STANDISH, ME - The women's soccer program returns fourteen players overall and nine have significant playing experience from last year's 16-2-3 squad. Head Coach Michael Bolanz '00 hopes to build on their record and compete for a Conference Championship in 2008.

This will have to be done without the services of two key players, defender Allison Walton '08 (Meredith, NH) and Second Team All-Region defender Jillian Leger '08 (Westminster, MA), who were lost to graduation.

Top returning players include junior Bri Jordan (Scarborough, ME) and sophomore Mikayla Call (Portland, ME), both members of the GNAC All-Conference 1st Team, as well as junior Lauren Hagerman (Scarborough, ME). Call had a team-high 36 point performance last season while Jordan was close behind with 19 points.

Coach Bolanz will look to two first-year players, Shannon Fitzgerald '12 (Amesbury, MA) and Stephanie Masters '12 (South Portland, ME), to make an immediate impact into the program. Masters, a local girl from South Portland, comes to Saint Joseph's with a strong High School and club soccer resume, playing for South Portland High School and Odyssey Sport out of Portland, ME.

Senior Katie Jordan (Sandwich, MA) will be expected to work the middle of the field, starting the attack. The defense will be anchored by sophomores Liz Theberge (Danvers, MA) and Liz McCarthy (Portsmouth, RI).

The women will begin their season on the road with a match against NEWMAC opponent Wheaton College on August 31st and will play host to Lasell College on September 13th in the team's home and conference opener.