The Rocket

Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Sophomore midfielder Alexis Chiani (#17) is going to be a key component to Head Coach Noreen Herlihy's squad. The Rock, returning seven starters, is looking for its fourth NCAA regional berth in six years. The success of the team is going to depened on a young and inexperienced defense, where Chiani, as a sophomore, is the most game-tested. [Click to enlarge]

The Rock women's soccer team enters the 2007 season looking to continue a successful five-year run, including two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles ('03 and '05) and five consecutive conference semifinal appearances.

Head Coach Noreen Herlihy's squad, which went 12-7-1 overall and 8-2-0 in the PSAC in 2006, returns seven starters from a team which earned its third NCAA regional tournament berth since 2001, before a semifinal loss to national final-four participant and PSAC-East foe West Chester.

The Rock attack will be led by senior midfielder Megan McGrath, a three-time first-team all-region and All-PSAC West performer, and junior forward Danielle Cooper, the team's leading scorer from a year ago (nine goals, six assists), who also earned All-PSAC West honors. Also returning to anchor the Rock offense will be junior midfielder Mallory Neubert, the team's third-leading scorer. The Rock will also look for junior forward Courtney Hoover and freshmen Juliana Howell and Alison Hindley to provide scoring depth.

"We don't have a true 20-goal scorer on this team, so it is important that our three forwards and two attacking midfielders step up and put the ball in the net," Herlihy said. "We would love to have a few players with six or seven goals."

"Ashley Paganie, who we have playing out of position right now, gives us that scoring mentality from the back which is something that I think every team would love to have," Herlihy said.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools