Michelle Berthiaume
Equinox Staff
The Keene State College women’s soccer team describe their upcoming 2011 season with one key word: rebuilding.
Coach Denise Lyons rebuilt her roster this offseason after KSC lost all-time scoring leader, Katie Bradford, to graduation, and four other starters from last year.
“It’s tough to expect anyone to fill the gap. Bradford was a great leader, goal scorer and role model. But you have what you have and you need to work with it,” Coach Lyons said.
Lyons said she also struggled with replacing two outside forwards that graduated, Norah Mahoney and Leah Teter. Lyons said Mahoney and Teter were 90-minute players that had natural speed and skills and will be tough to replace.
The loss of Bradford seemed to be difficult for everyone on the team.
“Whenever I punted the ball, I would always look for her because she was so tall and such a big target out there,” goalkeeper Megan Dempsey said.
Picking up the slack is a must for this team if they want to win. The team seems confident they will be able to make up for the loss of Bradford, but stress the difficulty of the situation.
“She was so good at creating scoring opportunities and keeping the ball out of our end and in the other team’s end. That is going to be something that we will all miss, especially me,” Dempsey said.
The Owls are led this season by their goalkeeper, Dempsey. Dempsey led the Little East Conference in shut outs last season with nine. She said she hopes to see a lot of the same things out of this team as she did last year.
“We just have to work hard at practice. Then take those things onto the field,” Dempsey said. “I have to make sure I work with the defenders and that we are all on the same page out there.”
Dempsey stressed her communication with her defense was a big part of her overall game.
Dempsey also emphasized the need to stay confident, no matter how the game was playing out. Coach Lyons said she has great confidence in Dempsey.
“Meg is unbelievable. Her leadership out there is a great thing to have. And she is someone that the whole team relies on. I am expecting a lot from her this season,” Coach Lyons said.
Coach Lyons said she couldn’t be happier with Megan Dempsey and her co-captains, Melissa Dempsey and Sia Karamourtopoulos.
“The captains really are doing a great job so far this season. They are really stepping up,” Coach Lyons said. “They were selected unanimously by their teammates and I would have picked the same three players.”
Lyons said they each brought something different to the table. The Owls also lost two of their all-Little East Conference (LEC) defenders, Shannon and Bridget Hennessey. The twin sisters decided not to return for their senior season.
“I really had to focus on school. I am graduating in December and I recently picked up a second minor. Also, the constant travel just really took a toll on me,” Shannon Hennessey said.
Replacing the Hennessey twins seemed to be a nearly impossible task at the beginning of the season, but some players helped fill the void by stepping up and even switching positions.
Kelsie Bailey moved back to sweeper while Brittany Croteau stepped up to fill the stopper position. Erin Griffin, a forward on last year’s team, moved to left back to close the gap a little more.
Shannon Hennessey complimented the coach on her ability to recruit specifically to make up for losses.
“Denise does a really good job of filling that gap and knowing what the team needs. I’m sure the transition will be a little shaky, but they will adjust just fine,” Hennessey said.
Lyons said the two sisters not returning this season was a disappointment. Lyons said replacing them would be hard but she said she has faith her team this year can handle it.
“We are like a giant jigsaw puzzle, we just need to put the pieces in the right places,” Lyons said.
Lyons said in addition to rebuilding, another key word for this season is expectations. The Lady Owls have quite the reputation to uphold.
Last year’s team ended the season with a 17-6-2 record and defended the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) title for the second year in a row. Lady Owl fans will certainly see a different team on the field this year, but they need to stay optimistic about the future.
“Our goal is to win the Little East Conference, but we are a long way from that now. We are a good team with a great work ethic, we just really need to find the right match and make sure we get out there,” Lyons said.
The team said they are excited for the coming year.
Overall, they said they are looking forward to getting back on the field. They said they are eager and willing to do whatever it takes to get the wins this season and that is always important. Dempsey said the team is exceptionally excited for a few games this year.
“The game against Amherst College will be great. We played a great game against them last year and beat them in overtime and they will definitely be looking for revenge,” Dempsey said. Lyons also stated how excited she is for every game this season.
“We have to look forward to every game. Especially in the Little East Conference,” Lyons said. “We have a very tough road ahead of us and we need to come out every game ready to play if we want to win.”
And this team has given every indication that is what they want no matter what.
Michelle Berthiaume can be contacted at mberthiaume@ksc.mailcruiser.com
Party Bus Rental Philadelphia
JA-
QuickBooks Hosting
Hey. I recently ran into the page while browsing Yahoo . Ive bookmarked it. Ill definitely return. Furthermore, maybe you have seen the fresh Twilight movie yet? I am aware this is certainly off topic. I need to pass by Red Box and acquire it tonight. Its great. See ya.
burger king menu
I like the helpful information you provide within your articles. Let me bookmark your weblog and appearance again here regularly. I will be quite certain Let me learn plenty of new stuff below! Enjoy for one more!
search engine optimization
I value this informative blog. Im looking for search engines just for this style of info finally got a powerful one. This will aid in what We are considering regarding my research for my personal college task.
QuickBooks
Safe and Natural Skin Whitening Products will effectively whiten skin without the harmful chemicals.
Lashon Hanns
That was type of inspiring! Totally unpredicted. Now I know what I’m going to perform tomorrow 🙂
play heli attack 3
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting.
Scrapebox
Wow! The useless posts at this point is rampant. How could you get caught up with most of these opinions?
sonic producer review
Many thanks for talking some sense! This is I’m hoping everybody has got the point youre making here. I really didn’t know on some of the things you mentioned earlier, thanks!
search engine optimisation kent
You have brought up a very great points , appreciate it for the post.
Eldridge Hausteen
This weblog is great. There’s often all the proper information and facts at the guidelines of my fingers. Thank you and keep up the great work!
government debt relief program
“I’ve gone ahead and bookmarked http://keene-equinox.com/?p=855 at Digg.com so my friends can see it too. I simply used KSC women’s soccer must ‘rebuild’ after key departures | The Equinox as the entry title in my Digg.com bookmark, as I figured if it is good enough for you to title your blog post that, then you probably would like to see it bookmarked the same way
free slot machines
I image this could be numerous upon the written content? on the other hand I still believe that it may be appropriate for virtually any form of topic subject material, as a result of it might steadily be pleasing to determine a heat and delightful face or possibly pay attention a voice while initial landing.
avanti compact refrigerators
Quite! This was a really great submit. Thanks for ones furnished data.
are debt relief companies legitimate
Nice! Just wanted to respond. I thoroughly loved your post. Keep up the great work.
watch easy a online for free
You are my inspiration , I have few blogs and rarely run out from to brand.
watch hall pass online
I’ve learn a few excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you place to create one of these wonderful informative website.
watch i am number four online
I think you have noted some very interesting points , thankyou for the post.
Real Estate Lewes Delaware
Anyhow, after completing the task of flat spinning a compact grocery getter down this embankment and mowing down multiple innocent white-trash decorations, while spinning through the well-manicured grass (did I mention it had been raining for a few days?), the care came to a lurching stop in the center of the yard, with no damage whatsoever!
search engine optimisation kent
Absolutely written written content, Really enjoyed looking at.
search engine optimisation kent
Really superb information can be found on blog.
creampie escort
Real glorious information will be found on website here.
Carita Silverstone
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like ‘Mixview’ that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune “Social” is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
Dorsey Trovato
This blog is good. There is generally all of the ideal information at the suggestions of my fingers. Thanks and keep up the excellent work!
QuickBooks Hosting
Only another 50 percent the post is displaying, strange, are these claims my net browser and the website?
porn tube
Hey, just looking around some blogs, seems a pretty nice platform you are using. I’m currently using WordPress for a few of my sites but looking to change one particular of them over to a platform similar to yours as a trial run. Anything in particular you would recommend about it?
Coral Springs growth hormone therapy
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for! debt relief
hooker voyeur
I like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll.
scrapebox list
Between me and my husband we’ve owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.
sex article directory
I can see that you just are putting a lots of efforts into your blog page. Maintain posting the great function.Some really helpful data in there. Bookmarked. Nice to see your website. Thanks!
sex blog network
Fantastic things from you, man. Ive examine your stuff before and youre just too awesome. I love what youve acquired here, love what youre saying and the way you say it. You make it entertaining and you still manage to preserve it sensible. I cant wait to go through more from you. This really is really a great blog site.
sex web profile
his will be the ideal blog for any person who desires to learn about this subject. You recognize so much its nearly difficult to argue with you (not that I really would want…HaHa). You undoubtedly place a new spin on a subject thats been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
Mens Shoes
It sounds like you are creating troubles by yourself by trying to solve this concern as a substitute of looking at why their is often a problem to begin with
king web article
Merely, admirable what you’ve got done here. It truly is pleasing to look you express from the heart and your clarity on this important content material may be easily looked. Remarkable publish and will appear forward in your future update.