University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Women's Soccer On The Attack
August 31, 2007 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 31, 2007
AMHERST - There's been a personality change on the University of Massachusetts women's soccer team, and now they're on the attack.
The "attacking personality" is the result of the hard work the team put in during last winter and spring in preparing for what should be an excellent 2008 season.
"We spent that time improving our technical skill, and developing an attacking personality," UMass coach Jim Rudy said. "These kids want to go forward, we've improved our flair."
UMass opens its season today by playing the University of Maine at 4 p.m. at Kingston, R.I. The Minutewomen are coming off an 11-6, 5-4 A-10 season, and those numbers may get even better.
And things could improve as the season goes along. Rudy will still have to wait before the return of standout senior defender Tina Rodriguez, who is still recovering from a knee injury suffered last Oct. 1 against La Salle that ended her season. And talented midfielder Christina Nunes is out with a knee injury suffered in the scrimmage against Siena.
Senior Britt Canfield of Granville, who scored seven goals last season, remains the big threat up front. Junior Vanessa Patry may temporarily slip back to midfield while Nunes recovers.
The midfield is extremely deep with the likes of now healthy Meghan Gould stepping in after appearing in only 11 matches as a freshman last year because of an injury.
Then there's the valuable contribution of senior Jenny Roehrig, who might find some time on the right flank until at least the injury picture clears up. Rudy says that it makes sense to put Roehrig on the right side because her service is so good.
Freshman midfielder Therese Smith of Holyoke has a lot of potential. "She is very, very skillful," Rudy said.
On the left side, sophomore Katie Ruggles replaces graduated Nadia Villarroel. "She runs the flank like a stallion," Rudy said.
On defense, it's a great mix with two Massachusetts native and newcomers, Kelsey Anderson and Alyssa Visconti, looking to earn serious playing time while working with a unit that has solid veterans like senior Kaelyn Caldwell.
Anderson, a two-time captain at Saugus High School, is the all-time leading point scorer at that school. She compiled 22 goals and 16 assists as a senior. Visconti was the most valuable player last year at North Reading High School, and was an all-state selection the last two years.
Up front, Rudy continues to be impressed by the talent of sophomore Sydney Stoll.
"She's so quick that we've got to keep her in the center of the field because we don't want to waste her talents by having her go outside and serve the ball."
Sophomore Jacquelyn Desjardins of South Hadley also returns.
Goalkeeping is solid with the return of senior Kristin Walker, who had a career best goals against average of 0.96 last year. She will be backed up by sophomore Lauren Luckey, who gained experience as backup for the New England Mutiny during the summer, and senior Melissa Jubinville of Agawam.
UMass' home opener is Sept. 7 against Iona at 4:30 p.m.
