Fitchburg State Women Hoping They Can Shock The Doubters

FITCHBURG -- There might be a little extra motivation for the Fitchburg State University women's soccer team this season.

Despite boasting a strong core of talented athletes and coming off the heels of a winning season in 2010, the Falcons were picked to finish near the bottom of the conference in the recently announced MASCAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Polls have no bearing on the regular season, of course, but the snub might add fuel to the fire as Fitchburg State looks to make a statement on the pitch in 2011.

"This year, I'm very optimistic about who we have on the roster, the freshman we have coming in, and the upperclassmen leadership has been excellent," seventh-year Fitchburg State head coach Bruce Walberg said during Saturday's Media Day event at Elliot Field. "I'd like to go through the season and improve upon what we did last year."

Fitchburg State went 9-8-1 (3-4 MASCAC) last season, but was predicted to finish in seventh place in the MASCAC in the recently announced preseason poll. The Falcons received less votes than Framingham State and Salem State despite beating both opponents last year. Only Mass. Maritime, which Fitchburg State also defeated, placed lower.

"Everybody is entitled to his (or) her opinion, and I don't know what criterion they use," Walberg said. "But I think the ranking is just a number. I think somebody said, ... that's the reason they play the games.

"I think, at the end of the season, I hope we prove a lot of people wrong. That's the approach. We play one game at a time, go out and have fun and enjoy what we're doing. And if we do all of that, we should have a successful season."

The Falcons return leading point-scorer Rachel Jamieson. The sophomore forward led the team in points (19) and goals (9) last year. Fitchburg state boasts another returning offensive weapon in senior forward Carissa Kennedy, who was second on the team in points (15) and goals (7).

"Jamieson is currently playing like she's in midseason form," Walberg said. "She's really playing well.

"I think one of the big pieces of the puzzle that's back is Carissa Kennedy. Kennedy was injured last season for virtually a third of the season. Having Carissa back and having Rachel up on top, I think we have some kids who can put the ball in the back of the net."

Other notable returners on offense include Katie Hayward (2 goals, 3 assists), Nicole Stone (3 goals) and Julie Dowson (2 goals).

Goalkeeping looks to be one of the team's strengths, as the Falcons return their two top keepers from a year ago. Leominster native Jillian Kirouac looks to take the lead after a solid freshman season during which she posted a 6-1-1 record and a 0.89 goals-against average. Senior goalie Melanie Berent also saw significant time between the posts last year, amassing a 3-7 record to go along with a 2.0 goals-against average. Freshman goalie Kelsey Ford will also be able to contribute as needed.

"Goalie is a very secure position for us. It's still up in the air, the battle is still going on and I won't name a starter until we go down to Eastern Connecticut next Friday," Walberg said about the Sept. 2 opener. "Kirouac came into the preseason as fit as she's ever been. She had a shutout in our scrimmage. Jill has become a great leader, and Mel has become a great mentor to the younger kids."

The Falcons did suffer some losses to graduation, including Ali Landry (2 goals, 6 assists), Courtney Kimball (3 goals, 2 assists), Melanie Olson and Heather Sharp (goal, 2 assists).

"We lost some great leaders from last year, (Landry) being the (program's) all-time leading assists person," Walberg said. "But I have a young person, Megan Macomber, who's going to step in to take Ali's spot.

"Julie Dowson is probably playing the best soccer that she's played in her four years, so from the outside mids, I think we're going to be fine. Defensively, Mel Olson is a big piece to lose, but I have two freshmen, Devin Donnelly and Taylor Kachinski, that both in time are going to become solid stoppers for us."

Caitlin Celia, Kayla Bridges, Nicole Green, Donnelly, Kachinski and Ford represent a promising freshman class that should help keep Fitchburg State competitive for years to come.

"I think our freshman class is really going to be significant," Walberg said.