Endicott Prepared to Defend CCC Title

August 21, 2006

One of the most successful programs at Endicott College continued its winning ways in 2005. Posting a record of 15-4-1, the Endicott women's soccer team captured its third straight Commonwealth Coast Conference title - fifth overall - and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third consecutive year.

First-year coach Jodi Kenyon created a balanced team that posted impressive offensive numbers and played stingy defense. The Gulls scored 69 goals (3.47 goals per game average) this season while allowing just 13 and recording 11 shutouts in 20 contests, ranking first in the conference in each of the categories.

Endicott players represented the true meaning of the word student-athlete. The senior class helped build the foundation for Endicott soccer, both on and off the field. Jillian Zagura `06(Hudson, MA/Hudson), Katie Cederberg '06 (Grafton, MA/Grafton), Beth Walker '06 (Manchester, NH/Manchester Central), and Allison Lyons'06 (Brooklyn, CT/Killingly) combined for an overall GPA of 3.83 and a four-year record of 63-20-3. The senior class paved the way academically for a team that compiled an overall GPA of 3.30.

The class of 2006 reached the CCC finals every season and won three straight titles. They leave the college with an impressive 38-7-3 home record. They ushered in the new Endicott Stadium in 2003 and helped establish a winning tradition, owning a three-year record of 27-4-3 at the Stadium.

Striker Paula McGinn `08 (Lynn, MA/Lynn Classical) teamed up with striker Caitlin D'Amario '07 (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) to create the most explosive one-two punch in the conference. Both players were showered with accolades, becoming CCC All-Stars, NEWISA All-Stars and NSCAA/Adidas All-New England selections. Moreover, McGinn was the Commonwealth Coast Conference Player of the Year one year after earning CCC Rookie of the Year honors.

McGinn was nearly unstoppable in her campaign. She compiled a conference-high 21 goals and 47 points in 19 games and D'Amario was not far behind, netting 12 goals and five assists for 29 points in 19 contests.

Zagura was a factor at both ends of the field. She was the quarterback of the high-flying Gulls' attack, netting 10 goals and dishing out six assists (26 points). Zagura was a CCC honorable mention selection and was named to the NEWISA second team.

Cederberg and sweeper Staci Wiencko '07 (Pembroke, MA/Notre Dame Academy), who was a CCC and NEWISA all-star, anchored the stifling defense. Wiencko also tallied three goals for nine points in 2005, while Cederberg finished her career with two goals and seven assists. Cederberg was named the Endicott Senior Scholar Athlete for her efforts in the classroom and on the field. An Education major, Cederberg compiled a 3.99 GPA and started every game but one in her four-year career.

Junior stopper Meghan Sniegoski '07 (Boxboro, MA/Acton-Boxboro) and Lyons teamed up with Cederberg and Wiencko to form a stingy defense that stood tall in front of goaltender Tina Loguidice '07 (Hyde Park, NY/F.D. Roosevelt). Together they allowed just seven goals in the CCC regular season (13 overall) and recorded 11 shutouts.

In addition to Wiencko, D'Amario and McGinn, key returnees for the 2006 season include midfielder Kim Shields '07 (Pomfret, CT/Woodstock Academy) and Loguidice. Loguidice played in every game this season and was a major factor in the Gulls' 11 shutouts, recording 77 saves for the season. Margreta Weber '08 (Bedford, NH/Manchester West) and Erica Hunt '08 (Colchester, VT/Colchester) will also see significant time at midfield. Hunt had four goals and three assists this season and Weber, a CCC Honorable Mention selection, controlled the center of the field while defender Kelly Cosgrove (Sandwich, MA/Sandwich) gained valuable experience last fall and should contend for a starting job on the backline.

Midfielder Kelly Dillon '08 (Franklin, MA/Franklin) and forward Ashley Clark '08 (West Newbury, MA/Pentucket) also return along with midfielder Shannon Pilsbury '09 (Montclair, NJ/Montclair) as Endicott will attempt to win its fourth consecutive CCC title.

The 2006 season will present a new challenge as Kenyon brings in her first recruiting class to begin a new future. Checking into preseason will be a list of 13 incoming freshman, and a Division I transfer. The class brings in a tremendous amount of talent, depth and potential.

Highlighting the incoming freshmen and transfer are three NH products: transfer Sarah Miller '08 (Merrimack, NH/Boston University), Allyson Bellemore `10 (Manchester, NH/Manchester West), and Julie Donovan `10 (Nashua, NH/Bishop Geurtin). Four Massachusetts players Staci DaCruz `10 (Ludlow, MA/Wilbraham and Monson), Kate Forand `10 (Dartmouth, MA/Dartmouth) Nicole Lawlor `10 (Mansfield, MA/ Mansfield) and Lauren Welch `10 (Wayland, MA/Wayland) were added and will be relied upon to bring depth and athleticism. Rounding out the freshman class are Caitlin Flynn `10 (Southold, NY/Mattituck), Melissa Hicks `10 (Enfield, CT/ Enfield), Kendall Hostnick `10 (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan), and Kellie Lajoie `10 (York, ME/York).

Endicott will scrimmage Brandeis and Emerson before opening the regular season at Hartwick College.