Simmons Soccer is gearing up for the start of the 2010 fall season. Led by 2009 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Erica Mastrogiacomo, in her fifth year at the helm of the program, the Sharks expect another successful year after an 8-2-3 GNAC record and the 2009 GNAC Championship title. Simmons is hungry for another GNAC tournament win in 2010.

"The 2010 season will be very competitive for the Sharks," said Coach Mastrogiacomo. "We have set challenging goals as individuals and as a team. I am confident in my leaders to guide this team toward success."

The team graduated five seniors and will return 13 players from the 2009 roster. In addition, the Sharks welcome 10 new faces to the field. The new players will bring a wealth of athleticism, technical skill and versatility to the program. Coach Mastrogiacomo will expect the young players "to arrive mentally and physically prepared to challenge themselves and to fight their way into the starting line-up."

Coach Mastrogiacomo will look to her junior and senior classes to continue the traditions of Simmons Soccer and to lead by example. The team elected seniors Katie Foley (Rochester, N.H.) and Lindsey Butler (South Weymouth, Mass.) along with junior Ashley Wheeler (Nashua, N.H.) to serve as the team captains for the 2010 season. Along with a large senior class, the three captains will provide excellent team leadership.

The Sharks return starters Foley and Brittany Staszowski (Lenox, Mass.) to the defense. In the midfield, Butler returns with senior Allie Megna (North Hampton, N.H.) and sophomores Justine Beauchamp (Exeter, N.H.) and Ally Ayotte (Litchfield, N.H.). Attacking for the Sharks will be Anna Stella (Sharon, Mass.) and Brooke MacKenzie (Mansfield, Mass.), who combined for 16 goals in 2009. Senior Kate Barnard (N.H.), juniors Mandy Walke (Danvers, Mass.), Erin Mannion (Hudson, Mass.) and sophomore Lian Atturio (Hanover, Mass.) will return as an option both in the midfield and in the defensive line. Junior Chelsea Hersey (Newburyport, Mass.) will add speed and power to our attack. Sophomore Jen Prescott (Cambridge, Vt.) will also join the Sharks as a transfer. In the goal, the Sharks will turn to Wheeler and sophomore Ashley Donaghey (Framingham, Mass.) to anchor our team's defense.

The Sharks' roster will be strengthened with the addition of talented new players. The class of 2014 includes Carolyn Berndt (Trumbull, Conn.), an experienced defender that captained her club team, Yankee United Charge. Berndt will join forces with defender Meredith Riker (Cape Elizabeth, Maine), a Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player selection for Cape Elizabeth High School her freshman and senior years respectively. Kristyn Heuslein (Manchester, N.H.) will also add depth to the powerful defensive line. On the attack, Amanda Brown (Raynham, Mass.) will pair up with Nashua South High School's 2009 leading goal scorer, Kate Durette (Nashua, N.H.). Mastrogiacomo will also look to Jennie Holloway (Hardwick, Vt.) and Kathleen Sullivan (Lincoln, R.I.) to compete for playing time in any position.

"Our new players will add depth to an already talented group of returners, and hopefully create an atmosphere of healthy competition throughout the season," said Coach Mastrogiacomo. "My staff and I have high expectations and are eager to see the team in action."

Simmons will open their season on Saturday, September 4 at 1:00pm when they travel across the river to take on the Engineers of MIT in Cambridge, Mass. The Sharks' home and conference opener will be held on Wednesday, September 15 at 8:00pm against Suffolk University.