an improvement from the 4-0 loss UT endured last year to the same team.
The game against the University of West Georgia on Sept. 3 was the first chance for Tampa to display its 2010 talent, both new and old.
Although the team had recent success against West Georgia the past two seasons, Coach Lucey reminds onlookers did not overlook the team.
“You never know how a team changes and how good they will be,” Lucey said. The game ended with a victorious 3-0 score, with goals coming from Luanna Miessa, Natalie Gibson and Jazmin Perry.
The team also faced Newberry College on Sept. 5, adding a second win, and second shutout, to its record.
The score was 1-0 with the lone goal scored by Luanna Miessa, her second of the season. Samantha Kay had the assist on Tampa’s only goal, on top of an assist she tallied versus West Georgia.
“We displayed a lot of energy, drive and composure in Georgia and hope to maintain those levels and gradually increase as we head into the games against Warner and Queens this weekend,” Head Coach Gerry Lucey said.
Considering both the returning talent as well as the newcomers, Coach Lucey is confident with the team and thinks they can have more success than last year’s squad.
“It should be a far better season than last year and the girls know that their fate is controlled by themselves,” he said.
“We are looking forward to playing at home this week. The girls were fantastic last weekend and improved greatly between game one and game two,” said the Head Coach. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us and there are still a couple of players on the injured list. If the team applies themselves we believe we have a great season ahead of us. “
UT women’s soccer team will be up against Warner University on Sept. 10 at its home field, Pepin Stadium at 7 p.m.
Maya Todd can be reached at mtodd@spartans.ut.edu.