Women's Soccer Seeks to Soar on Pitch in Fall

Third year head coach Bobby Desilets has built up the Newbury women's soccer program since his arrival in 2009. Each of the last two seasons, he has guided them to the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) post-season and 2011 appears as if it is not going to be any different.

In Coach Desilets tenure at Newbury, the program's has seen an increase of scoring opportunities while limiting the number of goals from opposing institutions which is a trend they seek to continue this fall. From 2009 to 2010, the program has seen their greatest offensive increase, finding the back of the net 19 more times than they did in the previous season – 42 goals in 2010 compared to just 23 in 2009.

2010 In Review

In her first year, forward Briana Tomaselli became Newbury's all-time single-season leader in goals and points per game registering a conference-leading 22 goals and 45 points in 2010 to earn NECC Rookie of the Year honors. Finding the back of the net 12 times against conference opponents, she pushed the Nighthawks to their second straight post-season berth as the fifth seed with a 4-3-1 NECC record.

Tomaselli was not the only player to garner conference recognition. Tri-captain Jessica Graus earned All-NECC Honorable Mention honors appearing in all 18 games, registering 16 points on the season with five goals.  Her hard work and combative style doesn't always show up in statistics but is one of the main reasons behind the dramatic improvement in Newbury's success.

2011 Outlook

Goalkeepers:

Playing the last three seasons for the Nighthawk mainly as a field player, senior tri-captain Rachel Wyszynski will step in net in 2011. Wyszynski is no stranger to the position. In her three year career at Newbury, she has played five games in goal, registering a total of 51 saves.

Defense:

Juniors Jasmine James and Nicole Boyer return for their third season at Newbury and will anchor the backline along with sophomore Alishya Anselmo who had a solid freshman season last year. The returning upperclassmen defenders will be joined by a freshman All-State defender from Coventry, R.I., Kristina Almeida, who will have an immediate impact on the Nighthawks defense in 2011.  

Midfielders:

Jessica Graus returns for her senior campaign on the pitch.  Jamie Tannura started all 18 games for the Nighthawks with one goal last season, will be back for her junior year.  Desilets is set to welcome three impact freshmen with Kelsey Landry (Milford, NH) Jamie Chernesky (Glenville, NY) and Alexis Benton (Philadelphia, PA) all expected to contribute in 2011.

Forwards:

At the start of her sophomore season, Tomaselli is just five goals shy of 2011 graduate Ashley Greene-Allen for the all-time Newbury goals record (27). Alongside Tomaselli, Ashleigh Guy returns for her junior year to give the Nighthawks a lethal attack. Guy had an impressive freshman year scoring 7 goals.  Juniors Tianna Dimaria and Nicole Garafalo will also see time at forward in addition to playing in the midfield.

- Photo by: Samantha Yanofsky