STANDISH, Maine – Women's Soccer Head Coach Jenelle Harris has announced the Monks' 2020 recruiting class.
Coach Harris, who is about to enter her fourth season as the Monks' clipboard carrier, welcomes a freshman class totaling eight talented players, a group which will be asked to contribute immediately and help ease the loss of the 2016 graduating class.
Last fall, Saint Joseph's posted a 9-10 overall record with a 6-5 mark in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play en route to earning the #7 seed in the GNAC Tournament. The Monks faced second-seeded Johnson & Wales University in quarterfinal action on October 31st and suffered a season-ending 3-2 setback in overtime.
"I am very excited about this incoming class," adds Coach Harris. "They are a talented group that will bring energy and excitement. Along with our returners, this group will contribute to our program's philosophy of accountability, competitive fire, and commitment on and off the field and will assist with our continued success."
St. Joe's has advanced to the GNAC Tournament in eight of the last nine seasons, but has not posted a victory in postseason play since the Monks defeated Norwich University, 3-2, in a GNAC quarterfinal on November 1st, 2009. Saint Joseph's returns 13 players – including three of the 2015 side's top four scorers in Haley DaGraca (Saco, Maine), Colleen Sheehan (Medway, Mass.), and Desiree Parent (Westborough, Mass.) – from last year's team and, with the talent and depth provided by the 2020 recruiting class, figures to contend in the conference and end the playoff drought this fall.
|
Abigael Sweeney Major: Exercise Science Position: Defender/Outside Mid Princeton, Mass. / Wachusett Regional High School / Stars of Mass U18 NPL High School: Three-year varsity player for head coach David Gentleman at Wachusett Regional High School...advanced to the playoffs three consecutive years, two years in the semifinals, and finals during her senior year...also received varsity letters for four years of indoor track…currently plays for FC Stars of MA NPL for coach Eric Driscoll…also played for FC Stars of MA Central United U17 for coach Jamie Gilbert, received the Coaches Award her junior year, and played for FC United (MA). Personal: Daughter of Edward and Cherrie Sweeney…has twin brother, Nevin. Harris: "Abby is a technically smart player who reads the play well, battles for the ball, and is a solid defender." |
|
Hannah Butler Major: Political Science Position: Forward/Center Mid Melrose, Mass. / Melrose High School / GPS- Global Premier Soccer Club High School: Four-year starter at Melrose High School and six-year starter on GPS club team…helped lead her team to the state tournament playoffs three out of the four years of high school…claimed Middlesex League Honorable Mention honors her junior year…selected as a Middlesex League All-Star and played in the Division II Middlesex League All-Star Game as a senior…graduated with honors…a National Honor Society member. Personal: Daughter of Brian and Sheila Butler…also has a sister, Haleigh. Harris: "Hannah is a technically sound player with a hunger to score goals, and has great movement off the ball and passing ability." |
|
Jade Jordan Major: Medical Biology/Pre-Dental Position: Back Baldwin, Maine / Sacopee Valley High School / Seacoast United High School: Starting varsity back all four years at Sacopee Valley High School…elected captain junior and senior years…earned All-Conference honors all four years...named All-State and selected as a Top 25 Player to Watch…led her team to a 2014 State Championship and a 2013 Super Y National Championship…played for Velocity Soccer Club for five years and Seacoast United for three years…President of the senior class…National Honors Society member. Personal: Daughter of Jeremy and Jeanne Jordan…has a brother, Jared. Harris: "Jade has a great understanding of the game and reads the play well. She defends well and battles for the ball. She also is technical and composed on the ball once winning it." |
|
Peggy Balboni Major: Exercise Science Position: Defense, Mid, Striker Millis, Mass. / Millis High School / F.C Blazers High School: Four-year member of the Millis varsity team…helped lead the F.C Blazers to championships in 2015 and 2016…2014 Region 1 Quarterfinalist. Personal: Daughter of Bill and Monica Balboni…has one brother, Stephen. Harris: "Peggy is a versatile, tough player with a great work ethic. She defends well, is composed on the ball, has great movement off the ball, and is hungry to score goals." |
|
Hailey Tarr Major: Elementary Education Position: Forward/Midfielder/Defense Eliot, Maine / Marshwood High School / Velocity Soccer Club High School: Four-year starting defender at Marshwood High School…helped the Hawks earn Class A Tournament appearances all four years, including a trip to the Southern Maine Regional Final her senior year…selected to Maine Soccer Coaches All-Star team and played in the Special Olympics SMAA/WMC All-Star game…claimed SMAA Second Team All-Conference Defensive Team honors…named team captain and MVP senior year…was the 2013 SMAA Student/Athlete Summit representative…two-year player for Velocity Soccer Club and 2015 Velocity Coaches' Award recipient…helped Velocity earn a pair of Maine State Cup Championships with Region 1 Tournament appearances in both 2015 and 2016. Personal: Daughter of Jeff and Stephanie Tarr of Eliot, Maine…has two siblings: sister Taylor and brother Ryan. Harris: "Hailey is a versatile player who has a tremendous work ethic, a great understanding of the game, and makes good decisions on and off the ball." |
|
Meredith Picard Major: Psychology Position: Midfield Troy, Maine / Mount View High School / Seacoast United Blackbear High School: Four-year starting center mid at Mount View High School for head coach David Page...named captain junior and senior year...during senior year, helped lead her team to playoffs for the first time in ten years and quarter finals for the first time in 18 years…claimed KVAC Second Team honors in soccer and KVAC All-Academic awards in both soccer and track...National Honors Society Member…participated in the Maine Dirigo Girl's State program…claimed the KVAC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award, Coaches Award, and Mustang Award during her high school career…Seacoast United captain...also earned three letters in basketball and four letters in track and field. Personal: Daughter of Sharon and Dennis Picard…has three sisters Caitlin, Amelia, and Phoebe. Harris: "Meri is a hard-working player with a great attitude and coachability. She reads the play well and makes good decisions with the ball." |
|
Cori Balam Major: English Position: Goalkeeper Lyndeborough, N.H. / Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School / Milford FC High School: Three-year starting goalkeeper for WLC Girl's Varsity soccer team…National Honor Society member, New Hampshire Scholar member, and a New Hampshire Scholar Athlete. Personal: Daughter of Bill and Lisa Balam…has a younger sister, Lexi. Harris: "Cori has impressive stats, a positive attitude, and a tremendous work ethic." |
|
Olivia A. Alesio Major: Medical Biology Position: Outside or center back Rotterdam, New York / Mohonasen High School / Blackwatch Premiere U18 High School: Played soccer for 13 years, moved up to junior varsity in eighth grade…selected as a junior varsity captain…was a two-year starter on varsity school team…helped Mohonasen make program history by advancing to the state championship her senior year…also ranked in the New York state polls…received academic athletic awards for three consecutive years…earned Class A Senior All-Star honors…also played Rotterdam Travel Premiere U10-U16. Personal: Daughter of Chris and Elizabeth (Betsy) Alesio…sister of Logan Alesio - who currently attends Westfield State - and Christopher. Harris: "Olivia is a hard-working defender with a positive attitude, and can read the play well." |
#GOMONKS
Follow Saint Joseph's Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram!
Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.
