“Our expectations for this year are to have revenge on teams we particularly hate … and cause complete havoc in the ODAC,” said Eric Lewis, Head Coach for women’s soccer.
Lewis has 20 new faces to sort out on the field, 13 of which are first-years.
Returning players welcomed the new players as only Quakers can.
“We are still getting to know each other,” said last year’s Freshman of The Year, Heather Ruggiero, “but I think we will be a close team.”
Coach Lewis attributes the developing teamwork to “strong leadership from captains Lori Layton, Megan Barolet-Fogarty, and Alissa Van Zee-Phillips.”
Other key players include Becky Craig, a transfered from Louisburg College, and a Junior College All-American sweeper. She fills the void left by Alex Hutton (’03), Guilford’s first team All-ODAC sweeper.
“Becky is doing a great job filling [Hutton’s] spot,” said Ruggiero. “I feel very comfortable playing next to her in the back. She is hard core!” Should fans miss the season’s opening game against Greensboro College in Rocky Mount, NC. (Aug. 30) they might not get to see Kimberly Mullen break Guilford’s school points record which she shares with Amy Evans.
“I think I might actually try to do that,” said Junior Abdul Qawiy on treking to Rocky Mount. “I was away last year and heard some promising things about the team this year.”
The home opener is against Eastern Mennonite (Sept. 20).
Ruggiero’s predictions for the year are in sync with the vibes emanating from the squad:”I foresee a lot of fun. I foresee our team beating Chapel Hill and making [it] to the ODAC