Season Outlook
The Haverford College women’s soccer team earned a Centennial Conference playoff berth in 2007. The Fords dealt eventual conference champion Johns Hopkins its only conference loss a season ago. With seven starters returning in 2008 this season has the makings of something special.
Midfield
Senior Lauren Kibbe was the teams leading scorer a season ago. She netted six goals including three game-winners. Junior Molly Graepel will see time at midfield and forward in 2008. Graepel scored two goals and tallied five points as a sophomore. With the loss of Hana Rosen ’08 the Fords need to replace her 11 points (4G, 3A). A cast of freshman including Sarah Andrade, Nicole Lantz, Anna Rayne and Katie Van Akeen could all see time at midfield.
Forward
Senior Annie Turner amassed six points (2G, 2A) last season in 18 games played. Along with Graepel they will be counted on at forward to replace Ryan Hedrick’s ’08 nine points (3G, 3A). Michele Buonara returns after an injury as a freshman. Lantz and Van Akeen could also see time at forward.
Defense
The Fords strength this season is in their defense where they return three starters. Senior Rachel Pardini, junior Leslie Mainschein-Cline and sophomore Maura Schiefer will lead the defense. Pardini earned honorable mention All-Centennial Conference honors last season.
Goalkeeper
Senior Lindsay Festa, a three-year starter, returns after a junior season in which she earned second-team All-Centennial Conference honors. In 2007 she made 93 saves and registered six shutouts. She has a career goals against average of 0.90 and a school record 19 shutouts.
The Schedule
The Fords kicks off their 2008 slate in late August with their own tournament that includes Lynchburg (Va.) College, an NCAA Elite Eight team from last season’s national championship tournament. The Fords, in fact, play three squads this season that made it into the 2007 Elite Eight including The College of New Jersey and national runner-up Messiah (Pa.) College. In addition to their annual Centennial Conference opponents the women include Moravian (Pa.) College, yet another national tournament participant, among their non-conference opponents this fall.