Completed Event: Women's Soccer at St. John's on September 24, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1
Women's Soccer
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Providence College Athletics
Women's Soccer Season Preview
8/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 25, 2008
With six seniors leading an already experienced squad, the Providence College women's soccer team returns to the pitch for the 2008 season with a strong desire to succeed in the BIG EAST Conference. The Friars suffered through an injury plagued 2007 season, but Head Coach Jim McGirr has his team determined to win.
Up front, the Friars have an experienced forward line with seniors Victoria Neff (Fairfield, Conn.) and Kelly Pettersen (Massapequa, N.Y.). Juniors Jill Camburn (Doylestown, Pa.), Caitlin Hostetler (Portsmouth, R.I.), and Greta Houlihan (Belair, Md.) should help solidfy the Friar attack. Camburn, who during her first season led the Friars in goals with five and shots with 36, missed the majority of last season with an ankle injury. Hostetler recorded her first Friar goal at St. John's on October 28. Houlihan tallied her first goal as well last season and it proved to be the game winner against Rutgers on October 7. Sophomore Kylie Ricker (Leominster, Mass.) transferred to PC from Maryland this season and should be a strong contributor. Her classmate Jackie Pastor (Langhorne, Pa.) contributed strong minutes along the Friar front last season and will also be asked to contribute on defense. Also joining the squad this season is freshman Taylor Bartini (Suffield, Conn.), who scored 86 goals and had 43 assists during her high school campaign.
The PC midfield is anchored by a strong returning cast including sophomores Nicole Benko (Valley Stream, N.Y.) and Tara Ricciardi (Wayne, N.J.). Benko finished first on the team in shots last season with 24 and tied for first in assists with two. Ricciardi scored her first goal as a Friar last season in the victory over Pittsburgh on October 14. Sophomores Kate DelCiampo (Wethersfield, Conn.) and Lindsey Trubia (Mystic, Conn.) will also get significant playing time. Three freshmen join the Friar midfield and will be looked upon to make large contributions. Emily Castle (Stonington, Conn.) scored 14 goals and had 26 assists during her high school career and helped lead her teams to three state cups. Courtney Collins (North Wales, Pa.) was named to the First Team All-League squad on two occasions while scoring 24 goals and tallying 39 assists. Laura DiClemente (Blue Bell, Pa.) scored 30 goals and 58 assists while earning numerous honors, including All-Region and Southeastern PA First Team.
The Providence defensive front should be the strongest area on the pitch. The defense is led by seniors Christie Gent (Plantation, Fla.) and Megan Mancarella (Rochester, N.Y.). Gent has eight assists in her Friar career including two last season. Mancarella scored the game-tying goal against UMass last season, on September 2. Junior Katelin Blaine (Warwick, N.Y.) returns from a knee injury that kept her sidelined for the second half of last season and should solidify the back line. Sophomore Marra Whaley (Rocky Hill, Conn.) played extremely well last season for the Friars and recorded the game winning-goal against Hartford on September 14.
After losing starting goalkeeper Laura Elfers to graduation, the Friars will look for two new faces to step up between the posts. Sophomore Jill Schott (Windham, N.H.) appeared in one game for PC last season. She will be joined by freshman Caitlin Walker (Metuchen, N.J.) in goal.
With a healthy squad and high expectations, the Friars will look to join the BIG EAST elite this season. McGirr has brought in three strong recruiting classes and will start the 2008 season with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. The Providence College women's soccer team will open its 2008 season on Thursday, August 28 at Glay Field at 4:00 p.m. against Bryant University. The Friars will then take on Stony Brook at Glay on Sunday, August 31 at 1:00 p.m.
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