The Morrisville State College women’s soccer team is set to hit the field for the first time in 2013 on Saturday at the SUNY Canton tournament, and with a solid core of returning upperclassmen to the roster, combined with arguably the most talented freshman class the program has had in quite some time, the Mustangs are looking to dish out some surprises this fall.
The expectation is simple, according to seventh-year head coach Chris Perkins, make the conference playoffs. “We certainly have the depth at all positions in regards to number and quality this season,” he said, “which helps to improve competition within the players themselves forcing them to step up their game.”
With 12 returning to the roster this fall, Perkins is relying on several returning players who are expected to contribute significantly to the team’s success. Senior captains Jordan Nadeau (Cobleskill, N.Y.) and Kolleen Brown (Willet, N.Y.) will lead the charge from the midfield and defensive positions, and will look to junior’s Krista Baxter (Downsville, N.Y.) and Courtney Purcell (Fabius, N.Y.) to provide additional support in the midfield as well.
Perkins noted that the freshmen class will improve the team significantly, but pointed out that there are a few young women who have the ability to make an immediate impact.
Newcomers Brianna Gluck (Utica, N.Y.), Angela Marriott (Peekskill, N.Y.) and Bailey Rutan (Cincinnatus, N.Y.), according to Perkins, all have the ability to contribute instantly, and will help to shore up areas where the team need improvement, including goal scoring and goalkeeping.
Perkins is most looking forward to the Wells match on September 7th for a variety of reasons, he said, but mainly because it’s the team’s first conference match and winning that battle would go a long way in helping the Mustangs achieve their goal for 2013. For the past three seasons, the Mustangs have battled to a one goal decision, including an overtime bout last year that found them on the short end of the stick.
“We need to win the games we are supposed to win, and throw in some surprises along the way,” Perkins said. “We’ll be in good shape if we can maintain the hard work the team has put together so far throughout the preseason.”
Morrisville State opens the 2013 campaign at Canton, playing in the Roo Classic against Paul Smith’s College in the opening round, before facing Bay Path College on Sunday.
They face Southern Vermont College for their home opener on the 4th before opening North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) competition on the road at Wells on the 7th.
A full roster and schedule can be found on the college’s athletic website at http://athletics.morrisville.edu.