STANDISH, ME – Head Coach Michael Bolanz '00 has announced the women's soccer team captains for the 2011 campaign.
The Monks will employ four captains next fall, as two seniors and two juniors will look to lead the Royal Blue on a lengthy GNAC Tournament run in 2011.
Shannon Fitzgerald '12 (Amesbury, MA/Newburyport), the 2009 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, will serve as a team captain for the second consecutive season as a senior next fall. Also a First Team All-GNAC selection as a sophomore, Fitzgerald has started in 37 straight contests for Saint Joseph's.
Coach Bolanz on Fitzgerald: "She got great experience this past season being a junior captain for us; Shannon is a strong vocal leader who younger players will definitely look up to."
Another top defender for the Monks, Katelyn Call '12 (Portland, ME/McAuley), will also be a captain for the Royal Blue in 2011. A tireless worker, Call appeared in just 17 games during her freshman and sophomore campaigns combined but played in all 17 contests this season and was tabbed as a starter in the final 14 games of the year.
"Every team needs a player like Katelyn," adds Coach Bolanz. "In three years, she has worked so hard improve her game and has put so much time and effort into it. She is a real role model for our players."
Upcoming juniors Casey Monaghan (Portland, ME/Portland) and Jennifer Keaney (Scituate/Scituate) have also been selected as captains for next fall.
Monaghan, another ace defender for Saint Joseph's, has played in 36 games with 33 starts in two seasons on the Monks' backline. "Casey plays with a lot of heart and determination and leads by example every time she steps onto the field," says Coach Bolanz.
Keaney, a midfielder, has made 24 starts and appeared in 32 games in two years as a Monk. "Born to lead, Jen has the natural ability to be a great captain," adds Coach Bolanz. "As a junior captain, I think she will gain even more confidence in her vocal leadership to match her leadership skills on the field."
"We have a great group of players on this team that all have leadership qualities. When you have players in your program that might not get to wear the captain's armband during a game, but can still be relied on and willing to be leaders, you are in a good spot with your program," adds Coach Bolanz.
