AIC WOMEN'S SOCCER LOOKS TO IMPROVE IN 2007 

Springfield, Mass - The American International College women's soccer team is looking to improve on a disappointing 2006 season. The Yellow Jackets finished at the bottom of the Northeast-10 in 06' totaling a 1-15-1 record. Second year Coach Matt Johnson and assistant coaches Kevon Isa and Jill Serafino hit the road hard in the off-season bringing in eight freshmen and two college transfers. The Yellow Jackets also get the return of senior Lindsey Wolfe (Westfield, Mass.) who led the team in goals her freshman year and senior Stacey Italiano (Lake Grove, N.Y.) another veteran, team leader. Wolfe and Italiano both red-shirted last season due to academic priorities and are looking to make an immediate impact this season. On top of the two returning seniors AIC brings back their top scorer from last season Joanne Germano (West Springfield, Mass.) who will make the move from her usual spot as a midfielder up to striker.  AIC will be more competitive in 2007, combining the leadership of their veterans with the talent of the incoming freshman class.

Forwards:

Joining Germano and Wolfe on the front-line will be returnee Tyler Rockefeller (Greenlawn, N.Y.) who played in 17 contests last season, freshman Courtney Roberts (Far Rockaway, N.J.) who was a three-sport athlete in high school, competing for the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and freshman Sarah Tomlinson (Blackburn, England) who looks to help AIC find the back of the net more in 2007.

Midfield:

The Yellow Jackets will put an inexperienced group of girls out to the midfield in 2007. Joining Italiano is returning sophomore Morgan Mastronardi (Corunna, Ontario) who notched a goal last season starting in 14 contest, freshman Nikki Gode (Killingworth, Conn.) who was an all-state pick her senior year coming out of Haddam-Killingworth High School, freshman Sarah Boornazian (Farmington, Conn.) who garnered All-Conference honors while competing for the Farmington High Indians last season and freshman Brianna Jones (Caribou, Maine).

Defense:

The defense, much like the midfield, is young. Sophomore Meghan O'Herron (Springfield, Mass) returns from last season. O'Herron started in all 17 games earning one assists from the back-line. Also returning is sophomore Lisa Saltmarsh (Westfield, Mass.) who started 15 games last year. Joining the two returnees are transfers Gina Lord (Springfield, Mass.) who moved over from Holyoke Community College and Colleen Hilliker (Williamsville, N.Y.) who comes from Monroe Community College. Alongside the two transfers are a talented group of freshman which includes Colleen Dorsey (Springfield, Mass.), Cassie Ashwell (Feeding Hills, Mass.), and Ali Proietti (Stockbridge, Mass.).

Goalie:

AIC enters the season with depth at goalie in 07'. Danielle Hodecker (West Springfield, Mass.) returns from last season. Hodecker played 14 games in net in 2006 stopping 114 shots en-route to a 2.93 goals-against average. Joining Hodecker between the pipes is freshman red-shirt Kara Potts (Westfield, Mass.) and freshman Katelyn Olson (Feeding Hills, Mass.).

The women's soccer team will begin their season Friday,  August 24^th when they visit Golden Beacom, and will start conference play September 5th when they host Le Moyne.