Shippensburg had a crate full of expectations entering the 2009 season but the year ended in disappointment with a 6-9-3 overall record. Seven seniors graduated from that squad, taking with them a total of 499 career games of experience. The group included
Gayle Kuntzmann, the second-leading scorer in SU history, and
Beth Long, SU’s all-time leader in saves and shutouts.
Fifth-year head coach
Rob Fulton faces a similar situation to the one he assumed in his debut season of 2006, when he inherited a roster that had lost nine seniors to graduation (the '06 departures included every starting forward and the starting goalkeeper). Fulton’s debut season saw the Lady Raiders finish 9-8-2 and secure SU’s second postseason appearance in program history.
Similar goals are being sought in 2010. To avoid a finish like that of last season, the team is looking to finish out victories and avoid a string of incredibly bad luck that has beset them in recent seasons.
Six of Shippensburg’s nine losses in 2009 were by one goal and on three occasions the game-deciding goal was scored against the Lady Raiders with less than 90 seconds to play. In 2008, seven of Shippensburg's eight losses were by just one goal and four of those were decided by goals in the final five minutes or in overtime.
Preseason camp will feature stiff competition, as 19 returning players will be vying for spots along with 13 newcomers.
FORWARD
The graduation of three-time All-PSAC forward
Gayle Kuntzmann will be a significant factor, as the Hatboro native contributed 36 percent of the team’s goal scoring over the past four seasons. However, several candidates return with the opportunity to fill the void.
Three of those returning veterans are entering their final season.
Amanda Greenawalt, a two-time All-PSAC Eastern Division Second Team selection, has 17 goals and nine assists to her credit along with four game-winners.
Alison Dowdrick is equally experienced, having made 31 starts in three years and totaling 12 goals with five assists.
Laura Brown, a native of Suffolk in England who joined the club as a graduate student last season, netted two goals and an assist in 2009.
The player with the biggest breakthrough last season was
Katie Leverentz, a returning sophomore who scored four goals in 12 games for the Lady Raiders. Junior
Brittany Hibshman will be looking to take a step forward in 2010 after appearing in 34 games over the last two seasons. Freshman
Ashley Vellucci will also vie for immediate playing time while fellow newcomer
Kate Zech will be taking a medical redshirt.
MIDFIELD
The Lady Raiders will have a strong group of returning midfielders in 2010, leaving the middle of the field as arguably the greatest area of strength for Shippensburg this season.
Junior
Cassie Armold is the only returning player who has started all 38 of Shippensburg’s games over the last two years. Her expert reads and precise field vision make her a mainstay as a defensive midfielder.
Seniors
Lisa Findley and
Hannah Sanders possess 113 combined games of experience between them and are valuable members in the midfield. Findley has doubled as a forward in her career while making 48 starts in three seasons, totaling five goals and five assists. Sanders has made 18 starts and fills a defensive role in the midfield.
Junior
Emily Andrew continued to make strides last season and had a big highlight by scoring the game-winning goal in a huge regional victory over No. 11 California (Pa.). She has made 19 starts while appearing in every game over the last two seasons.
Sophomore
Jennifer Bon will be joined by several freshmen looking to make an immediate impact, including
Rachel Hess,
Nicole Good,
Brittany Radcliff,
Meghan Mahon,
Brittany Reber and
Samantha Erickson.
DEFENSE
The backline lost three valuable veterans to graduation:
Brittany Oncay,
Emily Burger and
Katelyn O'Brien. However, several candidates are ready to fill the void.
Senior
Megan Knoster has become a mainstay along the backline after switching from her previous midfield position entering 2009. Her aggressive, hard-nosed play translated perfectly to the backfield and will be on display once again this year.
Redshirt senior
Ashleigh Dunlap had an impact 2009 campaign by starting all 18 of the team’s games. The transfer from LaSalle and Delaware State is ready for another full season of work along the backlines.
Senior
Katie Klinger joined the squad last season and provided depth. Junior
Samantha Stuart has made solid impressions and will likely see additional playing time. Classmate
Erin Habay will unfortunately miss the season due to injury. Sophomore
Molly Sanders is also expected to see an increase in playing time while
Aimee Mathin is scheduled to make her debut after not playing in 2009.
Several talented freshmen will be looking to make an immediate impact in 2010, including
Kylee Bricker,
Brittany Lapp,
Alexandra Capecci and
Lauren Merk.
Lori Matthews will likely have to take a redshirt season due to injury.
GOALKEEPER
Departed graduate goalkeeper
Beth Long was one of the best in the history of the PSAC and her impact will not be easily replaced. However, one veteran and two freshmen will be vying for the right to start this season.
Redshirt junior
Megan Delio appeared in two games as a backup in 2009 and is the most veteran of the contenders.
Samantha Wood took a redshirt last season and returns with freshman status. True freshman
Shelbie Rackley, a standout goalkeeper at Cumberland Valley, will also be a strong candidate for playing time.
