FSU ladies look to improve on last year's record

Courtesy of Matt Stewart - Sentinel & Enterprise

FITCHBURG -- Heading into year three of the Patti McColl era at Fitchburg State University, the women's soccer is looking to make some big steps forward.

A number of players return and, coupled with an infusion of new talent, the Falcons are looking to compete in the standings again in the MASCAC.

The first two years of McColl's rein saw identical l 3-14-1 records for the team.

Last year's mark was deceptive, as the Falcons made big strides, despite their record staying constant.

Now with her system kicking in, and having the majority of the players on the team as her own recruits, expectations are that McColl's Falcons will start improving in the wins column after a couple of years of rebuilding.

"We were definitely restructuring," McColl said.

"Last year ,our record didn't show the type of team we were. We lost seven games by one goal, five of them were 1-0 losses, and one of them was an own goal. The character we have this year will supersede what we had last year."

Last year, the strength was in team defense, whereas this year McColl feels that the team will be "sound" all across the field.

There also is a level of familiarity with a new system that the team rolled out last season.

"The girls are getting the style of play we instituted last year," McColl said.

"Now they're finally getting the way we play, with small passing, and in no way kick and run.

"They identify what they need as skill, and those skillful players that they have on the team right now. I think that is going to take us to the next level."

With injuries last year, many players got a chance to slide into a starting role.

From last year's team, nine players return, including five who were regular starters.

Sammi Zina returns to the defense, having started all 18 games in each of the past three seasons. Morgan Steele is a senior classmate of Zina's, and will return in net for the Falcons. Steele started 17 games, posting a 79.6 save percentage and a 1.91 goals-against average.

"Our defense is solid," Zina said. "Our goalies are strong and reliable, too, which helps."

Victoria Floeck returns as a forward, having started all of the games last year, posting two goals and one assist on the season. Star lacrosse player Andrea Comeau will help lock down the midfield, and aided last year's defense in allowing an average of just 2.0 goals per game.

"I definitely think we're coming out harder and more intense this preseason," Floeck said. "We're bonding a lot more, which is great, so we'll jell a lot as a team and hopefully win some games."

Ali Sheehan also returns from the midfield, and Nicole Hallett is the sixth returning senior, adding depth to the midfield.

Lunenburg native Whitney Mansfield returns at forward after accumulating 13 starts last season.

"I think we'll be good on offense," Mansfield said. "We have a lot of new strikers coming in, which should help goal-scoring."

Fitchburg State has nine freshmen on the roster, who hope to give the team a boost and compete for minutes right away.

"Our defense will be better," McColl said. "But our incoming class with be strong and balance us all over the field. We're really excited about that. We lacked scoring last year, and this year we should be able to put the ball in the back of the net."

The Falcons opened the season on the road Thursday night against Bay Path. They will hold their home opener on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. against WPI. The schedule also features six conference matchups, many of which resulted in close losses last season.

"Worcester State is generally our rival," McColl said. "The teams we lost to 1-0 is a bitter pill to swallow. Especially Salem State, where we lost in double overtime, and that eliminated us from the MASCAC tournament."

Follow the Falcons on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!