Lauren Riiff
Lauren Riiff

The Time Is Now for Women’s Soccer; Season Preview

8/30/2010 4:36:27 PM

Philadelphia, PA – (8/30/2010) – The Chestnut Hill College women's soccer program was resurrected in many ways with the success of the 2009 season. But Head Coach Seamus O'Connor and the Griffins are not satisfied with just achieving. The Griffins now aspire to excel. Returning ten starters, including Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Player of the Year, junior forward Lauren Riiff (Clementon, N.J.), Coach O'Connor expects a more consistent and commanding style of play.
 
O'Connor is confident in his team capability, stating, “Many of our sophomores come into this season with experience thanks to starting last year. I am looking for the team to perform more consistently throughout the season. We want to excel in every facet of play and start dictating the game's course.” Riiff and fellow All-CACC selection, junior defender Lauren Brown (Dover, DE) have been selected to lead the 2010 campaign as team captains. Riff totaled 26 points last year; with 12 goals and two assists she directed the Griffins to a four-seed in the CACC Championship Tournament and earned herself Daktronics Inc. All-East Region status. Brown and senior midfielder Tara Morey (Pittsgrove, N.J.) earned All-CACC Second Team selections. Morey has totaled 13 goals and seven assists in two seasons at Chestnut Hill College while Brown partnered with sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Veazey (Middletown, DE) to anchor the defense.
 
Including Veazey, the Griffins welcome back seven sophomores who saw significant playing time last season. Veazey finished among the CACC's top five keepers in goals-against-average (1.51, 5th), saves (105, 5th), and shutouts (3, 5th). She is joined by midfielder Mary Veach (Rocky Point, N.Y.), defender Shannon Catts (Elmer, N.J.) and defender Joan Quinn (Trenton, N.J.), who each played regularly in the Griffin backfield. Three other sophomores were important contributors to the offense. Forward Alyssa Radetich (Sewell, N.J.) ranked second on the team in goals (7) and tied for second in point (15), midfielder Amanda Botbyl (Mays Landing, N.J.) recorded three goals and three assists, while fellow midfielder Maggie Faselt (Newtown, N.J.) came on strong at season's end to total four goals.

On top of the returning talent the roster will also carry a host of gifted newcomers, all of whom will be required to contribute if the Griffins are to meet O'Connor's expectations. The Griffins are determined on a return to CACC postseason play and they aim to improve on last year's result. O'Connor believes this year's collection of talent can surpass the achievements of the program's past. In closing, O'Connor challenges his team, “Last year we started out very well but we faded as towards the end. Consistency alone will win us more games, but more than that, we need to take control of our future. Allowing fewer goals, scoring more, possessing the ball, and evolving along with the season are all ways in which this team can take their game to that next level”
 
The women's soccer team will have their first opportunity to make an impression on their coach and upcoming opponents when they open the 2010 season with a 3:00 p.m. contest at West Chester University on Thursday, September 2.
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