Jamie Janowich '06

August 26, 2003

GENEVA, N.Y.—After advancing to the NCAA Semifinals last season, the William Smith College soccer team is hoping for an encore performance this fall. Led by longtime Head Coach Aliceann Wilber, the Herons will start somewhat of a rebuilding process after a group of six seniors led the team to a 17-4-3 record. The loss of those players, five of which were starters, leaves some big shoes to fill for those returning this season, but a good crop of first-year students will give William Smith the depth it will need against a very tough schedule.

The Heron offense was led by three seniors in 2002. A first-team All-Region selection, Alyson Stachura (Pittsford Sutherland/Pittsford, N.Y.) led the team with 11 scores, while second-team All-UCAA honoree Maria Paoff (East-Syracuse Minoa/East Syracuse, N.Y.) contributed nine goals and four assists. Earning second-team All-America recognition, Kristin Falzarano (Morristown/Morris Plains, N.J.) added seven goals and six assists from the midfield.

Anchored by NSCAA Division III Player of the Year Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Scottsville, N.Y.) in goal, the William Smith defense held its opponents to just 16 goals on the season, including shutting out a Wheaton College team in the NCAA Quarterfinals that had scored 84 goals. Her presence in the net will be missed but with three of the starting defenders returning, the Herons are poised to be even tougher defensively this season.

The graduation of Stachura and Paoff means the Herons will have a completely new look up top. A trio of players will battle for the starting spots in the attack. Senior Kristin Perrigo (Liverpool/Liverpool, N.Y.) and sophomores Steph Gridley (Auburn/Auburn, N.Y.) and Laura Desobry (Walt Whitman/Bethesda, Md.) will all see quality minutes at the striker position.

An All-Region selection in 2001, Perrigo returns after missing last season due to injury and will be looked upon to provide a scoring punch for the Herons this season. Gridley and Desobry could split time between the outside midfield position and striker. Both strong with the ball at their feet, they will give William Smith a dangerous attack either as forwards or running along the sidelines.

Sophomore Jamie Janowich (South Carroll/Sykesville, Md.) should start on the flank. Possessing a great first touch and good technical skills, she should have an immediate impact in the midfield this season. Junior Caroline Wenzel (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) could earn some time on the outside as well. Her speed and quickness will create matchup difficulties for opposing defenses. First-year Stephanie Bishop (F.D. Roosevelt/Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) could also see time running on the outside for the Herons.

There are various possible combinations in the center of the field. Junior Debbie Minarick (Wayne Valley/Wayne, N.J.) and senior Stephanie Leveille (Ossinning/Ossinning, N.Y.) will both see significant time in the middle of the park. Playing in all 24 games last season, Minarick broke into the starting lineup late last season, proving to be instrumental in the Herons’ run to the semifinal round. A hard-working and gritty player, Leveille is a strong defensive midfielder who possesses good vision to serve a quality ball into the attack third.

First-year Alexandra Rieben (Guilford/Guildford, Conn.) has the potential to make an impact in the center of the field for the Herons. An offensive minded midfielder, she comes to William Smith after leading Guilford to its third consecutive league title in 2002.

The backline will have a familiar look with three starters returning. Sophomore Seraphine Hamilton (The Peddie School/Trenton, N.J.) and junior Jenn Tibbens (Sherburne-Earlville/Sherburne, N.Y.) will anchor the middle. Strong on the ball, Hamilton will be a presence after having a good rookie season, while Tibbens’s speed and ability to read the game will force opponents to attack from the outside. However, they will run into problems there as well with Pria Young (Council Rock/Richboro, Pa.) manning the outside back spot. Sophomore Katie Murley (Auburn/Auburn, N.Y.) and first-year Ashley Kent will battle for the final starting spot in the back.

With the graduation of goalkeepers Cornwell and Melissa Buonvecchio (East-Syracuse Minoa/Syracuse, N.Y.), William Smith will have a new face in the net this season. First-year Nikki Dudley (Chittenango/Canastota, N.Y.) should start in the net, but will be challenged by both Brittany Malchano (Pine-Richland/Gibsonia, Pa.) and Elizabeth Orofino (The Branson School/Mill Valley, Calif.).

Ranked fourth in the 2003 NSCAA/adidas preseason poll the Herons open the season at home on Sept. 3, when they host Geneseo at 4 p.m. The following weekend William Smith will host 13th-ranked NYU and Oswego in the annual Heron Cup. The Herons also will match up with traditionally strong programs in 20th-ranked Denison, 21st-ranked Rochester, 24th-ranked Union, Ithaca, and Nazareth this season.

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