Simmons Soccer is poised to start their third year under Head Coach Erica Mastrogiacomo. The 2007 season saw the Sharks finish with a competitive Great Northeast Athletic Conference record of 7-4-2. Only one opponent succeeded in beating Simmons by more than one goal, and four conference games were pushed to a decision in overtime.

The team enters the 2008 season with a strong squad, and Mastrogiacomo hopes to guide her young team to a top three spot going into the GNAC tournament, and a tournament win. "I am looking forward to the upcoming season," said Mastrogiacomo. "With only two seniors on the roster our squad will look young, however, the sophomore and junior class is full of talent and eleven new players will add depth to our program."

Mastrogiacomo credits last year's strong performances to several returners, and looks to them to guide the incoming freshmen as the Sharks approach their season opener at Wentworth on August 30. Allie Megna (Plymouth, MA) broke school and conference records with four assists in the October 6 game against Emerson, and led the team in assists as a forward. Brooke Mackenzie (Mansfield, MA) earned GNAC accolades as 2007 first-team all-conference midfielder. "I'll be looking to Megna and Mackenzie to return more confident after gaining a year of experience at the collegiate level, and to continue to be go-to players in the midfield and up top," said Mastrogiacomo.

Katie Foley (Rochester, NH) anchored the defense in 2007, and will look for support from incoming first-years to balance out the solid Sharks backline. Rachel Elliot (Amherst, NH) was a vocal and consistent anchor in the goal. "This season Rachel will return as a junior tri-captain, and I will look for her to be a very vocal leader for us," said Mastrogiacomo.

Simmons Soccer graduated four senior starters after the 2007 season: Andrea Caldwell (Braintree, MA), Christina Aldrich (Foxboro, MA), Diana Salvatore (South Weymouth, MA) and Sarah Daniel (Rochester, MA). The four were an integral part of one of the most successful classes in the program's history. They appeared in two conference championship games, won a regular season championship, a conference tournament title and were part of the first Simmons team in any sport to earn an NCAA tournament berth in 2004. In addition to their athletic strengths, each of the four student-athletes were named to the GNAC All-Academic team in 2007, named to the Simmons College Dean's List, and were members of the National College Athlete Honor Society.

This year's squad will have some large cleats to fill. Caldwell and Aldrich were both 90-minute players. Aldrich was also two-year captain and highly respected team leader, as well as the rock of the Sharks center midfield. Caldwell was the "fittest player on the team," and a dedicated athlete. Daniel was "a quiet leader who led by example," and was a CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine All-District First Team Selection.

Among the many new faces Soccer will welcome to fill the program in 2008, three stand out before preseason as impact players. Amanda Walke (Danvers, MA), a "speedy and crafty player," Lindsey Butler (South Weymouth, MA), "a skillful central midfielder," and Jess Mills (Duxbury, MA), a "physical and hard-nosed player," according to Mastrogiacomo.

In all, things are looking bright for the fast-approaching start to the 2008 Soccer season. "If the players have done their part in preparing themselves for preseason, my staff and I are ready to take them all the way," said Mastrogiacomo. "This should be an exciting season for the Sharks!"