ALTOONA, Pa - With seven starters returning from last season’s 13-6-1 squad that advanced to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference semifinals, the Penn State Altoona women’s soccer team is poised for another record-setting campaign in 2008.  With a wealth of experienced players and influx of talented freshmen, head coach Tim Wassell and the Lions have the makeup of a legitimate contender for the programs first-ever league crown.

“We are optimistic about the season and believe that we have improved from last year,” said Wassell, who begins his second season at the helm.  “As always, we hope to be playing our best soccer of the season come playoff time and make a run at the conference championship.  While we have a number of key players returning this season, it will be the freshmen that drive our success.”

The AMCC Preseason Coaches Poll, released in mid-August, slotted the Lions fourth in the 10-team league after a third place regular season finish last year.  The’07 squad won its first-ever conference playoff game, a 3-0 victory over Pitt-Greensburg, and set a number of individual, team, and season records. 

The 13 wins topped the 2002 Lions (10-7-1) for most victories in a single season, and the 6-2-1 mark in AMCC competition easily bested the 2004 squad’s 5-4 conference record.  In a 12-0 triumph over Gallaudet in October, the Lions set a new single game record for goals (12) and assists (12) in a game.  Incredibly, the Lions completed their magical 2007 season without a single senior on the roster.  Last year’s underclassmen represented 72% of the total offensive output, combining for 95 of the team’s 131 points.

This year’s large sophomore class, with a year experience under its belt, is headlined by AMCC all-conference performers Amanda Ebersole (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy), Natalie Sheehan (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop), and Amber Werner (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown West).  Ebersole, a first team selection, is a punishing defender and is joined by team captains Kelly White (West Chester, PA/Villa Maria Academy) and Courtney Campbell (Indianapolis, IN/Hollidaysburg PA) on the back line.  Sheehan collected Honorable Mention distinction after tallying six goals and two assists in only 14 games.  Werner, also an Honorable Mention selection, pitched six shutouts in goal and boasted a 10-5-1 record while making 57 saves.  Also returning is forward Whitney Hough (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop), who scored five goals and registered three assists a season ago.

“We expect our returners to help the freshmen adjust to the college game and bring a strong competitive spirit,” noted Wassell, who will be assisted by Altoona native Pam Snyder.   “Other key contributors like Danielle Ivancich, who will provide strong, dynamic play, and Brittany Viniarski, one of our top recruits last year who was out with an injury, give us great depth at many positions.”

Often described as the ‘lifeblood’ of any program, 12 high-impact freshmen are set to debut as the newest Lions.  Wassell, who says that this year’s squad will have a greater ability to produce goals, is very high on the class’s potential.

“The freshman class is a great mix of players that will help address many of our needs and provide us with unprecedented depth,” he asserted.  “Emily Reimold (Shrewsbury, PA/Susquehannock), Erin Chafardon (McConnellsburg, PA/McConnellsburg), and Helena Tinnyo (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) are all dynamic players that will compose a front line that combines excellent technical ability with blistering pace.  Newcomers such as Meredith Barcia (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan),  Danika Mull (Northumberland, PA/Shikellamy), Liz Watt (Harleysville, PA/Souderton),  Jess Sever (Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley),  Brindy Feese (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy), Danielle Esposito (Lansdale, PA/North Penn), Morgan Domsohn (Thorndale, PA/Coatesville), Kristen Parisi (Lansdale, PA/Methacton), and Lindsay Raspanti (Fairless Hills, PA/Pennsbury) will aid us in other vital areas.”

The 2008 schedule will afford the Lions no favors as the squad plays a number of difficult non-conference contests in addition to the rugged conference slate.  An opening-season tournament at Alfred University in which the Lions face host Alfred and soon-to-be AMCC member D’Youville College along with a difficult road match-up at Washington & Jefferson College will provide some early season tests.  Home non-league dates with Marietta College, which beat the Lions three of the last four years, and Albright College as well as a mid-season trip to Cabrini College should also be challenging.

Penn State Behrend, last year’s AMCC champion, and Frostburg State, this year’s pick to win the league crown, will be formidable foes when the squads meet in October.  The third-annual Youth Soccer Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, against Pitt-Greensburg with the women’s game at 5:00 PM and the men following at 7:00.

“We have increased the difficulty of our schedule significantly and expect that it will help us to prepare for AMCC play,” said Wassell.  “We firmly believe that testing ourselves against solid competition will provide character and experience for future games.  The conference as a whole is growing in ability and we must not overlook anyone.  Our players must be concerned with what we can control, and that is all we are focused on.  If we put in the work and prepare properly, positive results will follow.”

The Lions meet D’Youville College on August 30 in the first round of the Alfred University Tournament.  Altoona opens the home slate September 12 against Albright College at 6:00 PM.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Head coach Tim Wassell and the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team were picked to finish fourth in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday afternoon. 

The 2008 Lions return seven starters from last year's squad that set a program record for wins (13) and advanced to the league semifinals for the first time in school history.

Sophomores Amanda Ebersole (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy) and Natalie Sheehan (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop) were tabbed as "Players to Watch" after bursting onto the AMCC soccer scene a season ago.  Ebersole earned first team all-conference honors as a defender after playing and starting 19 games.  Sheehan was the team's second leading goal scorer (6) and earned AMCC honorable mention accolades.  Wassell, who begins his second year at the helm, was the conference Coach of the Year in 2007.

Frostburg State was selected to win its sixth league title in 2008.  Penn State Behrend, the two-time defending league champion, was picked second while Medaille checked in at third.

Preseason Player of the Year honors were awarded to Penn State Behrend midfielder Nikki Frisbee (Valencia, PA/Mars).  The senior captain was the AMCC Player of the Year in 2007, leading her team to the league championship for the second straight year.  Frisbee was Behrend's best scorer last season, and ranked #4 in goals (12) and points (27) in the AMCC.

This season the conference welcomes Franciscan University of Steubenville to its ranks; the Barons are entering year two of NCAA provisional membership.  The AMCC kicks off conference play on Saturday, September 27, and the championship will be Saturday, November 8, hosted by the number #1 seed.  The winner will receive the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

To view the entire 2008 AMCC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, CLICK HERE. 

Led by the 2007 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championship men's golf team, Penn State Altoona finished second in the final AMCC Presidents Cup Standings with 75 points, the school's best ranking and highest point output since joining the league in 1998.  The Cup is awarded annually to the AMCC member institution with the most successful overall athletic program in conference play.  Penn State Behrend, which boasted five regular season league championship teams, captured its seventh Presidents Cup in eight years by totaling 99.5 points.  Frostburg State checked in at third with 73 points while Lake Erie (68) and Medaille (65) rounded out the top five.  The men's golf team earned the Altoona Lions 10 Presidents Cup points based on its first place finish at the 10-team conference championships.  The women's cross country team, which finished runner-up at the AMCC championships, recorded nine Cup points while men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball tallied eight points apiece for their respective third place regular season finishes.  To view the final 2008 AMCC Presidents Cup Standings and point breakdowns, CLICK HERE.

Five Penn State Altoona women's soccer players and their head coach were honored by the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference on Sunday.  Freshman Amanda Ebersole (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy) was the lone Lion named to the 1st team all-conference unit after a stellar inaugural campaign as a punishing defender.  Four of Ebersole's teammates including fellow freshmen Amber Werner, Natalie Sheehan, Emily Schneider, and junior Allie Schumacher were selected as Honorable Mention performers.  Werner (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown) started 18 of 20 games in goal for Altoona and recorded 57 saves while surrendering just 15 goals.  She was twice named the AMCC Goalkeeper of the Week and pitched six shutouts in 2007.  Sheehan (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop) was second on the team in scoring with six goals and two assists (14 points) despite missing six games due to injury.  Schneider (Martinsburg, PA/Central) who was named the conference Player of the Week on October 1, played all 20 games scoring six goals and tallying one assist (13 points).  Schumacher (Rochester, NY/Penfield), one of only three upperclassmen on the roster, led the Lions in scoring with 18 points (8 goals, 2 assists).  Also an Honorable Mention honoree in 2006, she was named the AMCC Player of the Week twice this season on October 8 and October 29.  First year head coach Tim Wassell was the obvious choice for conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Lions to their best record in program history (13-6-1), best conference finish in program history (6-2-1), and first ever trip to the AMCC semifinals.  For the complete AMCC Women's Soccer All-Conference award winners, CLICK HERE.