Women's Soccer News

PHILADELPHIA - Versatile senior tri-captain Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) was named as the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer MVP at the team's post-season banquet, which was held at Dave and Buster's in Philadelphia Nov. 18.

The Lady Raptors also tabbed junior forward Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) as their Offensive Player of the Year and named sophomore goalkeeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) the team's Defensive Player of the Year.

In addition to the three major honors, Rutgers-Camden first-year coach Tom Greenawalt also recognized the contributions of seniors Boiler, Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling), Sarah Pacella (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) and Kate Machion (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI).

Boiler, who played everywhere from back to midfielder to forward, was honored as the team MVP for her versatility, leadership and dedication, as well as her gutsy performance of playing in all 20 games despite injuries which required post-season surgery. Boiler finished third on the team in scoring with five goals and four assists (tied for the team lead) for 14 points. Two of her goals were game-winning tallies, and her backward heel-flick to set up McDermott's game-winning goal against Wesley College Oct. 20 was the most spectacular assist of the Lady Raptors' season.

Boiler was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week and the school's Raptor of the Week on Sept. 12 after notching three goals and two assists during a four-game a span.

A transfer from Burlington County College, Boiler played in 55 games during her three seasons at Rutgers-Camden, scoring 11 goals and eight assists for 30 points. Four of her goals were game-winning tallies.

McDermott paced the team in scoring with 21 points, tying for the goal-scoring lead with seven and pacing the team with seven assists. She had a team-high four game-winning goals.

A transfer from Division I Fairleigh-Dickinson University, she has played two seasons with the Lady Raptors, producing 20 goals and 13 assists for 53 points in her 39 games. Five of her tallies have been game-winning goals.

Comella was a stalwart in goal during her first season as the Raptors' starting keeper. She played every second of the season in goal, setting an individual program record with 1,807:53 minutes in goal. She posted a 1.00 goals-against average and set single-season goalie records with 12 wins and 10 shutouts. Her 88 saves were the second-highest single-season total.

Comella notched 409:20 consecutive scoreless minutes in goal from Oct. 1-18, setting an individual program record for a goalie.

During her two years with the program, Comella owns a 1.17 goals-against average and a 14-9 record in 23 games. She has played 2235:24 in goal, the fourth-highest total in program history.

Pagaduan, a four-year starter and one of the team's tri-captains this season with Boiler and stellar junior back Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights), was a standout defender throughout most of her Raptor career before playing a variety of positions as a senior. She notched three goals and one assist for seven points, finishing with six goals and six assists (18 points) while setting a program record with 74 career games. Pagaduan's cousin, Pacella, notched one goal - a game-winner against St. Joseph's-Patchogue Oct. 8 - in 20 games as a midfielder during her only season with the Lady Raptors' soccer program.

Machion, who played three years with the Raptors after missing her first season with an ACL injury, played 18 games (17 starts) in the midfield this fall. She had one assist. In 58 career games, she had five goals and eight assists for 18 points.

The Raptors posted a 12-8 mark in 2005 and advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs.

UNION - The Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer season ended with a score that has become all too familiar to the Lady Raptors this season.

For the eighth time this year, Rutgers-Camden was involved in a 1-0 game, but this time it was Kean University that scored the only goal as the third-ranked Cougars eliminated the sixth-seeded Lady Raptors in a New Jersey Athletic Conference First Round playoff game here Oct. 29.

Rutgers-Camden, which went 5-3 over the season in 1-0 games, closes its campaign with a 12-8 record. Kean, which improves to 11-6-1, advances to Tuesday's semifinal game at #2 seed Rowan University, beginning at 7 p.m.

Kean senior midfielder Cara Cornett (Hawthorne, NJ/Hawthorne) scored the lone goal of the game at 58:47, following a pass to the left side of the box by junior forward Heather Anzivino (Belford, NJ/Middletown North). Cornett tucked a shot inside the left post for her second goal of the year and her first game-winning tally. It was the seventh assist by Anzivino.

Kean's victory reversed a 1-0 loss the Cougars suffered at Rutgers-Camden on Oct. 15. Not only did the Raptors play eight 1-0 games this season, they played 11 games overall which were decided by one goal, including eight straight from Oct. 8 through the season-ending game Saturday night.

Although Kean had the opportunity to take an early first-half lead, the Cougars hit a penalty kick wide right and the game remained scoreless until Cornett scored with 31:13 remaining. In the final 90 seconds of regulation, the Lady Raptors managed four shots, but Kean held off the attack to post its win.

Kean outshot Rutgers-Camden, 17-14, and held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks. Cougar senior goalie Jessica Kogel (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) made four saves and Kean added a second-half backsave to register the shutout.

Lady Raptor goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) made six saves as she finished her outstanding sophomore season by playing every minute in goal and posting a 12-8 record and a 1.00 goals-against average, allowing 20 goals in 20 games. Comella set the individual single-season and the career shutout record with 10 shutouts this year. Those 10 shutouts also tied the team single-season mark set in 2003.

The game marked the final Rutgers-Camden contest for senior midfielder Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling), who extended her program career record to 74 games played. It also was the final Raptor appearance for midfielders Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross), Kate Machion (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI) and Sarah Pacella (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood).

MAHWAH - The Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team received a second-half goal from junior midfielder Katie O'Connor (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and went on to defeat Ramapo College, 1-0, here Oct. 26, earning the sixth and final berth in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs.

The Lady Raptors improve to 12-7 overall and 5-4 in the NJAC. Ramapo, which would have had a chance to catch Rutgers-Camden with a win Wednesday and at least a tie in its final NJAC game today at Rowan, falls to 8-6-3 overall and 2-4-2 in the conference.

After a scoreless first half, O'Connor notched her fourth goal of the season and third game-winning goal at 65:22. It was assisted by seniors Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) and Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling).

The game marked the 73rd career appearance for Lady Raptor Pagaduan, setting a program record. She had been tied for most career appearances at 72 with Nicole Lauri (2000-2003).

The victory also was the 10th shutout of the season, tying the team record set in 2003. All 10 of those shutouts have been recorded by sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran), extending her individual single-season and career records. Comella made three saves in earning the win as the Raptors outshot the Roadrunners, 8-7.

Ramapo held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.

The game also marked the Lady Raptors' seventh 1-0 contest this season. Rutgers-Camden is 5-2 in 1-0 games.

Rutgers-Camden will travel to No. 3 seed Kean University for a 7 p.m. First Round NJAC playoff game Saturday night.

CAMDEN - The Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer game scheduled for Oct. 24 at Baptist Bible College has been cancelled due to the field conditions at that campus in Clarks Summit, Pa. It will not be rescheduled.

The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday in their final regular-season game of the year. They will play a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest at Ramapo College, beginning at 4 p.m. In that game, Rutgers-Camden senior Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) will make her 73rd career appearance as a Lady Raptor, setting a program record. She currently is tied for most career appearances at 72 with Nicole Lauri (2000-2003).

Rutgers-Camden owns an overall record of 11-7. The Lady Raptors are 4-4 in the NJAC and currently standing in sixth place in the race for the sixth and final spot in the conference playoffs, which begin Saturday.

MONTCLAIR - Senior Jess Amendola (Union, NJ/Union) had a hand in all three Montclair State goals, including the game-winning tally with 4:26 left in the first overtime, as the Red Hawks defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 3-2, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Oct. 22.

Montclair State improves to 6-8-3 overall and 3-2-3 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Camden falls to 11-7 and 4-4.

Amendola had two goals and an assist as the Red Hawks won for the first time since Sept. 28, a span of seven games. For Rutgers-Camden, which received goals from senior Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) and freshman Ally Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), it was the second straight loss.

In the overtime, the Red Hawks' Nicole Kogut (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) ripped a direct kick off the crossbar and the ball rebounded to Jennifer Kelleher (Englishtown, NJ/Old Bridge). Kelleher tapped a pass to Amendola for the winning goal.

Amendola gave Montclair State a 1-0 lead 54 seconds into the game as she drilled a shot from the top of the box into the upper right corner for her seventh goal of the season.

The Lady Raptors tied the game at 31:35 after Pagaduan was taken down inside the box and awarded a penalty kick. Pagaduan, who was playing in the 72nd game of her career to tie Nicole Lauri's (2000-03) program record, drilled a shot inside the right post past the outstretched arms of MSU keeper Kristin Kuhmann (Beachwood, NJ/Toms River South).

Montclair State answered just over two minutes later. Amendola moved the ball to within 10 yards on the left side, firing a shot the goalkeeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) deflected. The ball bounced out to Megan Brown (Ramsey, NJ/Ramsey), who tapped it into the open net for her first collegiate goal.

In the second half, Rutgers-Camden had an opportunity to tie the game on another penalty kick with 19:22 remaining, but the Raptors' shot went high. Rutgers-Camden, however, tied the game 68 seconds later as Jones collected a loose ball and fired a 15-yard shot into the upper right side of the goal.

Montclair State outshot Rutgers-Camden, 15-6, and held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks. Comella made eight saves for the Raptors, while Kuhmann had three for the Red Hawks.

The Lady Raptors return to action Monday with a 3 p.m. non-conference game at Baptist Bible College.

CAMDEN - On a night when the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer honored its seniors, one of those Lady Raptors came up with the biggest pass of the night.

Senior tri-captain Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) set up the game-winning goal with a heel flick at the top of the box and junior Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) buried a shot into the right panel to lift Rutgers-Camden to a comeback 2-1 victory over Wesley College in a non-conference game here Oct. 20.

The victory lifts the Lady Raptors to 11-6, while the Wolverines fall to 8-7.

Rutgers-Camden rallied from a 1-0 deficit with two goals in the final 8:10, which was the most goals for the Lady Raptors since a 2-0 win over Manhattanville Oct. 5. It was the eighth one-goal game for Rutgers-Camden, which had played in four straight 1-0 games entering the night - winning three of them.

It appeared that the Raptors might lose their second straight 1-0 game when Wesley took a 1-0 lead at 66:19 on an unassisted goal by freshman Jessica Trenkamp (Vincentown, NJ/Senaca). Only three minutes after entering the game as a sub, Trenkamp collected a loose ball in the box following a corner kick and hit a high shot into the net for her first collegiate goal.

Rutgers-Camden knotted the game at 1-1 when freshman Ally Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) scored her sixth goal of the season, driving home a loose ball from the top right side of the box at 81:50. Junior Katie O'Connor (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) assisted on the play.

With time winding down, the Lady Raptors went on the attack again, and Boiler found herself at the top of the box when she heel-flicked a backwards feed to McDermott toward the left wing. McDermott drove her team-leading seventh goal inside the far post, scoring with 1:27 remaining in regulation.

The two teams played to a first-half scoreless tie, with Rutgers-Camden coming the closest to breaking the deadlock when O'Connor banged a shot off the crossbar midway through the half.

Rutgers-Camden outshot Wesley, 17-9, while the Wolverines held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. Raptors sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) had two saves, while Wesley's sophomore keeper Brittany Block (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) had seven.

Prior to the game, the Lady Raptors recognized their four departing players on Senior Night: Boiler, Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling), Sarah Pacella (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) and Kate Machion (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI), who has junior eligibility but is a senior academically and will graduate this year.

The Lady Raptors return to action Saturday with a 2 p.m. game at Montclair State University. In that game, Pagaduan will play her 72nd contest at Rutgers-Camden, tying the school's career mark set by Nicole Lauri (2000-2003).

CAMDEN - Albright College ended more than the scoreless streak of the Rutgers-Camden women's soccer team here Oct. 18.

The Lady Lions also ended the Lady Raptors' winning streak.

Albright freshman Anne Curry (Sinking Spring, PA/Governor Mifflin) scored her team-leading 21st goal of the season 1:00 into the second half to lift the Lions to a 1-0 victory over the Raptors in a non-conference game. The loss ended Rutgers-Camden's winning streak and shutout streak at four. It also snapped the Lady Raptors' consecutive scoreless minutes string, but not before Rutgers-Camden sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) set a school record, running her string to 409.20. The old mark of 367.50, set by Tracy Stonaker in 2004, was passed early in the game.

The loss drops the Lady Raptors to 10-6, while the Lady Lions improve to 11-4-1 with the win. It was the fourth consecutive 1-0 game for Rutgers-Camden, which had won the previous three.

Both teams battled to a scoreless first half in which Albright held a 6-5 advantage in shots and a 3-0 margin in corner kicks. The Lady Lions, however, collected an early goal one minute into the second half on the shot by Curry, assisted by sophomore Megan Gring (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin).

That was all the offense either side could muster as Albright sophomore goalie Jess Schmura (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) notched nine saves to record her ninth shutout of the season. Comella had seven saves in the loss.

The game featured a matchup between the past and the present for first-year Rutgers-Camden head coach Tom Greenawalt. Greenawalt coached at Albright College from 2002-2004.

Overall, Albright outshot Rutgers-Camden, 11-10, and held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

The Lady Raptors return to action Thursday for their final regular-season home game. They host Wesley College at 7 p.m.

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden sophomore back Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) added another honor Oct. 18 when she was named the Div. III ECAC Metro Player of the Week. The honor comes one day after she was named as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, marking the second consecutive week in which the Lady Raptors swept NJAC and ECAC honors.

On Oct. 10 and 11, sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week and the Div. III ECAC Metro Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively.

Mancine was honored for the Raptors' pair of 1-0 shutout wins over NJAC rivals William Paterson (Oct. 12) and Kean (Oct. 15) during the week that ended Oct. 16. Those games gave the Raptors four consecutive shutout victories, including three straight 1-0 wins.

Mancine and fellow backs Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights), Michelle Bisceglia (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Jenna Perez (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) have teamed with Comella to record 363:20 consecutive scoreless minutes, only 4:30 shy of the program record established by keeper Tracy Stonaker in 2004.

Last week the Raptors' defense limited Paterson to five shots and Kean to 13 in their pair of shutout wins.

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden sophomore back Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) became the second consecutive Lady Raptor women's soccer player to earn New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors when she was cited for her outstanding play Oct. 17.

Mancine was honored for the Raptors' pair of 1-0 shutout wins over NJAC rivals William Paterson (Oct. 12) and Kean (Oct. 15) during the week that ended Oct. 16. Those games gave the Raptors four consecutive shutout victories, including three straight 1-0 wins.

Mancine and fellow backs Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights), Michelle Bisceglia (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Jenna Perez (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) have teamed with goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) to record 363:20 consecutive scoreless minutes, only 4:30 shy of the program record established by keeper Tracy Stonaker in 2004.

Last week the Raptors' defense limited Paterson to five shots and Kean to 13 in their pair of shutout wins.

Comella, who has established single-season and career program records with nine shutouts, was honored as the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 10. She also earned Div. III ECAC Metro Goalkeeper of the Week honors on Oct. 11.

Mancine becomes the third Lady Raptor to earn weekly NJAC honors this season. In addition to Comella, senior midfielder Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) was named the NJAC Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 12.

Rutgers-Camden owns a 10-5 record, including six shutout wins in its last seven games. The Lady Raptors play a 7 p.m. non-conference game at Albright College Tuesday.

CAMDEN - Junior midfielder Katie O'Connor (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) provided the offense and the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team posted a record-setting shutout behind sophomore goalkeeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) as the Lady Raptors edged Kean University, 1-0, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Oct. 15.

With their fourth straight shutout win, the Lady Raptors improve to 10-5 overall and 4-3 in the NJAC. The Cougars fall to 9-5 overall and 5-2 in the NJAC with their third straight loss.

The victory was the third consecutive 1-0 win and fourth 1-0 triumph of the season for the Lady Raptors, both program records. The previous mark of three 1-0 wins was accomplished in both 1999 and 2003.

The shutout also was a record-setting one for Comella, who now owns nine shutouts in her young career, breaking the tie she had for the school record with Kristen Stewart (1998-2001). She also extended her own single-season school record to nine shutouts, making seven saves, and ran her consecutive shutout minute string in goal to 363:20. The school record of 367:50 was set by Tracy Stonaker in 2004.

Rutgers-Camden has posted six shutouts in its last seven games, with the only blemish coming in a 4-0 loss to The College of New Jersey, currently ranked No. 2 nationally.

In a hard-fought NJAC battle, neither team managed many good shots despite both having some offensive chances. Kean held a 5-4 edge in shots for the first half and a 13-6 margin in the game. The Cougars also had both of the game's corner kicks.

In the second half, with both teams searching for the elusive goal, O'Connor stole the ball near midfield on Kean's defensive half and sprinted in for a one-on-one against Cougar senior goalie Jessica Kogel (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West). O'Connor lofted a high shot that tucked just under the crossbar for her third goal of the season. It was her second game-winning goal. That was all Comella needed, with the help of stellar play by her fullbacks, junior tri-captain Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights), junior Michelle Bisceglia (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), sophomore Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and freshman Jenna Perez (Deptford, NJ/Deptford).

Both teams return to action with non-conference road games Tuesday. Kean travels to DeSales University for a 4 p.m. contest. Rutgers-Camden plays a 7 p.m. game at Albright College, the former program coached by Lady Raptors first-year head coach Tom Greenawalt.

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden sophomore goalkeeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) collected four saves to notch her single-season school record eighth shutout and senior midfielder Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) scored the game's only goal to lead the Lady Raptors over William Paterson University, 1-0, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference women's soccer game here Oct. 12.

With their third straight shutout win, the Lady Raptors improve to 9-5 overall and 3-3 in the NJAC. The Pioneers fall to 4-10-1 overall and 0-5-1 in the NJAC with their sixth consecutive defeat. Rutgers-Camden now leads the all-time series, 3-2-1.

On a cold, windy night, the Lady Raptors scored the lone goal at 25:03 when Pagaduan took a shot from 20 yards out on the top right side of the box. Her shot grazed off the outstretched leg of a Pioneer defender attempting to block it, and slipped inside the right post. It was the second goal of the season for the Lady Raptor tri-captain, and her first game-winning tally.

The rest of the night belonged to Comella and the Raptor defense, who notched their fifth shutout in the last six games and eighth of the season. All shutouts belong to Comella, who broke the single-season program mark she shared with Tracy Winter (2002). With her eighth shutout, she also tied the program's career record set by Kristin Stewart, who had eight shutouts from 1998-2001.

Comella received outstanding help again from her fullback quartet of junior tri-captain Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights), junior Michelle Bisceglia (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), sophomore Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and freshman Jenna Perez (Deptford, NJ/Deptford). That quartet helped Comella post a pair of shutouts in two games last week to earn honors this week as the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week and the Div. III ECAC Metro Goaltender of the Week.

For William Paterson, junior goalie Meaghan Koppel (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) made four saves.

Rutgers-Camden outshot William Paterson, 9-5, and held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.

Both teams return to NJAC action with home games Saturday. Rutgers-Camden hosts Kean University at 1 p.m. and William Paterson entertains Rutgers-Newark at 5 p.m.

CAMDEN - One day after earning honors as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Rutgers University-Camden sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) was honored as the Division III ECAC Metro Goaltender of the Week Oct. 11.

Comella, a sophomore goalie, earned her NJAC and ECAC honors after notching a pair of shutouts over Manhattanville College (2-0, Oct. 5) and St. Joseph's College-Patchogue (1-0, Oct. 8). She made two saves against Manhattanville and one against Patchogue as she raised her season total to seven shutouts, tying the program's single-season record set by Tracy Winter in 2002.

For the season, Comella has played all 1172:19 in goal for the Lady Raptors, owning an 8-5 record and a 1.07 goals-against average. She is second in the NJAC in shutouts per game with an average of 0.54.

The Lady Raptors host NJAC rival William Paterson University on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden soccer players Baris Uslu (Giresun, Turkey/Triton Regional) and Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) were honored Oct. 10 as a New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week for their respective sports.

Comella, a sophomore goalie, was named the NJAC Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week after notching a pair of shutouts over Manhattanville College (2-0, Oct. 5) and St. Joseph's College-Patchogue (1-0, Oct. 8). She made two saves against Manhattanville and one against Patchogue as she raised her season total to seven shutouts, tying the program's single-season record set by Tracy Winter in 2002.

For the season, Comella has played all 1172:19 in goal for the Lady Raptors, owning an 8-5 record and a 1.07 goals-against average.

Uslu, a senior midfielder, captured the NJAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honor by collecting two goals and one assist during a 3-0 week, helping the Scarlet Raptors improve their record to 11-3. He collected an assist against Delaware Valley College Oct. 3 and he had a pair of goals - the game-tying and game-winning goals - in a 4-1 comeback victory over Cabrini College Oct. 8.

One of the Raptors' tri-captains, Uslu has five goals and is tied for the team lead with four assists this season. He is second on the team with 14 points and also owns a pair of game-winning goals.

Uslu has played in 36 games at Rutgers-Camden since transferring from Camden County College, scoring 11 goals and adding seven assists for 29 points.

Both Rutgers-Camden soccer teams play NJAC rival William Paterson University on Wednesday. The women's game is home at 6 p.m., while the men travel to Paterson for a 7 p.m. contest.

Pacella's quick goal lifts
Rutgers-Camden past Patchogue

CAMDEN - Senior midfielder Sarah Pacella (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) scored a goal 1:06 into the game to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team over St. Joseph's College-Patchogue, 1-0, in a rainy non-conference Homecoming Day game here Oct. 8.

Pacella scored her first goal of the year following a short corner kick and a chip into the box by junior forward Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown). Pacella hit the ball into the net from 10 yards out, giving the Raptors the only goal they needed on the wet day.

It was the second consecutive game that the Raptors notched a quick first strike, including a goal 44 seconds into the game by McDermott in a 2-0 win over Manhattanville College Wednesday.

Rutgers-Camden sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) made one save to notch her seventh shutout of the season, tying the program record set by Tracy Winter in 2002.

The victory improves Rutgers-Camden to 8-5, while St. Joseph's-Patchogue falls to 6-7.

Rutgers-Camden out-shot the Golden Eagles, 10-4, and held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Patchogue senior keeper Katie Schnitzenbaumer (C. Moriches, NY/St. John the Baptist) made two saves.

The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday with a 6 p.m. New Jersey Athletic Conference home game against William Paterson University.

McDermott's quick goal lifts
Rutgers-Camden past Manhattanville

CAMDEN - Junior forward Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) notched one of the quickest goals in program history, scoring off a corner kick just 44 seconds into the game, to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team to a 2-0 non-conference win over Manhattanville College here Oct. 5.

The victory lifts the Lady Raptors to 7-5, while the Valiants fall to 2-10.

McDermott scored following a corner kick exchange with freshman midfielder Ally Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), in which her short corner kick was fed back to her. She launched a shot from the left wing into the far right panel for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

The goal, 44 seconds into the game, was just 14 seconds shy of the quickest goal in program history, scored 30 seconds into a 1998 game by current Rutgers-Camden assistant coach Canice Leary. The Raptors also have had a pair of goals scored 36 seconds into the game.

Rutgers-Camden added an insurance goal by sophomore midfielder Deanna Richardson (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) at 33:17, assisted by McDermott. It was Richardson's first Rutgers-Camden goal.

The Lady Raptors outshot the Valiants, 19-3, and held a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks as Manhattanville lost its fourth consecutive game and third straight shutout defeat.

Manhattanville junior goalie Michele Ribeiro (West Hartford, CT/Conard) made eight saves on the night, while Rutgers-Camden sophomore keeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) had two saves. It was the sixth shutout of the season for Comella, one shy of the program record set in 2002 by Tracy Winter.

The Lady Raptors return to action Saturday when they entertain St. Joseph's College-Patchogue at 1:30 p.m. in the first part of a Homecoming Day doubleheader. In the nightcap, the Rutgers-Camden men's team entertains Cabrini College at 4 p.m.

No. 3 TCNJ blanks
Rutgers-Camden, 4-0

CHERRY HILL - The College of New Jersey women's soccer team, ranked No. 3 nationally in Division III, out-shot Rutgers University-Camden, 22-1, and scored a pair of goals in each half on its way to a 4-0 victory in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Oct. 1.

The game was played at Camden Catholic High School due to a sinkhole at Rutgers-Camden's soccer facility.

The Lions, who improve to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the NJAC, have now out-shot opponents, 207-30, and out-scored teams, 33-2.

Rutgers-Camden, which saw its two-game winning streak snapped, falls to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in the NJAC.

The Lions, who now own a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series, scored the only goal they needed at 29:19 after a long pass hit off a Raptor fullback and went right to sophomore forward Dana DiBruno (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East). DiBruno went one-on-one with Raptor sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) and beat her with a shot to the left side of the net. It was DiBruno's team-leading 10th goal of the season.

TCNJ added another unassisted goal following a free kick by sophomore back Courtney Krol (Howell, NJ/Howell). The long kick bounded off a pack of players at the top of the box and freshman forward Jamie Kunkel (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) tapped it into the right side for her first collegiate goal.

After the half, TCNJ added two more goals, beginning with a long direct kick by junior midfielder Lisa Kokotajlo (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert), which grazed off the crossbar and went into the net at 71:55. It was the second goal of the season for Kokotajlo.

The Lions notched their final goal with 3:20 remaining on a similar shot, a long drive off the crossbar and in by junior midfielder Caitlin Brennan (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson). It was assisted by freshman forward Kristen Tricocci (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson).

In addition to their 22-1 advantage in shots, the Lions held a 6-0 margin in corner kicks.

Comella made four saves for the Lady Raptors. For TCNJ, senior keeper Alissa Kacar (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) made just one save - off a first-half header by Raptor junior back Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) -- to earn her sixth shutout of the season. It was the eighth team shutout in nine games.

The Lions travel to No. 15 Johns Hopkins University for a 4 p.m. non-conference game Monday.

The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday, when they play a non-conference game at 7 p.m. against Manhattanville College.

Mancine's two assists
help lift Lady Raptors

CHERRY HILL - Sophomore back Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) collected two assists and senior midfielder Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) and junior forward Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) scored second-half goals to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team over Rutgers-Newark, 2-0, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Sept. 28.

The game was played at Camden Catholic High School due to a sinkhole at Rutgers-Camden's soccer facility.

Rutgers-Camden, which had an apparent tie-breaking goal disallowed early in the second half on an offside call, finally broke the scoring ice with 15:25 remaining following a corner kick by Mancine. Mancine sent the ball to the far post, where junior midfielder Katie O'Connor (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) redirected it into the middle for Boiler, who scored from close-range to notch her fifth goal of the year. It was the second game-winning tally for Boiler, one of the Raptors' tri-captains.

With their second straight victory, the Lady Raptors improve to 6-4 overall and 2-2 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Newark falls to 3-6-1 and 0-4 with its fourth consecutive loss.

Rutgers-Camden added an insurance goal with 2:39 remaining on a shot by McDermott, assisted by Mancine. It was McDermott's fifth goal of the season, tying her with Boiler and freshman midfielder Ally Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) for the team lead.

Rutgers-Camden outshot its northern sister school, 10-2, while Newark held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Lady Raptors' defense of Mancine, junior tri-captain Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) and senior tri-captain Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) and freshman back Jenna Perez (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) allowed few scoring opportunities for the Scarlet Raiders, helping sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) notch her fifth shutout of the season. Comella made two saves.

For Rutgers-Newark, sophomore keeper Katie Hastings (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) made six saves.

The Lady Raptors return to action Saturday when they entertain high-powered The College of New Jersey at 1 p.m. in another NJAC game.. The Lions are ranked No. 3 nationally.

The Scarlet Raiders play a conference road game at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Jersey City University.

Schedule changes
for Lady Raptors

CAMDEN - The Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team has been forced to move its game against Rutgers-Newark, which was scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in Camden.

Due to field conditions at Rutgers-Camden Community Park, the Lady Raptors will play the Scarlet Raiders Wednesday in a 4 p.m. game at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill.

Camden Catholic is located on Cuthbert Boulevard in Cherry Hill, just north of Route 38. It is directly across the street from the Courier-Post newspaper.

In another change to the Raptors' original schedule, the Oct. 3 game at Centenary College has been cancelled, due to a lack of healthy players for Centenary . It will not be rescheduled.

Rutgers-Camden owns a 5-4 record overall and a 1-2 mark in the New Jersey Athletic Conference entering its game against Rutgers-Newark.

McDermott powers Lady Raptors
to 3-0 win at New Jersey City University

JERSEY CITY - Junior forward Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) collected the game-winning goal and added two assists as the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team defeated New Jersey City University, 3-0, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Sept. 24.

The Lady Raptors improve to 5-4 overall and 1-2 in the NJAC, snapping a two-game losing streak in which they were held scoreless in each game. The Gothic Knights fall to 1-7 and 0-4 with their seventh straight loss.

McDermott scored her fourth goal of the season at 36:41 after a through ball by freshman midfielder Allyson Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) sprung her on a breakaway. It was McDermott's team-leading second game-winning goal of the season. Her first came on a tally in the first overtime to beat Cabrini, 1-0, Sept. 14.

The Raptors added another goal only 58 seconds before halftime on a breakaway by senior back Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling), assisted by McDermott. It was Pagaduan's first goal of the season.

In the second half, senior back Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) collected her fourth goal at 56:18, chipping a shot from the right wing over sophomore keeper Alexis Chisari (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus), who was charging out of the net. McDermott also assisted on that goal.

Chisari made eight saves as Rutgers-Camden outshot NJCU, 24-10. Lady Raptor sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) made five saves to record her fourth shutout of the season.

The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday when they entertain Rutgers-Newark in a 7 p.m. NJAC game.

Yerkes powers Rowan
past Rutgers-Camden

GLASSBORO - The Rowan University women's soccer team, listed among the "Also Receiving Votes" section in the Division III national Top 25 poll this week, raised its record to 9-0 with a 3-0 victory over Rutgers University-Camden in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Sept. 21.

The Profs, who also improved to 2-0 in the NJAC, tied a school record set in 1999 with their ninth straight win.

Rutgers-Camden falls to 4-4 overall and 0-2 in the NJAC with its second straight loss.

All three of Rowan's goals came in the second half. Sophomore forward Aimee Yerkes (Lumberton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) had the first two.

Yerkes knocked in a cross into the box by freshman back Amanda Silvesti (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) at 58:20. Her second goal of the game, and eighth of the season, came on an unassisted tally at 72:53.

At 88:05, junior midfielder Jamie Weist (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape Regional) scored the game's final goal. The tally, her second of the year, was assisted by junior midfielder Shannon Phillips (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape Regional).

Rowan took 15 shots, while Rutgers-Camden had five. Profs junior goalie Gabby Ditchey (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape Regional) made three saves for her fourth solo shutout. For the Scarlet Raptors, sophomore Theresa Cornella (Delran, NJ/Delran) stopped six shots.

The Lady Raptors return to action Saturday with a 1 p.m. NJAC game at New Jersey City University.

Stockton tops Lady Raptors
in NJAC soccer opener

POMONA - The Richard Stockton College women's soccer team used goals from Kari Devine (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) and Jaci Greenstein (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) on its way to a 2-0 victory over Rutgers University-Camden here September 17.

The Ospreys improve to 2-5-1 overall and 2-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference with their second straight win. The Lady Raptors fall to 4-3 and 0-1 in their NJAC opener.

Devine scored her first goal of the season at 8:10, assisted by Katie Henderson (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown).

The Ospreys added an insurance goal in the second half when Greenstein headed home a corner kick by Val Davison (Cranbury, NJ/Princeton).

Stockton outshot Rutgers-Camden, 16-2, and held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks. Osprey keeper Becky Baisley (Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton) registered two saves to record Stockton's first shutout of the season.

Rutgers-Camden sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) had seven saves.

The Lady Raptors return to NJAC action Wednesday with a 7 p.m. game at Rowan University.

McDermott's overtime goal lifts
Rutgers-Camden past Cabrini

CAMDEN -Junior forward Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) scored the game's only goal 2:19 into the first overtime period to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team over Cabrini College, 1-0, in a non-conference game here September 14.

The victory, the Lady Raptors' fourth win it their last five games, lifts Rutgers-Camden to 4-2. Cabrini falls to 1-3.

McDermott took a pass near midfield from freshman midfielder Ally Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) and raced down the right touchline in a one-on-one battle with a Cabrini back. She turned the corner and closed in on the goal before she drilled a shot into the far panel for the game-winning goal. It was McDermott's third goal of the season.

Rutgers-Camden outshot Cabrini, 14-6, and the Lady Cavaliers held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Lady Raptor sophomore keeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) made two saves to earn her third shutout of the season. For Cabrini, sophomore Lea Conti (Media, PA/Strath Haven) had six saves.

The Lady Raptors return to action Saturday when they open New Jersey Athletic Conference play with a 1 p.m. game at Richard Stockton College.

Lady Raptors' Boiler earns
NJAC Player of Week honor

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden senior back/midfielder Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) was named as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 12 after a big week in which she collected three goals and two assists in four games.

One of the Lady Raptors' tri-captains, Boiler led the team to a 3-1 week, starting with a game-tying goal in an eventual 2-1 win over Arcadia University Sept. 6. She had a goal and two assists in a 7-0 win over SUNY-Farmingdale Sept. 8 and notched the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Swarthmore College Sept. 11.

Boiler, in her third year at Rutgers-Camden since transferring from Burlington County College, is an English major. She is the daughter of Michael and Lori Boiler of Medford.

Rutgers-Camden owns a 3-2 record heading into a home game Wednesday night (7 p.m.) against Cabrini College.

Boiler, O'Connor lift
Raptors past Swarthmore

CHESTER, PA - Senior back Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) and junior midfielder Katie O'Connor (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) each collected a goal as the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team blanked Swarthmore College, 2-0, in the Pioneer Classic September 11 at Widener University.

In the championship game, sophomore forwards Emily Sullivan (Bowie, MD/Archbishop Spalding) and Ashley Gross (York, PA/Eastern York) each scored twice as York (PA) College defeated host Widener, 4-0.

The Lady Raptors return to action Wednesday when they host Cabrini College at 7 p.m.

Rutgers-Camden 2, Swarthmore 0
Boiler scored her third goal of the season, and first game-winning tally, at 22:09, assisted by sophomore midfielder Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape). O'Connor tacked on an insurance goal at 74:32, assisted by junior forward Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown).

The victory was the third in the last four games for Rutgers-Camden, which improves to 3-2 overall.

Rutgers-Camden sophomore keeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) had three saves to earn her second shutout in three games. The only goal charged to Comella in that span was an own goal in a 1-0 loss to Widener Saturday.

Freshman keeper Lauren Walker (Fallston, MD/The Hotchkiss School) made two saves and allowed Boiler's goal while playing the first 30:18 for Swarthmore. Sophomore Kristen Traband (Swarthmore, PA/Ridley) played the final 59:42 for the Garnet, allowing one goal and making five saves.

Rutgers-Camden held a 15-6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 margin in corner kicks.

York 4, Widener 0
Undefeated York College won its fifth straight game and the Pioneer Classic title, while handing Widener its first loss (3-1).

Sullivan scored the only goals the Spartans needed at 23:32, and Gross followed with a goal at 43:41. Both players added second-half goals, with Sullivan scoring at 59:23 and Gross at 66:49.

Junior goalie Amanda Lomberg (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) made six saves to post her second shutout of the weekend. She added a 3-0 win over Swarthmore Saturday.

Own goal lifts Widener
over Rutgers-Camden

CHESTER, PA - Host Widener University and York (PA) College remained undefeated as both teams posted opening-day shutouts at the Pioneer Classic here September 10.

Widener edged Rutgers University-Camden, 1-0, on an own goal, while York blanked Swarthmore College, 3-0.

The Pioneer Classic concludes Sunday when the Lady Raptors face Swarthmore at 10 a.m. and Widener battles York (PA) at 12 p.m.

Widener 1, Rutgers-Camden 0
Widener raised its record to 3-0, aided by an own goal at 60:06. It is Widener's best start since opening the 2002 season at 5-0.

The Pioneers collected seven shots, while the Raptors had five.

Widener's combined shutout was notched by senior Kelli Quinn (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and junior Betsy Shoustal (Reading, PA/Exeter). Quinn made all three Widener saves while playing the opening half.

Rutgers-Camden sophomore keeper Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) had five saves.

The loss dropped the Raptors to 2-2.

York 3, Swarthmore 0
Undefeated York College won its fourth game with a 3-0 shutout over Swarthmore, scoring the eventual game-winning goal in the 12th minute. Freshman Jill Stanley (Stewartstown, PA/Kennard-Dale) converted the rebound of a shot by Katie Kegerreis (Honey Brook, PA/Twin Valley).

The Spartans scored again four minutes later on a shot by Emily Sullivan (Bowie, MD/Archbishop Spalding), assisted by Erin Kuhn (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Township) and Tara Ryan (Milford, PA /Delaware Valley).

One minute later, Sullivan scored again, assisted by Stanley.

Junior goalie Amanda Lomberg (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) made four saves to post the shutout.

Jones' hat trick powers
Raptors over Farmingdale

CAMDEN - Freshman midfielder Allyson Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) collected a hat trick and sophomore midfielder Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) added two goals and two assists to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team to a 7-0 non-conference victory over SUNY-Farmingdale here September 8.

The victory was the second straight for the Lady Raptors, who improve to 2-1. The Rams fall to 0-1-1.

Jones, who leads the team in scoring with five goals and one assist for 11 points, has notched at least one goal in all three of the Lady Raptors' games this year. Her hat trick was the first for Rutgers-Camden since Jacci Giannone had three goals against Rutgers-Newark Oct. 31, 2003, and tied the single-game school record held shared by six other players.

The seven goals were the most by the Lady Raptors since a 9-0 win over Lancaster Bible Sept. 15, 2004.

Junior forward Katie O'Connor (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) headed home the only goal the Raptors needed at 30:33 off a corner kick by sophomore midfielder Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape). That was the only tally of the first half for the Raptors, despite a 12-1 advantage in shots in the first 45 minutes and a near miss when senior back Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) slammed a shot off the crossbar with 9:00 remaining in the half.

Rutgers-Camden exploded for six goals after halftime, including the first by Jones just 39 seconds into the second half. Her goal was assisted by McDermott, and McDermott assisted Jones again at 51:11.

Boiler got on the board at 54:29 when her shot hit off a defender, and McDermott notched her first goal following a corner kick at 80:17.

The Raptors collected their final two goals in rapid fashion at 86:10 and 86:31, scoring 21 seconds apart to barely miss the fastest back-to-back goals (15 seconds apart) in school history. Boiler assisted both goals on a header by Jones and a shot by McDermott.

The Lady Raptors finished with a 23-2 advantage in shots as sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) made just one save to post her first collegiate shutout. Farmingdale senior keeper Pam Baione (Farmingdale, NY/Plainedge) allowed four goals and made nine saves in 67:13 of action, while freshman keeper Nicole Parker (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) made one save and allowed three goals in the final 22:47.

The Lady Raptors return to action this weekend when they play at Widener University's Pioneer Classic Saturday and Sunday. They face host Widener at 12 p.m. Saturday and play Swarthmore College at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Jones' goal lifts Raptors
to 2-1 win at Arcadia

GLENSIDE, PA - Freshman midfielder Allyson Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) broke a halftime tie with a goal one minute into the second half to power the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team over Arcadia University, 2-1, in a non-conference game here Sept. 6.

The victory was the first of the season for the Lady Raptors, who evened their record at 1-1. It was the first Rutgers-Camden win for new head coach Tom Greenawalt.

Arcadia falls to 1-2.

Jones' game-winning goal was assisted by junior midfielder Kate Machion (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI). It was the team-leading second goal for Jones.

The Scarlet Knights scored the game's first goal when senior midfielder Maria DeGeorge (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) scored 28 minutes into the contest. The Raptors tied the game six minutes later when senior back Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) collected the deflection of Jones' shot off the goalkeeper and scored from 20 yards out.

The Knights appeared to notch the tying goal with five minutes remaining in the game, but the shot was nullified when an Arcadia player was called for a handball.

The Lady Raptors return to action Thursday when they host SUNY-Farmingdale at 6 p.m.

Johns Hopkins topples
Lady Raptors in opener

CAMDEN - Senior forward Meg McIntosh (Los Angeles, CA/Brentwood) scored two goals and senior forward Laura Elgort (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) added a late-game insurance tally to lead the Johns Hopkins University women's soccer team over Rutgers University-Camden, 3-1, in the season opener for both teams here September 1.

The Blue Jays, who held a 25-3 advantage in shots, broke open a scoreless deadlock at 56:21 when McIntosh chipped in a centering pass from sophomore forward Kim Lane (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan).

Less than one minute later, Rutgers-Camden collected its first shot of the game on a penalty kick, but the shot was saved by Johns Hopkins senior keeper Jen Goebel (Jericho, NY/Jerocho) for her lone save of the game.

McIntosh, who tied Lane for the team lead in scoring last year with 10 goals, two assists and 22 points, collected her second goal at 57:45, off a breakaway from junior midfielder Jessi McKenzie (Morristown, NJ/Morristown).

The Lady Raptors notched their first goal of the season with 1:47 remaining on an unassisted 25-yard tally by freshman midfielder Allyson Jones (Aubudon, NJ/Audubon). Her goal cut the gap to 2-1, but Elgort scored with 25 seconds remaining, assisted by freshman midfielder Molly Steele (Daleville, VA/North Cross).

Johns Hopkins held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks in addition to its 25-3 margin in shots. Rutgers-Camden sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran) made nine saves.

The Lady Raptors return to action Tuesday with a 4 p.m. game at Arcadia University.

Greenawalt ready for first year
as Lady Raptors' head coach

CAMDEN - A new era is dawning for the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer program, and Tom Greenawalt is ready to take the Lady Raptors on the journey.

Greenawalt - who coached the past three seasons at Albright College, including the last two seasons with both the men's and the women's soccer programs - becomes the third head coach in the history of the Lady Raptors' program. He takes over for Brian Sheehan, who resigned last November after compiling a 51-31-10 record in five years at Rutgers-Camden, including a 25-10-5 mark over the last two seasons.

The 2004 Lady Raptors were the most explosive team in the seven-year history of the program. They collected school records with 65 goals and 188 points, and tied the mark of 58 assists. They posted a 12-6-2 record, earned their second straight berth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs and captured their third straight post-season berth, counting the 2002 ECAC Metro Tournament.

The team set a program record with five consecutive shutouts to open the season, including a pair of wins to capture the fourth annual Pepsi-Cola Kick-Off Classic at Marywood University Sept. 4-5. Senior Heather Greenwald (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) was named the Offensive MVP at that event, while senior Rachel Greenwald (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) and sophomore Aubree McDermott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) both earned all-tournament honors.

Sophomore goalie Tracy Stonaker (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) rode those five shutouts to a program record 367:50 consecutive scoreless minutes, and closed the year playing a school-record 1,401:06 minutes in goal.

The Raptors finished tied for 28th in the nation in goals per game (3.25). Heather Greenwald and junior Jacci Giannone (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) each tied for 30th in the country in assists per game (0.60 with 12 assists in 20 contests).

Rutgers-Camden set or tied 11 career and single-season individual records and eight team marks in 2004. McDermott also set a single-game record for the fastest two back-to-back goals, scoring twice against Centenary College (Sept. 27) in a span of 15 seconds.

The Raptors graduated three seniors, including the Greenwald sisters, who finished their careers with a host of program records, and Melissa Ulrick (Pitman, NJ/Pitman), a two-year letterwinner who notched two goals in 17 games last year. Heather Greenwald set single-season marks for goals (16) and points (44) in 2004 on her way to career marks for goals (46), game-winning goals (13) and points (121). Rachel Greenwald set the career assist record with 36 and finished fourth on the scoring chart with 78 points.

The Greenwalds each earned NJAC Honorable Mention last season, in addition to numerous academic honors. Both earned Academic All-District II honors (Heather First Team and Rachel Third Team), and Heather Greenwald added prestigious honors by being named to the ESPN Academic All-America College Division Second Team.

As he begins his first season at Rutgers-Camden, Greenawalt is replacing more than Sheehan and the senior trio of Ulrick and the Greenwalds. Nine lettermen are gone, including several key players who opted to concentrate on their academic majors instead of soccer, such as Giannone and Stonaker.

Greenawalt's first team returns 10 letterwinners, including senior back Erin Boiler (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) and junior back Kelley Murphy (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights). Boiler started 14 games in the midfield last season, while Murphy was sidelined by an injury in 2004. They will serve as the team's tri-captains along with senior forward Katlyn Pagaduan (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling). They will anchor a defense which also includes junior letterwinner Michelle Bisceglia (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional). Bisceglia has started 29 of her 30 games during her first two seasons at Rutgers-Camden.

A newcomer to the defense will be freshman back Jenna Perez (Deptford, NJ/Deptford), a scholastic standout who will start as an outside back. Another new back will be freshman Melannya Vasquez (Pennsauken, NJ/Toms River North).

Those backs will help anchor the defense in front of sophomore goalie Therese Comella (Delran, NJ/Delran). She served as Stonaker's backup last year, when she made three starts in nine games, playing 427:31 and posting a 1.89 goals-against average and a 2-1 record. The Lady Raptors also will have sophomore Kristen Cargen (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East), a newcomer, in goal. Cargen, recuperating from a injury, should be ready to return by late September.

"I'm a defensive coach," said Greenawalt, who has made several changes in the Raptors' defense from last season, including the move of Boiler from the midfield to fullback. "Therese has to step up. It's her job in goal."

Two other returning veterans are Pagaduan and junior Katie O'Connor (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township). Both players have earned All-NJAC Honorable Mention as fullbacks (Pagaduan in 2003 and O'Connor last year), but find themselves in different roles this year. Pagaduan will play forward and O'Connor moves to the midfield. Pagaduan collected three goals and three assists for nine points last year, while O'Connor had three goals and one assist for seven points.

Pagaduan is one of the players Greenawalt is counting on to spark the offense. An aggressive player as a fullback, she brings that desire up top.

"She's aggressive and she can run," Greenawalt said. "We're looking for her to get a lot of goals."

Rutgers-Camden also expects to get plenty of goals from McDermott, a junior who collected 13 goals and six assists for 32 points in her first year with the team last season. A transfer from FDU-Teaneck, she tied Giannone for second on the team in scoring in 2004, and can play up top or in the midfield.

Freshman forward Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross) also will help the Raptors' attack.

The Lady Raptors' strength will be in its talented and deep midfield, which includes O'Connor, McDermott and three other veterans in juniors Kate Machion (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI) and Liz Schneider (Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro), and sophomore Lauren Houck (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East).

Machion finished fifth on the Raptors in scoring last season (five goals, five assists, 15 points), while Houck had five assists. Schneider, returns for her third season after missing last year recovering from an ACL injury. She started 16 of her 18 games during the 2003 season.

The biggest additions to the deep midfield will be a pair of newcomers in center halfbacks Allyson Jones (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) and Brittney Mancine (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape).

Mancine had a phenomenal freshman year at Camden County College last season, leading the team with 32 points (11 goals, 10 assists), capturing All-Region XIX First Team honors and capping her year by being named to the National Junior College Athletic Association's Division III All-American Second Team.

Jones, a transfer who spent last season injured, will team with Mancine to give the Raptors a strong center midfield, which will be bolstered by Houck's talents in the middle.

"Mancine is playing center midfield for us, and she could play up top," Greenawalt said. "She's really versatile. We're putting a lot of pressure on her. Ally Jones is a big transfer. She's probably the fastest player on the team. She brings a lot of speed. She can travel with the ball pretty fast."

Three other newcomers in the midfield are sophomores Deanna Richardson (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) and Kaitlin Reilly (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and senior Sarah Pacella (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood), Pagaduan's cousin. Richardson is reunited with McDermott, her friend and former Moorestown High School teammate. Reilly is a transfer from Montclair State University, who played in 2003.

A newcomer who will play midfield or forward is Josephine Stansbury (Westfield, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), who was a two-time Region XIX and Garden State Athletic Conference honoree at Gloucester County College.

Joining Greenawalt on the coaching staff will be assistant Canice Leary, who was the Lady Raptors' first team MVP in the program's maiden season in 1998.

"It's a rebuilding year," Greenawalt said. "We probably have about five returning players who will start. We're a physically fit team. I'm looking for us to wear teams down. Nobody earns a free ride on my team.

"We're excited. It's working out well."

Greenawalt named
Lady Raptors' coach

CAMDEN - For the past two collegiate soccer seasons, Tom Greenawalt has been forced to divide his attention to coaching details.

Greenawalt won't have that problem any more after being named as the head coach of the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team. Greenawalt succeeds Brian Sheehan, who resigned last fall after his fifth year with the Lady Raptors' program.

Greenawalt is looking forward to the challenge, as well as the opportunity to concentrate on one team. For the past two years, he has worked in the dual role as head coach for both the men's and women's soccer teams at Albright College in Reading, PA. He also coached the Lady Lions' team in 2002 before adding the men's job the next season.

"It was strenuous at times," said the 29-year-old Greenawalt. "All road trips were done together. We'd always play doubleheaders. The practices were even longer."

Yet it wasn't the double-duty as much as Greenawalt's growing knowledge of Rutgers-Camden that prompted his interest in the Scarlet Raptors' coaching position, which became available when Sheehan resigned to pursue other interests. Greenawalt's Albright teams played the Raptors in a soccer doubleheader Oct. 19, 2004 at Rutgers-Camden Community Park. His women posted a 1-1 tie in double overtime against Rutgers-Camden, while the Scarlet Raptor men blanked Albright, 4-0. The two women's teams also played on Sept. 3, 2003 at Albright, with Rutgers-Camden winning, 1-0.

"This team here is a solid team," said Greenawalt, who inherits a program entering its eighth varsity season. He now has the luxury of recruiting at a state university, featuring a state-of-the-art facility covered in synthetic FieldTurf.

"The program is already established," Greenawalt said. "New Jersey is like the soccer capital of the world. Recruiting will be a lot easier here."

In addition to his professional job as a disciplinarian at a Philadelphia high school, Greenawalt had to juggle recruiting and numerous other duties involved in coaching a pair of collegiate soccer programs. He took over the Lady Lions in 2002 and led them to an 8-10-1 record, a major improvement over the previous year's 2-7 team that finished with too few players to complete the season. In 2003, he added duties as Albright's men's coach, and once again led a fine turnaround. The men went 7-11-1 after going 1-14-2 the previous season. Greenawalt's women, meanwhile, posted a 7-10-3 mark in 2003.

Last fall the Albright men were 4-13-2, while the women recorded an outstanding 13-6-3 record.

"I feel I left the program in a much better position than when I took it over," he said.

Greenawalt takes over a Lady Raptors program which went 12-6-2 last fall and qualified for its second consecutive berth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs.

A former all-state soccer player at Muhlenberg High School, Greenawalt is the program's career leader in goals (68), assists (72) and points (208).

Greenawalt went on to have a standout four-year career at Marshall University from 1994-98, earning numerous honors as a senior, including First Team All-Mid-American Conference, Academic All-MAC and All-Mid East Region Second Team. He was the MVP of the Virginia Classic Tournament as his team earned runner-up status, and he led the team with 17 points (eight goals, one assist). He was a Deans List student at Marshall and a member of the Southern Conference Honor Roll. He capped his career earning selection to Marshall's 25th anniversary all-time men's soccer team.

Greenawalt graduated from Marshall in 1999 with a BA in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, and started pursuing his Masters degree at Washington College, where he also served two seasons as a graduate assistant men's soccer coach. He spent a year as the assistant women's soccer coach at Haverford College in 2001 before earning the head women's coaching job at Albright.

Greenawalt also serves as the captain of the Reading Rage soccer club, a member of the Premier Development League (PDL). Entering his seventh year with the team, Greenawalt has served the Rage in numerous capacities, including as the head coach of the Girls and Boys Premier Youth Teams and his ongoing role as the assistant director of the team's summer youth camps.

"Rutgers is very lucky," said Rage owner Jerry Wojton. "I think you made a great choice. Tom is a solid player and he's passionate towards the game. He takes the game very seriously. He's 100 percent focused on the game. On the field he's seen by everyone, he's heard by everyone and he communicates well with everyone. He's great with the fans. He's extremely knowledgeable. He's a very smart young man. Rutgers is fortunate to have him."

That sentiment is echoed by Rutgers-Camden Athletic Director Jeff Dean.

"He brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the program," Dean said. "We're excited to have Tom on our coaching staff."

Greenawalt shares that enthusiasm about his new position.

"I'm excited," said the Lady Raptors' coach, who lives in Ardmore, PA, with his wife Wendy and four-month-old son Tye Thomas. "Usually when you take over a new job, you're overwhelmed. I'm not. I'm happy. I'm delighted."

The Lady Raptors open their season Sept. 1 when they host Johns Hopkins University at 4:30 p.m.

Lady Raptors among
final 2004 national rankings

CAMDEN - The Rutgers-Camden women's soccer team was among the leaders in the final NCAA Division III statistics for 2004.

The Raptors' duo of junior forward Jacci Giannone (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and senior forward Heather Greenwald (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) tied for 30th among all D-III players with 0.60 assists per game. Both players notched 12 assists in 20 games to tie for the team lead.

As a team, the Lady Raptors collected a program-record 65 goals. They finished tied for 28th in the country in goals per game (3.25).

For the latest NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division III national and regional polls:

NSCAA

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Last updated: December 6, 2005 12:15 p.m.