Aug. 21, 2010
MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
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After another 10-win season and a second place finish in the MAAC, Siena prepares for the next step...that elusive MAAC Championship. Siena returns all 11 starters and loses just two upperclassmen from last year's squad.
"We have a lot of players returning with a lot of experience," head coach Steve Karbowski said. "We have players that have been starters for one, two or three years and we return the back four that started pretty much every game last year. They're experienced and they've played together so that'll get us started on the right foot."
So what are the expectations?
"I think it's obvious - a MAAC Championship," Karbowski said.
With every starter returning, 15 upperclassmen, a solid defense and a potent attack; Siena is anticipating a big year.
Forwards
Junior Ashleigh Barone and sophomore Caitlin Cahalan return as Siena's leading scorers from last season. They each scored nine goals and had four assists and ranked second and third in the MAAC for points/game and goals/game respectively.
"To have two players that can put up 10 or 15 goals is great," Karbowski said. "Last year we saw how well they worked together and that was just their first year playing together. It's hard to mark two strikers out of the game."
Freshman Brittany Pfaff is an athletic, attacking style player. She could make an immediate impact up front.
Senior Deonna Gould's experience and unique skillset will have her competing for playing time. She appeared in three games last season.
Freshman Taylor D'Alfonso has the speed and athleticism to be a top forward in the MAAC. She scored 78 career goals in four years at Cicero-North Syracuse.
Midfielders
When talking about Siena's success, Coach Karbowski often starts with his center midfielders Cara Riley and Tabitha Tice. Their leadership (combined to play 103 career games) adds to their technical skill, field awareness and defensive responsibility. Riley led the team and ranked fifth in the league with seven assists last year. Tice started 12 games last season, missing most of the non-conference schedule with an injury. She rebounded with four assists in her last nine games. Both players were named MAAC Second Team at the league's end of year awards banquet.
Sophomore Nicole Daly played in 16 games as a freshman last year. She helped fill the void during Tice's absence and provided depth in the center midfield. With the departure of Marissa Shibley to graduation, Daly's role should grow.
Lindsay Tegas was a consistent scoring threat on the width last season. She has scored four goals and had three assists in each of her first two seasons at Siena. Last year she scored the game winners against Quinnipiac in overtime and against Saint Peter's.
Susan Schneck is a fit outside midfielder with three years experience. She started last season quickly, notching two goals and two assists in the first five games.
Kaitlyn Sharo appeared in 13 games last season and tallied four points on one goal and two assists. She showed moments of brilliance and will compete for playing time at outside mid.
Freshmen Gabby Racines, Coreena D'Alfonso, and Kayla Mancusi will all compete for playing time in the midfield. Racines is a technically efficient player who can hold possession. Her versatility will allow her to play as an outside midfielder or forward. D'Alfonso is a center midfielder with good awareness and toughness. She scored 18 goals and had 22 assists in her high school career at Cicero-North Syracuse. Mancusi has the speed and fitness to play outside or center midfield. She played four years of varsity soccer at Hendrick Hudson High School.
Jill Roth had a breakout season last year at outside mid and appeared in all 17 games. Her overtime game winning goal beat Providence on the road.
"I'm confident in the talent and leadership of our midfielders," Karbowski said. "Our outside midfield play needs to be more consistent, but I think with who we have returning and the freshmen coming in, players will step up."
Defense
If defense wins championships consider Siena a favorite in the MAAC. The back line returns all four starters (Maren Serafine, Shannon Clancy, Samantha Butzke and Jenna Placke) from last season. That ensemble played every game and started 16 of the 17 matches together.
Siena had the top defense in the league last season, allowing less than a goal/game (0.94). By comparison, the second best defense in the league, Loyola, gave up 1.22 goals/game. That success is a team accomplishment, but the anchor of that is the back line.
Serafine's consistent play and the establishment of Clancy give Siena two strong center backs. They can both read the game and win the ball back. Serafine has a calming influence on the defense and communicates well. Clancy is fierce in tackles and improved her distribution throughout her sophomore season.
Butzke goes unnoticed sometimes, but so does her counterpart. Her quickness and speed give little breathing room to opponents on the outside.
"Sam is the top defender on the team both 1 v 1 and off the ball," Karbowski said.
Placke has started every game at outside back the past two seasons and logged over 3,200 minutes in her career. She's a consistent defender who takes care of her position.
Sophomore Lisa Valenziano had a solid rookie year, giving quality minutes in every opportunity. She played in 13 games and spent time at center back, outside back and defensive midfield.
Jessica Kuehne made her return to the pitch last season after sitting out 2008 with an injury. She played in three games and debuted in Siena's 2-1 win at UAlbany. Sara Mikula is a speedy player that can play outside back or outside midfield. She played three years at Shenendehowa High School and with veteran leadership at her position, can settle into the demands of the college game.
Goalkeepers
Siena has two quality goalkeepers returning in junior Laura Ettinger and senior Liz Barna. Ettinger started 14 games in goal last season and has a 0.84 career GAA and .841 save percentage. Barna shined in her four appearances last season. She allowed just two goals and made 12 saves, earning a 3-0 record.
"I think we'll be really strong in goal with Laura returning and Liz, who had a great spring, competing for playing time," Karbowski said. "We think that will be a good tandem in goal."
New to the mix is freshman keeper Erin Kelly. A local product, she played two years at Guilderland High School and earned Suburban Council Honorable Mention as a senior. She has a tall frame and good range.
Schedule
Siena will play an 18-game regular season schedule, beginning with six of its first seven games on the road.
"Non-conference games are important for preparation," Karbowski said. "Our non-conference schedule is very good, probably the toughest it's ever been so we can work out the kinks, gain some confidence, and figure out the best lineup."
The Saints open at UConn (8/22) and Stony Brook (8/27) before playing their home opener against Providence (9/3). Siena defeated Providence in overtime on the road last season with Roth scoring the golden goal.
Siena hits the dusty trail for four straight games at Quinnipiac (9/10), New Hampshire (9/12), Vermont (9/15) and Holy Cross (9/24). The Saints beat all four of those opponents last season (two in overtime), averaging 3.25 goals/game.
"I think those tough games, having some adversity on the road, will help prepare us for late season close games," Karbowski said.
Siena hosts St. Bonaventure (9/26) before opening MAAC play in a road weekend at Manhattan (10/1) and Saint Peter's (10/3). Defending MAAC Champion Loyola (10/8) and Rider (10/10) come to Loudonville then Siena travels to western New York for Canisius (10/15) and Niagara (10/17).
A late non-conference finale brings Harvard to Loudonville on October 19. The Saints finish the regular season with a Saturday night game at Marist (10/23) and home games against Fairfield (10/29) and Iona (10/31).
The MAAC Championships are scheduled for November 5-7 in Baltimore, Md.
