Thursday, August 22nd, 2012 (Newton, Massachusetts) - The Mount Ida College women’s soccer team will return a veteran class of 12 players as the Mustangs welcome 10 incoming freshmen and two transfers for the 2012 season. After a transitioning 2011 campaign, first year Head Coach Greg Hagan will aim to get the Mustangs back into Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) post-season play immediately with big moves in the off-season.
The biggest off-season need for the Mustangs was goalkeeping for a player to come in and contribute right away. The Mustangs will have just that, as a goalkeeping battle during pre-season between freshmen Samantha Basler (Plymouth, MA/Plymouth North), Alexis Gould (Leominster, MA/St. Bernard’s) and Kaitlyn Berube (Fall River, MA/Diamond Regional Voc. Tech.) looks to unfold.
Returning to the back four is senior tri-captain Meghan Moriarty (Holbrook, MA/Holbrook) and Brittany Yost (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville). After a year of studying abroad, senior Kayla Musty (Topsham, VT/Oxbow) will be heavily relied on to supply some high level defense for the Mustangs. Freshmen newcomers Isabelle Moody (Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck) and Sarah Gitlin (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury) as well as University of New Hampshire transfer Shawna McGoldrick (Watertown, MA/Watertown) will be looked to right away to help stabilize the Mustangs defense.
Returning to the central midfield will be senior tri-captains Elena Ooms (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) and Devan Meeker (Bantam, CT/Litchfield) as well as rising sophomore Sierra Legge (Schodack Landing, NY/Maple Hill). After a year away, senior Heather Harrington (Bedford, NH/Manchester West) will be looked upon to make an immediate impact on the outside. Freshmen Kelleigh Lombard (Saugus, MA/Melrose), Jenna Perkins (Nottingham, NH/Coe Brown Northwood Academy) and Maegan Hernberg (Eastford, CT/Woodstock Academy) will be looked upon to provide instant help in the center midfield.
In the striker position, the Mustangs will feature Newbury College sophomore transfer Briana Tomaselli (Warwick, RI/Pilgrim), Lombard and senior Alison Koning (Carlisle, MA/Concord Carlisle). The 2012 season looks to be a promising one under Head Coach Hagan as they look to embark on a return to the GNAC tournament.