MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University women's soccer team will open its 10th season of play when the Mountaineers host Goldey-Beacom this Friday, Sept. 2 starting at 3 p.m.

“I really like our kids,” said Tim Dempsey who has served as the head coach since the program's first season in 2002. “For the most part, it was a good preseason camp and the players worked hard. We have more depth and our overall skill level is better than last season, but we're going to need some of our freshmen to step up quickly.”

Mansfield has a 23-player roster going into Friday's opener with Goldey-Beacom with 10 of those players returning from last year's team. That leaves 13 newcomers, including 12 freshmen, making this team one of the youngest in Dempsey's tenure.

“We made an investment into the future with this year's recruiting class,” Dempsey explained. “I'm confident it's a solid investment, but like any investment it's going to take some time before it matures.”

Maturity will be a big factor for the Mountaineers who play just three non-conference games and face a grueling 14-game schedule against PSAC opponents.

Mansfield does return its top two scoring leaders in junior Erica Moyer (Mifflinburg/Mifflinburg) and senior Kariann Breed (Manchester, NY/Finger Lakes CC). Moyer, a speedy and tenacious forward, has accounted for seven goals in her first two seasons and will be counted on to give the Mountaineers their offensive spark.

Dempsey was looking to get immediate help up front from talented freshman Alexis Getty (Wellsboro/Wellsboro), but the local standout will not be available for the opener. Instead, another talented freshman, Renae Bowman (Morgantown/Twin Valley), is projected to start up front with Moyer.
Transfer Samantha Tantum (Langhorne/Neshaminy) and freshman Jessica Allen (Biglerville/Biglerville) will provide backup.

Mansfield will have experience at midfield with Breed moving back to an outside midfield spot from forward. Sophomore Jessica Kerwin (Cheltenham/Moorestown) will join her on the outside with senior Neele Hoerner (Koeln, Germany/BBS Buxtehude) and sophomore Leah Fuerst (Avoca,NY/Bath-Haverling) controlling things inside. All four were starters last year.

Other veterans pushing for a starting spot at mid are sophomores Lauren Boess (Warrington/Central Bucks South), Colleen Dempsey (Mansfield/Mansfield), and Danielle Murray (Sand Lake,NY/Averill Park) along with freshman Aarika Seymour (Elmira,NY/Southside).

The Mountaineers will be their most inexperienced on defensive with three freshmen projected to break into the starting lineup. Junior Amanda Quinn (Prospect Park/Interboro) will start at one of the back position after appearing in all 16 games as a sophomore last season. Freshmen Brooke Etter (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) and Sara Weaver (Reading/Exeter) have distinguished themselves during preseason camp and have earned an inside trek on a starting spot with the final position to be decided among freshmen Erin Bishop (Reedsville/Indian Valley) and Kaitlin Gross (Carlisle/Big Spring).

Katelyn Morehart (Williamsport/Williamsport), Kayla Galliher (Williamsport/Williamsport), and Stephanie Hetrick (Sinking Springs/Wilson) will all see action on defense.

Junior Alexis Wilhelm (Annville/Northern Lebanon) returns at goalie where she appeared in 11 games including six starts last season recording 50 saves. Freshman Alana Krieger (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) has had a solid camp and will also see time in goal.

In addition to Friday's opener with Goldey-Beacom, Mansfield will also host Bloomfield College on Sunday starting at 1:30 p.m.