Women's Soccer Looks to Continue Success
The Alfred State women's soccer team has won at least nine games in each of the four seasons the program has competed in Division III of the NCAA. A solid nucleus of returners and a talented group of newcomers has the team ready to continue the success.
Senior goalkeeper Allison Danielak (Brockport) has appeared in 47 games (3,842 minutes) during her first three years. The Association of Division III Independents Goalkeeper of the Year and a USCAA 1st team All-American made 87 saves and a 1.51 goals against average last season. She finished 8-8 and has recorded 20 career victories. The defensive unit as a whole allowd just 23 goals last year and recorded seven shutouts.
Brooke Geibel (Arkport), Jocelyn Brittingham (Hornell), Chloe Cox (Tucson, AZ), and Dannielle O'Buckley (Jamaica/Ansbach) all return and will be counted on to be leaders. Geibel led the team last year with 13 goals and eight assists on her way to being named 2nd team USCAA All-American and 1st team All-Independent. Brittingham was an honorable mention USCAA All-American after recording one goal and five assists from her midfield position. Cox was a 1st team All-Independent selection for the defense and O'Buckley scored five goals and passed out four assists last year.
The trio of Melissa Mineti (Livonia), Kylie Newman (Waverly), and Michayla Salatel (Geneseo) will also be counted on to contribute to the offense. Mineti scored 11 times last year, Newman scored seven times, and Salatel has 14 career goals. The offense last year averaged 4.06 goals per game and scored more than five goals in seven games.
Coach Anne Holmok has high hopes for newcomers Brooke Scianna (Poughkeepsie/Spackenkill), Aly VanScoter (Arkport), and transfer Sarah Williams (Caledonia Mumford).
The blue & gold open up their 2017 campaign this weekend with a pair of games. They battle SUNY Delhi on Friday (9/1) at 5 p.m. before heading to SUNY Cobleskill on Sunday (9/3) at 3:30 p.m. The 2017 schedule features 15 games (seven home and eight away) and concludes with the Pioneers looking to claim the ACAA title the first weekend in November. The ACAA Championships will be held at Valley Forge in conjunction with the men's tournament.