SEASON PREVIEW For the Saint Joseph’s women’s soccer team, the 2015 season brings a lot of optimism as the Hawks take the field for the first time this Friday at home versus Buffalo at 7 p.m. Looking to return to the Atlantic 10 postseason for the third time in four years, Saint Joseph’s returns six starters and 19 letterwinners overall from last year’s team that set the program record for wins (11) and finished sixth in the A-10. Backed by two-time All-Conference standout Emily Gingrich, the Hawks will look to her to pace the offense. Matching the single-season mark for goals (14) in 2014, Gingrich was named to the All-Region Team as a sophomore and was selected to the A-10 Preseason All-Conference Team this year. Returning starters Shannon Mulvey and Shannon Westhead will help Saint Joseph’s push for a more fluid attack this season, while veterans Lauren Dimes, Erica Graziosi, Ramsey McMenamin, Nicole Moonan, Paige Norris, Maddi Todd, Ashley Volm, Lindsay Walder and Shannon Walsh will likely challenge for playing time. A highly lauded group of newcomers will help diversify the Hawks’ offense this season as rookies Michaela Finneyfrock, Shannon Gibat, Aimee Manley, Dakota Mills, Hannah Racis, Taylor Ryan and Jessica Volm already have head coach Jess Mannella’s trust. “We expect them to come in and make an impact right away. Off the field, they are already close with the team so we believe this will be an easy transition.” The backbone of Saint Joseph’s success last year was the team’s defense. Led by goalkeeper Allison Ebling, the Hawks posted eight shutouts and finished the year with a 1.14 goals against average.
Setting the team’s single-season mark for wins (11), Ebling will give the Hawks a strong presence in the backfield, while rookie Grace Bendon will compete for time. Returning starters Meghan DiPippa and Alysa Murphy will be called upon to take on slightly bigger roles this year. Earning valuable minutes last season veterans Morgan Michon, Lindsay Horst, Janine Mueller and Alexa Austin gives SJU depth on defense, with freshman Paige Bergman and transfer Ali Whitney adding talent to this year’s roster. Picked to finish seventh in the A-10 according to the conference's preseason poll, Saint Joseph's is poised for another postseason appearance. With a challenging nonconference slate that starts Friday, the Hawks are ready to prove they are one of the top teams in the A-10 and in the region in 2015.
Sophomore Emily Gingrich ranked among the conference leaders in goals and points en route to winning A-10 Rookie of the Year last season. 2015 SAINT JOSEPH’S WOMEN’S SOCCER MEDIA GuIDE 2