NEW PALTZ — At first glance, the 2002 SUNY New Paltz women’s soccer team looks like it’s rebuilding. This year’s roster features just five juniors and seniors and over fifteen underclassmen. But despite their youth, Head Coach Colleen Bruley is excited about her team’s chances this year. “We had a great pre-season,” said Bruley. “Everyone came in really fit and eager to start the season.”
Bruley expects the younger players to step right into the lineup and make an immediate impact. “We’re very young and we’ll probably end up starting eight or nine freshman and sophomores. This is the strongest freshman class we’ve ever had, and I’m hoping for great things from them.”
Headlining the list of newcomers is freshman Amanda Picarelli (Miller Place, NY) who has emerged in the pre- season. “Amanda will be a force in the central midfield or at forward this season. She’s got great vision and ball control and is a born leader.”
Seniors Maria Puccio (Malverne, NY), Kathryn Bart (Malverne, NY), and Geri Streigold (Valley Stream, NY) will provide veteran leadership and the return of sophomore Courtney Muller (Lake Grove, NY), who suffered a season- ending foot injury, will give the Hawks stability on defense.
Coach Bruley also looks for big things from sophomore forward Lauren Martone (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) who earned conference player of the week honors following an eight- point performance in wins over SUNYIT and Russell Sage late in the year. “Lauren has improved even more from last season and I look for her to be very strong up front,” Bruley said.
The SUNY New Paltz women’s soccer team puts their youth movement to the test this Saturday as they kick off their season hosting defending ECAC Metro Champion New York University at 1:00PM.
