NEWTON, Mass. – The 2014 Mount Ida College women's soccer team saw their season come to a close just two games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament. That being said, there is a sense of motivation in preseason this year and the 2015 team seems to have a chip on their shoulder.
According to Head Coach Greg Hagan, the squad is biting at the bit to appear in their first ever GNAC quarterfinal match.
Hagan, in his 5th season, and assistant coaches Janelle Jablonski (2nd season) and Alan Goggs (1st season) are also eager to start the regular season to see what the 2015 season holds for the Mustangs.
"We're very excited for this season and there is a very serious sense of urgency in this year's team," said Hagan. "We have a large freshman class this year mixed with an even bigger returning class, and the team chemistry on and off the field has been absolutely tremendous thus far into preseason."
Hagan, whose team finished last season with a final record of 3-13-1 (2-8-1 GNAC) which was good for 9th place is hoping the hard work the coaching staff has seen thus far will put them in the driver's seat for the 2015 campaign.
Just like the 2014 season, the Mustangs were selected to finish in ninth place in the 2015 GNAC women's soccer poll. "Of course this is extra motivation for the girls," explained Hagan of his team. "This program has never qualified for the GNAC tournament, and we're really planning on changing that this year."
The Mustangs are led by a returning class of 13 players and will look to a lot of these veterans to help lead the Mustangs in what turns out to be a grueling 2015 schedule, which starts out with five of their first 7 games on the road. The Mustangs also welcome a freshman class of 12 players in which some of them are expected to make an immediate impact.
Experience begins between the pipes for the Mustangs as graduate student Nickole Soto (Marlboro, Mass.) is returning from a torn ACL last season which sidelined her for the last two games of the 2014 season. "Nickole brings a stellar work ethic to the field every day and her commitment and dedication to the women's soccer program has gone a long way as her teammates voted her as one of three captains this year," said Hagan. Soto joined the team last September and made an immediate impact while notching three straight wins over Anna Maria, Wheelock and Norwich while allowing one goal in that stretch. Soto is a fearless leader and a vocal keeper who the Mustangs will rely on in 2015. Freshman keeper Kelsey Parkin (Standish, Me.) will also be fighting with Soto for time in between the pipes. Parkin, a standout at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine and Velocity Soccer Club will look to set the tone early for her teammates in the cage for the Mustangs.
Defensively, the Mustangs will be led by a plethora of returning players, who will look to anchor the back line. Hailey Serino (Northwood, N.H.), Hannah Lilac (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.), Rachel Lambert (Lebanon, Ct.), Libby Andreasen (Gorham, Me.) and Heather Pollock (Middleton, Mass.) are all looking to battle for a starting spot in preseason. Serino, Lilac, Lambert and Pollock all saw significant minutes in 2014 as freshmen and will be relied on heavily this year to contribute even more. Andreasen, a stellar defender, who was also voted as a co-captain for 2015 will also see a lot of time in the middle of the field as her understanding of the game and smart play will certainly be a very valuable asset to the green and white.
Now in their sophomore season, Serino, Lilac, Lambert and Pollock have made tremendous strides since their freshmen season and each one of them will surely see the field this season. "Our back line is going to have a lot of experience, but will also see some freshman look to make some noise as well," said Hagan. Freshmen Tayler White (West Chesterfield, N.H.), Alejandra Lopez (Coacalco Metepec, Mexico) and Jan'e Junor (Bloomfield, Ct.) will all look to compete for time in the back.
The Mustangs will have a variety of options in the midfield this year, including the return of sophomore Morgan Rzonca (Bristol, Ct.) who was voted a team captain. "Having Morgan being voted a team captain this year says a lot about what her teammates think of her after just one season under her belt. We will surely look for Morgan to produce for us this season," said Hagan. Joining Rzonca in the in the middle of the field will be Andreasen and freshman standout Emily Oltmanns (Golden, CO). Oltmanns, a center mid from Golden High School in Colorado is a vocal leader with great skill and knowledge of the game who has the ability to take on defenders one on one and score with either foot. "Emily is a player we are relying on this year to score some goals for us," said Hagan. "She is a very talented player and we're lucky to have her for the next four years."
Juniors Hannah Brackett (Voorheesville, N.Y.) and Alex Lincoln (Stamford, Vt.) will look to contribute right away for the Mustangs. Both have seen significant playing time in their three year careers thus far. Brackett was third on the team last year with four goals and one assist, so the coaching staff is relying on Brackett to add to those numbers this year. Lincoln has made a significant leap over the last year for the Mustangs. "Alex is one of the hardest working players I've ever had the privilege to coach," said Hagan. "Alex is a great listener and has always strived to be successful since she stepped foot onto this campus, she will certainly factor into the equation this season." Rounding out the returning midfield players are junior Chloe Segal (Needham, Mass.) and sophomore Kristin Daley (Byfield, Mass.) who will also battle for time.
Freshmen Nikki Laudon (Lee, Mass.), Lacey Perry (Westport, Mass.), and Lauren Liscio (Wilmington, Mass.) are all hungry to get on the field and play in their freshman campaigns and all three have shown their eagerness so far in preseason.
Easily the deepest position on the field for the Mustangs in 2015 will be up top, led by senior and leading goal scorer for Mount Ida from 2014 Isabelle Moody (Naugatuck, Ct.). Moody, a 2014 GNAC 3rd Team All-Conference selection will look to add to her eight goals and two assists in 2015 while bolstering the front line for the Mustangs. "Izzy is one of the best players in the GNAC in my opinion," Hagan explained. "She sets the tone of the game from the opening kickoff whether that is with a goal or the physicality side of things. We will certainly need her to be at her best this season." Joining Moody up top will be the return of sophomore Alee Bonola (Windsor, Ct.). Bonola is one of the fastest players in this conference and will surely be a difference maker for the Mustangs this season. Bonola and Moody combined for 13 goals and 4 assists in 2014, so each will be looking to increase those numbers this season. Rounding out the front line will be freshmen Deirdre Volk (Windsor, Ct.), Haley Falzone (Maynard, Mass.), Shardae Lobo (Randolph, Mass.) and Ashley Koll (Arlington, Mass.)
Mount Ida will open the regular season on the road on Tuesday, September 1st with a 4:00 contest against the Gators of Pine Manor College. Two days later, the Mustangs will open up at home against Curry College under the lights at 7:00 PM on Alumni Field.
The team's GNAC opener will be Saturday, September 12th, when the Mustangs travel to Northfield, Vermont to take on the Cadets of Norwich University with game time slated for 7:30 PM.