MCLA Women poised for breakout season
The MCLA Women’s Soccer team has posted winning seasons in each of the last two seasons. Last season the Trailblazers notched 12 wins, the most in the last 15 years of the program. In 2008 they shattered many season scoring records including goals, assists, and total points. In 2009, they hope to continue the onslaught and make some noise in the competitive MASCAC
The MCLA Women's Soccer team has posted winning seasons in each of the last two seasons. Last season the Trailblazers notched 12 wins, the most in the last 15 years of the program. In 2008 they shattered many season scoring records including goals, assists, and total points. In 2009, they hope to continue the onslaught and make some noise in the competitive MASCAC. Led by 2007 MASCAC Coach of the Year Deb Raber, MCLA was voted to finish sixth in a conference wide vote. Raber, who is entering her tenth season at the helm of the Trailblazers, returns a potent frontline capable of scoring in bunches.
In 2008, MCLA netted 56 goals. The top three scorers from that team are back in 2009. MCLA returns the single-season record holder for goals and points in a season in junior Jess Tietgens (Stamford, VT). Tietgens, 2nd team All MASCAC in 2008, is also one goal shy of breaking the career record for goals. MCLA also returns senior Jade Prickett (Southampton, MA) and junior Danielle Parenteau (Southampton, MA) who were second and third respectively in scoring last season.
On the defensive side, MCLA will look to its youth to provide support to two returning keepers. MCLA graduated some key defenders but return both keepers in senior Cece Von Tiesenhausen-Hush (Arlington, VT) and sophomore Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY). Both should compete for time in net this season. Wehner is coming off of a knee injury that sidelined her for the majority of 2008. Von Tiesenhausen-Hush returns after a breakout junior season in which she replaced Wehner following her injury. For her efforts, she was rewarded by receiving team MVP honors.
MCLA will open the 2009 campaign with road games against Hamilton (9/5) and Smith College (9/7). They return for the home opener on September 10th against Elms College. The tough conference slate will begin with a home tilt against Bridgewater State College on September 19th. Other notable home games include conference foes Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Framingham State, and the regular season finale against rival Westfield State College. All home games will be played at Ron Shewcraft Field.