Optimism surrounds women’s soccer team after opening win

Coming off of a 4-12-3 season in 2007 there is nowhere to go but up for Millersville’s women’s soccer team.

Head coach Mike O’Brien, will be leaning on a plethora of young talent in his third year as coach.  There are a handful of seniors on the club that will provide good leadership for the young Marauder team.  Leading the charge will be senior midfielder Sarah Cameron .  Guarding the goal will be senior Jamie Lancaster who did not allow a goal in her 35 minutes of action last year.  Sophomore midfielder Olivia Taylor will be expected to step up again this year as she was the only player to start all 18 games last year.  As a freshman   The freshmen and sophomores appear ready to help the team regain its form this year.

“We are looking forward to a much more positive season this year. Many of our young, new players have been proving to be a great addition to the team,” said junior defender Nicki Conzentino.
Goal scoring was a problem last season for Millersville.

A member of the women's soccer team tries to push the ball up the field during practice. Photo by Jeff Conner.

“There were too many ties and 1-0 losses for us last season so the need for an improvement in scoring was obvious. Starting out the season with a win against Philly U, having scored two goals, was a great accomplishment for us,” stated Conzentino .  Improved goal scoring will undoubtedly help the team to a much stronger record this year.  Scoring early also helped set the tone that this is a different club from last year.

“Staying positive and playing tough was the key today,” senior Sarah Cameron said.

Last season it was not until the fifth game that the Marauders scored their first goal so the improvement is obvious.  In 2007 the girls were held scoreless 12 times while scoring more than one goal only four times. The ladies will hit the road for a key PSAC game in West Chester on September 3rd.  They will finish up the week at home against Concord on Friday September 5th.  It is a new era for Millersville’s women’s soccer team and there is plenty of reason for optimism.