Women's Soccer: Season Preview

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester's women's soccer program has showcased long-term success by reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament for the past thirteen straight seasons. The Golden Rams did not disappoint in their 2015 campaign after achieving a 14-4-1 (13-3) record and another NCAA Tournament appearance. However, their season was cut short due to a heartbreaking loss in overtime against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference foe East Stroudsburg in the first round. West Chester enters as the preseason favorite to win the PSAC in 2016, according to the preseason coaches' poll. Head coach Betty Ann Kempf Townsley believes in a one-game-at-a-time mentality as she enters her 10th season at the helm. Experience will be a key factor heading into the season, considering that the Golden Rams have 11 seniors on the roster. "Each one of them [seniors] is a leader in their own way," Kempf Townsley remarked. "I think the leadership we have developed over the years is not something that happens overnight. I think it is something that they learned from previous leaders as well as bringing their own leadership abilities to the program." FORWARDS

The talented roster returns several key members from a season ago, beginning with senior Kara Parvel (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall). The returning co-captain was a first team All-PSAC selection for her efforts a season ago. Her production on the field led the Golden Rams' attack, finishing with a team best nine goals, six assists, and 24 points. Kempf Townsley expects to see more of a collective effort this season even with the success Parvel displayed a year ago. "It's not about putting all the pressure on Kara [Parvel]. It's every single one of them. It's every single one of the seniors. I think collectively, they can be very successful." A player that could elevate West Chester to another level is junior Marissa Valenti (Manassas, Va./Osbourn Park). Despite a sophomore slump, Valenti could ignite the Golden Rams' attack in 2016. Providing a veteran presence on the squad are Madeline Barretti (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) and Tayler Jamison (Honey Brook, Pa./Twin Valley). Both saw a vast amount of action as juniors. Linzi Wolfe (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) hopes to help the Golden Ram attack with more playing time in her sophomore campaign. A freshman eager to get onto the field and contribute for West Chester is Paige Jones (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley). Adding depth to the forward position is sophomore Lauren Benner (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville). MIDFIELD

Meanwhile, midfielder Scarlett Walsh (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) will look to build off of her breakout performance in 2015, after finishing second on the team in scoring with six goals and 16 points. The senior co-captain earned second team all-league honors as well. "She really has a level of competition that will bring success to our team and bring out a lot of energy from other players," Kempf Townsley stated. Providing additional firepower is senior co-captain Lexi Brown (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) after finding the back of the net five times for the Golden Rams, which was tied for third best on the squad. The fourth and final senior co-captain on the squad is Erica Hansen (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East). Experience will be huge since Hansen appeared in 18 games a season ago. Providing senior leadership at midfield for the Golden Rams is Haley Mangiaruga (North Wales, Pa./North Penn), who returns after recording five goals a season ago. Cynthia Hagerty (Hockessin, Del./Alexis I. du Pont) is aiming to build off of a strong junior season as well, tallying four goals and three assists for 11 points. After appearing in 10 games last year, sophomore Bekah Stevens (Phoenixville, Pa./Great Valley) will look to make a splash in her second season. A pair of juniors bringing experience to West Chester are Gabrielle Termini (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) and Mandy McCarthy (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus). Sophomores strengthening the depth on the roster includes: Shannon Cooley (Frederick, Md./Urbana), Hannah Grandell (West Chester, Pa./Unionville), and Brooke Morgan (West Chester, Pa./Rustin). DEFENSE

Defense was a strong suit for the Golden Rams last season, holding the opposition to 0.53 goals scored per game. West Chester only loses two players on the back line, indicating that the Golden Rams should be strong on the backend once again. Kempf Townsley pointed out that she will be looking at Carly Henry (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) as well as goaltender Alex Srolis (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East) for leadership in the back. Henry returns to her right back position, which she anchored last year. Junior Kaitlyn McNamara (West Nyack, N.Y./Albertus Magnus) returns after making the most of every opportunity that presented itself in 2015. Her efforts landed her third team all-league honors after appearing in 19 games. Another pair of players to keep an eye on are a pair of sophomores in Julia Kirkpatrick (Brick, N.J./Brick Twp) and Nikki Caffey (Holland, Pa./Council Rock South). Julianne Minutillo (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) is back as a junior, after appearing in 16 games. Looking to contribute as well on the field this season is sophomore Carmen Telesco (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks West). Providing veteran leadership on the back end are Katie Huber (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) and Kaitlyn McFadden (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan). GOALKEEPING

Returning for their season season as goalkeeper is three-year starter Alex Srolis (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East). Srolis helped lockdown the opposition in net last season, producing ten shutouts and only surrendering nine goals. The goalkeeper totaled 60 saves on the season for a 0.49 goals-against average and .870 save percentage. "Alex has already surprised me in preseason," Kempf Townsley said. She comes back this season the fittest I've ever seen her. Most prepared mentally I've ever seen her. So, I expect a great season from her. She has been in the goal since she was a freshmen." A pair of upperclassmen will fight for the top reserve role behind Srolis. Madi Mitchell (Wall Twp., N.J./Wall) is a senior who appeared in three games last season. Junior McKenna Mullin (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) is aiming for playing time as well. Strengthening the depth on the roster is freshman Regan Allsop (Orefield,Pa./Parkland). NEWCOMERS

There are several newcomers on the roster this year who will push everyone on the squad to get better. These individuals will help West Chester, while also competing for positions on the field. A pair of freshmen that could earn playing time for the Golden Rams are midfielder Jenny Bail (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and forward/midfielder Madison Baxter (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East). Sophomore forward Nikki Zaso (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) can earn time on the field as well. Joining the squad as a junior midfielder is Lisa Nanov (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley). West Chester's incoming recruiting class also includes: Maddison Miller (Dover, Pa./ Dover), Lauren Pittman (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East), Payton Miller (Dover, Pa./Dover), Julia Rymarczuk (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem), and Claire Jacobs (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg). OVERVIEW

Outside of an experienced roster, coach Kempf Townsley believes cohesiveness as a team is a major factor. The Golden Rams spent six days down in South Carolina for preseason. The Golden Rams developed a lot of cohesiveness and team bonding down there, according to Kempf Townsley. Expect West Chester to utilize that experience and cohesiveness on the field in 2016. SCHEDULE

In terms of the Golden Rams' schedule, they will begin with a PSAC conference matchup with Bloomsburg University to open up the season. Afterward, West Chester continues PSAC play with match-ups with Pitt-Johnstown, Mercyhurst, and Gannon University. A notable game to circle on the schedule is October 11th, when West Chester hosts East Stroudsburg at 1 p.m. Kempf Townsley added, "to me every game is important, because we are picked to finish first. Even if a team has a losing record but they beat us, it made their season. We have to be on our game all the time. Not about one game or any other." The Golden Rams begin their 2016 campaign with a PSAC conference matchup against Bloomsburg University on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 1:30 p.m. inside Rockwell Field.