RELEASE DATE: 9/03/10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Women's soccer opens 2010 campaign at Goldey-Beacom Saturday

2010 SOCCER VIDEO PREVIEW

MANSFIELD -- The Mansfield University women's soccer team will open the 2010 season when the Mountaineers travel to Goldey-Beacom in Wilmington, DE this Saturday.

Head coach Tim Dempsey is entering his ninth season at the helm since starting the Mountaineer soccer program in 2002 with a solid corps of veterans along with a promising group of newcomers.

"We've had a very productive preseason," said Dempsey. "I think we have very good team chemistry and a willingness to work hard and those are two things that will help us improve as a team as we progress through the season."

The Mountaineers have historically produced a tough, tenacious defense and Dempsey expects that tradition to continue with seniors Chelsea Bendert and Kelsey Gelina joined by newcomers Colleen Dempsey, Leah Fuerst and Jess Kerwin.

Gelina is a four-year starter at defender while Bendert has started at some point in each of her first three seasons. Fuerst is a red-shirt freshman transfer from Niagara who brings a physical presence to the defense while Kerwin, who could also see time at midfield, is a skilled player with speed. Dempsey had a solid preseason camp and could move into a starting spot depending on the formation.

Both goalies from last year's team, senior Sam Deliere and sophomore Alexis Wilhelm, return to the Mountie program. Wilhelm is expected to see starting action as Deliere continues to heal from an injury. As a freshman last season, Wilhelm started 11 times with 93 saves and an .803 saves percentage.

Solid and experienced is perhaps the best description for the mid-line led by senior four-year starter Jackie Karlovich. Joining Karlovich at midfield is junior Kaitlin McBride who started all 16 games last season along with hard-working fellow junior Katelyn Smoker. Newcomer Neele Hoerner is a skilled player from Germany and will also start at mid. Also seeing time at midfield are junior Karli Nester and freshman Danielle Murray.

The Mountaineers will be looking for improved offensive output with speedsters Erika Moyer and Kariann Breed filling the starting slots. Moyer had an impressive freshman year in 2009 starting in 13 games and ranking second on the team in scoring. Breed, a transfer from Finger Lakes Community College where she was a 2nd Team All-American selection last year, is an intensely competitive player with a quick first step.

Sophomores Amanda Quinn and Meriber Wuest will provide depth with Smoker and Nester also expected to see action at forward.

The Mountaineers will jump right into the PSAC schedule when they host East Stroudsburg this coming Wednesday.