SU Women’s Soccer Begins A New Era

SYRACUSE, NY -- The Orange experienced major change heading into the 2004 season. Gone is head coach April Kater who built the program from scratch in 1996. Patrick Farmer, a veteran coach who has had success at every level of soccer, steps in to fill the void. He will have a solid base from which to start as the Orange has boasted an 88-51-8 record and two NCAA appearances in the program’s first nine seasons.

“It is always my overall goal to get to the conference and NCAA Tournaments,” Farmer said.

Farmer is no stranger to success himself. A two-time national coach of the year honoree, he has turned programs into perennial powers at every stop in his coaching career, including producing two national championship winning teams at Division III Ithaca and building Penn State, a school that had no women’s soccer program prior to Farmer’s arrival, into a national title contender. During his career, Farmer also spent a season at Tennessee Tech and spent two seasons as the head coach of the New York Power in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA).

Farmer will have plenty to work with as the Orange return seven starters and 19 letterwinners from last year’s team that went 9-8-1 overall. Five of the top seven scorers are back, including last year’s top offensive threat Nina Scalzo. The senior led the team with six goals, five assists and 17 points. The back line is anchored by seniors Sarah Elnicky and Courtney Spencer along with junior Brooke DeRosa. In goal, the Orange has two players who combined to start 17 of the 18 contests last season. Junior Emily Kowalczyk returns after starting 13 times as a sophomore. Senior Shannon Myers returns after suffering a season-ending injury last season. Before getting hurt, Myers had a 1.08 GAA and two shutouts in five games. Several newcomers also join the mix which should help the Farmer Era get off to a fast start.

“Overall, our expectations have been raised because we have 13 seniors. That experience should help us as we go through our schedule,” Farmer said. “The BIG EAST and NCAA Tournaments are definitely in our capabilities this season.”

Forwards

The SU offense will be bolstered by an experienced and talented group of frontrunners. Of the nine forwards listed on the Orange roster, six are seniors, one is a junior, one is a sophomore and one is a freshman. Scalzo will be relied on to put up the numbers that have become a hallmark of her career. After three seasons, Scalzo ranks fourth at SU in career goals (24) and points (61). She is also sixth all-time with 13 assists. Shana Thomas is in her second season with the Orange after transferring from Monroe C.C. Thomas tallied five goals and an assist in her first season with the Orange. Another transfer, senior Helen Fox, is also expected to put up big offensive numbers. Fox, a co-captain this season, scored seven points in her first season with the Orange. Senior Natalie Galas scored two goals and had three assists coming mostly off the bench last season. Sophomore Molly McManus notched two assists in her first season and was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team. . Senior Christine LeMieux also joins the forward rotation after sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules. LeMieux began her career at SU then transferred to UC Irivine before returning to Syracuse last season. Rookie Lauren Jentzen could contribute right away. Jentzen, an all-state selection from Marshfield High School (Mass.), set school single-season records with 32 goals and 19 assists in 2003. She is also Marshfield’s career record-holder in goals (59) and assists (31).

“Scalzo is, obviously, a great scorer and Thomas is lightning fast,” Farmer said. “Molly has been very confident and has great pace and left-footed service. Lauren is quick and hard to keep track of.”

Midfielders

The midfield unit is also experienced with three seniors, a junior and a freshman. Senior Stephanie Sybert is the top returning scorer from the midfield with three goals last season. Senior Kellie Bailie, another Monroe C.C. transfer, is back for her second season with the Orange after posting a goal and two assists in 2003. Junior Sheila Menz played in 10 games last season, starting four times, while senior Talia Andrews-Rankin sat out last season due to injury. The rookie of the group is Jen Taorminia, a local product from Liverpool High School. The 2003 Central New York Player of the Year recorded five goals and nine assists as a senior and tallied 23 career goals and 36 career assists. Fox is also an option in the midfield. According to coach Farmer, there is a lot of competition for all the starting spots.

“Kellie has been playing very well and has shown she can be a great scorer from the right side,” Farmer said.

Defenders

Six players return from last season’s defensive unit that boasted a 1.40 goals against average and six shutouts. Elnicky, a co-captain this season, was one of four players to start all 18 games in 2003, while Spencer played in 17 games with 10 starts. DeRosa split time between the back line and the midfield last season, playing in 16 games with 11 appearances in the starting lineup. Junior Jenna Richter and senior Ariane Kaminsky saw limited action last season. Senior Sandi Chmielewski missed the entire season with an injury. The back was the most heavily recruited position with three newcomers joining the mix. Freshman Jillian Maslyn, a two-time honorable mention all-state pick at Hayfield High School (Va.), scored 41 goals and tallied 23 assists during her career. Rookie Crystal Thune, a four-year player at W.T. Woodson High School (Va.), was a 2002 Washington Post All-Liberty District second-team honoree and All-Met honorable mention. Sophomore Chelsea Tracy-Bronson joined the team last spring. The Whitney Point High School (N.Y.) product was named to the Susquenango Association Second Team in 1999 and was a first-team choice in 2000. Menz is also capable of playing in the back.

“Elnicky will anchor this unit and finding the right mix with her will come through our preseason workouts,” Farmer said.

Goalkeepers

The Orange has two experienced goalkeepers that should help keep opponents off the scoreboard. Kowalczyk started all 13 games she played in, registering 49 saves, three shutouts and a 1.62 goals against average. Myers has played in 33 career games and owns 10 shutuouts. The senior ranks third at SU in career saves (153), save percentage (.785), shutouts (10) and goals-against average (1.36). There is one newcomer to the group, freshman Candy Hofmann from Marcellus High School (N.Y.). Hofmann helped Marcellus to the sectional, regional and state championships as a senior. She was a two-time all-league selection.

“Both goalkeepers are healthy and competing well, this position will not be decided until very late,” Farmer said.

Schedule

The 2004 schedule boasts nine teams that made it to last year’s NCAA postseason. The season kicks off on August 27 with a non-conference home game versus Fairleigh Dickinson. The BIG EAST portion of the slate starts on September 17 when the Orange host St. John’s. The early season schedule also features a trip to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan and Oakland University. Other non-conference contests include road games at Buffalo, Albany and Princeton, and home games with Colgate, Dartmouth and Cornell. The BIG EAST schedule has road contests at West Virginia, Rutgers, Georgetown, Providence and Boston College, along with home games versus Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Seton Hall. The Orange must play its final four regular-season contests on the road.

“Key games are Notre Dame and UConn, they are always top teams in the preseason polls,” Farmer said. “As we go through this schedule, we will get a feeling as to how good we can be.”

Syracuse University Athletics

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