Dominican University New York Athletics

2008 Dominican College Women's Soccer Preview

The 2008 Lady Chargers are looking forward to their season opener against West Chester University on Saturday, August 30, 2008. The Chargers return several key players that will look to pave the way for the young class.

Dominican enters 2008 with a new coaching staff as Lona Ozrek takes the reigns from Phil Fluhr, who retired in May. Also new to the program is assistant coach, Adrian Ruiz. Last season the team finished with an overall record of 8-9-2 and a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) record of 6-4-1. DC lost a tough CACC Quarter-Final game to the fourth seeded Wildcats of Wilmington University in penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 double overtime tie.

The defense will be led by returning senior players Erin Martin and captain Katrina Van Alstyne. Sophomore Jane Dorsey returns after a nice rookie campaign and will be joined by Jessica Ivascu. Freshmen Jenna O'Bryhim, Julia Camp and Tara Troisi will round out the defense for the Lady Chargers.

The midfield sees the return of seniors Angela Correia, who finished second on the team a year ago in goals scored, and Shannon Harding. Sophomore Margaret Porter led the newcomers last season in goals scored and will look to add to that tally this year, along with senior Michelle Cusano and sophomores Heather Augliera, Dawn Crouchelli and Sierra Kader. Incomers Sara Cordaro, Jennifer Joyce, Tara Mancini and Christina Occhipinti will all provide quality minutes this season.

Dominican will have experience in the net as both goal keepers are upperclassmen. Juniors Valentina Sturchio and Rosa Centurion come into the season with under 3.0 goals against averages and above a .600 save percentage and will look to anchor the DC defense.

The Lady Chargers worked hard during the preseason and look forward to a challenging year, with great competition ahead of them.

The aim of Dominican University New York is to promote educational excellence, leadership, and service in an environment characterized by respect for the individual and concern for the community and its needs. Founded by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, the university is an independent institution of higher learning, Catholic in origin and heritage. In the Dominican tradition, it fosters the active, shared pursuit of truth and embodies an ideal of education rooted in the values of reflective understanding and compassionate involvement. Committed to building its programs upon a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, the university maintains a student-centered climate and serves a diverse community of students in undergraduate and graduate programs. The university empowers this community of learners to excel, lead and serve with integrity and to engage responsibly in the pursuit of a more just, ethical and sustainable world. Dominican also sponsors 18 varsity intercollegiate sports that compete at the NCAA Division II level. To learn more about Dominican University New York, please visit www.duny.edu.