2001 Women's Soccer Outlook

Head Coach Michael Smith expects to continue developing his program toward becoming a perennial winner. This year’s team lost three key players to graduation, but returns a seasoned group of athletes ready to avenge last fall’s narrow defeats. A solid and deep cadre of talented freshmen prospects will come to Trinity from some of New England’s top high schools, premier teams, and state Olympic Development Program.

Encouraged by last season’s offensive production, the Bantams are enthusiastic about the 2001 campaign. "The future is bright!" states Smith. "This team has some of the hardest working players I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. If we can maintain our intensity for 90 minutes and capitalize on our chances, the possibilities are endless!"

Six seniors return to the field in 2001, providing Smith with the veteran talent necessary to win the close matches. Two are found on the defensive end where sweeper Anna Sullivan (Bridgewater, Vt.) and goalkeeper Sarah Bradley (Mansfield, Conn.) are two of the best at their positions in the NESCAC. Sullivan is a superior athlete who can also be a factor offensively, while Bradley, a four-year starter in goal, will finish her career as one of the top keepers in College history. She has 386 saves and 9.5 shutouts in her career.

Fellow seniors Tisha Driscoll (Peabody, Mass.), Kerry Hood (Derry, N.H.), and Bridget Dullea (Longmeadow, Mass.) each possess the valuable combination of athletic ability, high skill level, and versatility. All three have played several positions in the midfield and up front during their careers, combining for 18 goals and 15 assists among them, including eight goals and 12 assists last fall.

Three returning backs in the junior class, together with Sullivan and Bradley, give Trinity an outstanding and battle-tested defense. Courtney Stewart (Trumbull, Conn.) started all 14 games last season, while Meg Roscio (Glastonbury, Conn.) returns from an injury-plagued season in 2000 after a promising freshman campaign.

The sophomore class contains an abundance of talent at several positions, particularly at forward where Lindsay Aquilina (Buffalo, N.Y.) emerged as the team’s top scorer and the top freshman scorer in the NESCAC. Finishing with 10 goals and an assist, Aquilina and classmate Courtney Doyle (West Simsbury, Conn.) (four goals and two assists in 12 games) accounted for half of the Bantam goals in 2000. Speedy midfielder Kate Salottolo (Bethel, Conn.) showed the ability to dominate the game as a freshman, totaling two goals and three assists, while Rebecca Sullivan (Bridgewater, Vt.) showed promise with four assists in nine games.

Defensively, Christie Harle (Bordentown, N.J.) and Rachel Tracy (North Easton, Mass.) were both solid contributors a year ago, starting seven games between them when injuries hit the backfield. Harle and Tracy, and the veteran defenders can all play other positions, giving Trinity a number of lineup options.