Fact Sheet
The Rowan University women’s soccer team is looking to carry on its winning tradition in 2012. The Profs have compiled 13 straight winning seasons under head coach Scott Leacott and eight NCAA Championship Tournament appearances. Last year, the women’s soccer team had a 14-5 overall record with an 8-0 conference mark. Rowan was the number one seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament and received an at-large bid to the national tournament.
“This team is going to be similar to last year,” stated Leacott. “We are not going to have a 20 goal scorer. We could have three players with 10 or more. With our style of play, we will have several players that will contribute.”
In 2011, Rowan had balanced scoring with seven players in double figures. The Profs have back midfielder Dayna Sakalsky (jr. Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central). She was third in scoring with 19 points, eight goals and three assists. In the conference, Sakalsky was tied for 12th in goals. She received NJAC All-Conference honorable mention. This season, Sakalsky will also see time on the frontline.
“Dayna has explosive speed,” Leacott commented. “Most of her goals last year came off of her athleticism and speed. She is a very versatile player and can be used any place on the field.”
Forward Erika Suhl (so. Brick, NJ/Brick Mem.) is coming off an outstanding rookie season. She contributed with 17 points (five goals, seven assists) and finished fourth on the team. She was tied for seventh in the conference in assists. Suhl was chosen the NJAC Rookie of the Week one time.
At forward, the Profs also have veteran Jess Durnian (so. Brick, NJ/Brick) and newcomers Becca Labinger (fr. Aberdeen, NJ/Matawan Reg.) and Jaimie Bertoli (fr. Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills). In her first season, Durnian played in 10 games before missing the remainder of the season with injuries. Bertoli received All-Conference and All-County honors in high school.
“Erika has a nonstop work rate and is strong on the ball,” said Leacott. “We expect a lot from her this season. She is capable of taking over the offense. Erika had the best training camp of anyone. Jess is not 100 percent but she will go hard in the time she is on the field. Erika and Jess play well together and will both contribute. I expect Jess to have several assists.”
“Becca has shown a lot of promise in the preseason,” Leacott continued. “She is still learning our system and when she gets that down, Becca will be a good player for us.”
The midfield is anchored by captain Nina Fragoso (sr. Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Reg.). She contributed with 16 points and was the team’s assist leader with eight. In the NJAC, Fragoso was tied for fourth in assists. She was selected to the All-Conference second team.
“Nina is playing in a total different spot this season,” said Leacott. “She is running the midfield and will see more of the ball. We are putting our best players in positions to get the ball. Nina is a four-year player and she will run the show.”
Fragoso and Sakalsky are joined by veterans Michele Ercolano (sr. Emerson, NJ/Paramus Catholic) and Michelle Borghese (sr. Middletown, NJ/Middletown N.). Last year, Ercolano collected three points with one goal and one assist. The incoming class includes Carly Loverde (jr. Bayville, NJ/Central Reg.), Gabby Bannister (fr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown), Sherry Oller (so. Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) and Rachel Taylor (fr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest). A transfer from Ocean County College, Loverde compiled 17 points with two goals and 13 assists in 2011. She was a member of the All-County and All-Region teams.
“Michele (Ercolano) is a four-year player,” commented Leacott. “She came off the bench last year and has experience, which will help us in the long run. Carly brings a great pace to the field. She has a nonstop work rate.”
The Profs’ backfield consists of returning starters Deandra Turchi (jr. Turnersville, NJ/Paul VI), Miranda Donnian (jr. Sewell, NJ/Clearview Reg.) and Kayla Leahey (so. Keansburg, NJ/Warwick Valley (NY)). Turchi was selected a team captain. Last year, Donnian totaled six goals and three assists for 15 points. She was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week one time. Leahey registered two assists.
“The backs are the most experienced part of the team,” stated Leacott. “That is what you want if you are young. This year, we will be using a lot more people in the backfield.”
“Deandra is our leader on defense,” Leacott continued. “She has started the past two years and knows how to prepare for games. Miranda is a three-year starter. She can dominate in the air. Miranda understands what we are trying to do on defense better this season. She has the ability to attack out of the back. Kayla was a surprise for us last year. She is the best athlete on the team and picks up on things so easily. Kayla has a lot of experience and only gets better.”
Veterans Morgan Muracco (sr. Washington Twp., NJ/Paul VI), Chelsea Eckel (so. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) and Victoria Camera (so. Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton W.) will all see time on defense. Last season, Muracco was a midfielder. She chipped in with nine points and Camera added five. Rookie Danielle Macey (fr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) is expected to break into the lineup. Depth in the backfield will be supplied by veterans Leah Mascitti (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) and Allison Barker (so. Croydon, PA/Conwell-Egan Catholic) along with newcomers Brianna Adamson (fr. Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro), Jackie Herting (fr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson), Dana Silverblatt (fr. North Caldwell, NJ/West Essex Reg.), Danielle Williams (so. Kearny, NJ/Kearny) and Heather Roy (jr. Parlin, NJ/Sayreville).
“This year, we will be extremely athletic on the outside,” Leacott said. “Victoria and Chelsea are both extremely fast. They are picking up things quickly and bring a physical side to the defense. Danielle has had a good camp so far. She is tough for a freshman and when she acclimates to our system, she will see time.”
The Profs have returnee Maria Dorris (sr. Mantua, NJ/Clearview Reg.) in goal. Last season, she played in seven games and posted a 2-2 record. Dorris turned away 15 shots for a 78.9 save percentage. She had a 0.75 goals against average and one shutout. Dorris was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week one time. Her backup is Katina Anthony (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddon Twp.). A forward previously, Anthony has been converted to the goalkeeper position.
“Maria came on for us at the end of the year,” praised Leacott. “She started the last four games and has experience. The backs have great confidence in her ability. Katina stepped into the keeper role and filled the need without any hesitation. She is enjoying playing back there and is getting better by the day.”
Rowan was picked to finish third in the NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Defending conference champion The College of New Jersey was first with nine first place votes. Montclair State University followed second and had one first place vote. Richard Stockton College, the dark horse, was fourth and Kean University was in the fifth spot. William Paterson University and New Jersey City University were sixth and seven respectively. Rounding out the poll were Ramapo College, eighth, Rutgers-Camden, ninth and Rutgers-Newark, 10th.
“We want to keep our streak to the NCAA tournament alive,” stated Leacott. “We want to win the conference, make the national tournament and have a long run, which we have not been able to do. The conference is extremely strong. The College of New Jersey is at the table every year and Montclair State is a lot stronger than last season. The teams that are usually on the bottom have a chance to claim a tournament berth. It is going to be a fight because there are no easy games anymore.”
The women’s soccer team hosts Widener University in the home opener on Friday, August 31. The Profs then travel to Fredericksburg, VA for the University of Mary Washington Tournament. Rowan faces Guilford College (September 8) and Catholic University (September 9). Rowan plays its first conference contest at Rutgers-Camden on September 19. The Profs’ first NJAC home game is against New Jersey City University on September 22.
