August 30, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y. –The William Smith soccer team, led by Aliceann Wilber in her 23rd year with the College, carry high expectations for the 2002 season and are poised for yet another NCAA Tournament run. Losing five starters to graduation, the Herons will be a young and less experienced squad than in 2001. The talent however does not drop off as three All-Region players return for the Herons.

William Smith completed yet another successful year in 2001, capturing its fifth NCAA Regional in nine years, en route to a 17-2-1 record. Under the direction of Wilber, the Herons made a record-breaking 15th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, falling one win shy of the national semifinals.

Leading the way for the 2001 Herons at forward were Alyson Stachura (Pittsford Southerland/Pittsford, N.Y.) and Kristin Perrigo (Liverpool/Liverpool, N.Y.) combining for 25 goals. Both were awarded first-team All-UCAA honors as well as being named to the first-team Northeast Regional All-American team.

Midfielder Kristin Falzarano (Morristown/Morris Plains, N.J.) provided a spark to the Heron attack by providing nine assists on the year. Her playmaking ability earned her a first-team All-UCAA selection. Seniors Lauren Wendell (Cape Elizabeth/Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and Liz Dedrick (Horseheads/Erin, N.Y.) anchored the middle of the field for William Smith. Wendell contributed five goals while earning first-team All-UCAA honors. Caroline Miller (Nottingham/Syracuse, N.Y.) was a behind the scenes player, providing the Herons with a solid defense on the outside.

The back line for the Herons was phenomenal surrendering only 11 goals in 20 games. Anchoring the goal mouth was All-American Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Caledonia, N.Y.). Starting all 20 games, Cornwell pulled in 69 saves giving her a .863 save percentage. Playing in front of her were senior defenders Felicia Crump (Lawrenceville School/Marlboro, N.J.) and Summer Greiner (East Syracuse-Minoa/Kirkville, N.Y.). Crump and Greiner were both named to the first-team All-UCAA. Crump and Greiner also earned All-Region honors with Crump also being named first-team All-American.

The 2002 squad will be young but will be hard to stop as they have talented players through the middle and on the outsides in all thirds of the field. Leading the way up top will be seniors Stachura and Perrigo. Both players have the ability to put the ball in the back of the net when necessary as they combined for 10 game-winning goals in 2001. Senior Maria Paoff (East Syracuse-Minoa/East Syracuse, N.Y.), an intelligent player should see a lot of time up front as well. Sophomores Shelly Smith (G. Ray Bodley/Fulton, N.Y.) and Caroline Wenzell (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) and first-year Danya Michaels (Cape Elizabeth/Cape Elizabeth, Maine) should also contribute for the Herons in the final third. The targets will be key for the Herons this season as they represent the most experienced third of the field.

In the midfield opponents will face speed, skill, and strength. William Smith could feature various combinations in the middle. The talent level of all the players will allow Wilber create different mixtures of players according to the opponent. Junior college transfer Arin Belden (Warsaw/Warsaw, N.Y.) and first-year transfer, Laura Desobry (Walt Whitman/Bethesda, Md.) will both see time in the middle. Belden is smooth with the ball at her feet, and very difficult to knock off the ball. Desobry’s field vision and knowledge of the game will find her running on the flanks. Junior Stephanie Leveille (Ossining/Ossining, N.Y.) will provide depth to the midfield and up front. A tireless worker and physically strong player, Leveille is a threat on the ground and in the air. First-year Jamie Janowich (South Carroll/Sykesville, Md.) and sophomore Debbie Minarick (Wayne Valley/Wayne, N.J.) will contribute quality minutes for the Herons in the middle.

Wilber has a wide choice of players to choose from to run on the flanks. Sophomore, Christine Curry (Pittsfield/Pittsfield, Mass.), Minarick, Falzarano, and first-years Steph Gridley (Auburn/Auburn, N.Y.) and Katie Murley (Auburn/Auburn, N.Y.) will all see some time on the outside. Falzarano, a first-team All-UCAA selection in 2001, will be the leader in the midfield as she carries the most experience. Her speed on the outside will also pose a threat to opposing defenses. Curry played in all 20 games last season scoring three goals off the bench for the Herons. Her quickness on the outside will be important to the Heron attack.

The graduation of All-American Felicia Crump and All-Region selection Summer Greiner from a defense that only surrendered 11 goals in 2001 means the back line will have nearly an entirely new look in 2002. Wilber has a solid group of players who will step in to fill the shoes of Crump and Greiner. Cornwell, a First-Team All-American goalkeeper, will anchor the Heron defense. Her shot stopping ability and leadership will be important with such a young defense lining up in front of her. Senior Amy Pendergast (East Syracuse-Minoa/East Syracuse, N.Y.) will step into the center back role and provide leadership for her running mates. Junior Danielle Cornett (Potsdam/Potsdam, N.Y.), sophomores Jenn Tibbens (Sherburne-Earlville/Sherburne) and Christina Stevens (Swampscott/Swampscott, Mass.), and first-year players Seraphine Hamilton (The Peddie School/Trenton, N.J.) and Pria Young (Council Rock/Richboro, Pa.) will all battle for playing time in the back. Despite their youth, the players work hard and are blessed with speed to track opposing forwards.

William Smith faces a tough 2002 campaign hitting the road 10 times, including trips to regional powers Union, Rochester, and Ithaca.

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