Following a 2009 season that saw the Pioneers compile a 13-7-3 record and win the ECAC Metro Region Tournament title, the William Paterson women's soccer team has reason to believe that it is capable of even bigger things this fall.

“With nine starters returning, we have a solid group of veterans who have the experience of a championship season,” said 2009 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Co-Coach of the Year Keith Woods. “Plus, we are pretty excited about our group of newcomers, who have done some nice things this preseason and should complement our returnees well.”

FORWARDS
Three proven goal scorers should energize the Pioneers' attack this fall.

Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury) came on strong at the end of her freshman year, scoring eight of her team-leading 10 goals over the final six matches. Included in that streak were all three game-winning scores to help the Pioneers win the ECAC title and earn herself the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Marabondo was one half of a potent one-two punch with Megan Droelle (Hampton, N.J./North Hunterdon), who collected 15 points (6 g, 3 a) en route to securing second-team all-NJAC laurels as a sophomore newcomer.

After collecting three goals and four assists as a freshman, Sophie Hart-Ruderman (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia) got off to a fast start to her sophomore year, finding the back of the net twice during the 2009 season's first four matches. However, an injury cut her year short, but she has returned to the pitch this fall and is ready to get back on the scoreboard.

Looking to break into the lineup is freshman Sheray Anthony (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West), a first-team all-conference pick as a high school senior.

MIDFIELDERS
The Pioneers will have a few gaps to shore up in the midfield this season, but have a deep pool of talented options from which to choose.

An honorable-mention all-league pick a year ago, senior Kathleen Maggi (New Milford, N.J./New Milford) returns to the central midfield after stating all 23 matches and producing two goals and three assists in 2009.

Junior Heidi Rogers (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) will contend for time in the middle of the pitch, a year after starting 10 of 21 matches and posting five points (2 g, 1 a). She will compete with a trio of freshmen in Kelly Garrido (Brick, N.J./Brick Twp.), Julia Siersema (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Borough) and Jessica Skowronski (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford).

On the outside, a pair of starters return in sophomore Laela Brock (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), who tallied two goals and four assists, and senior Samantha Pena (Ogdensburg, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional). Junior Jessica Bertoli (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) has returned after being forced to the sideline last fall with an injury, and will compete with sophomore Casey McGuigan (Hightstown, N.J./Robbinsville) and freshman Nicole Sullivan (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) to break into the lineup.

BACKS
All four back-line starters return for William Paterson, making the Pioneer defense a potential strength during the 2010 campaign.

Three defenders earned all-league laurels a year ago, led by second-team center back Ali Ruddy (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley). Second for WP as a junior with 16 points (6 g, 4 a), she will share the captain responsibilities with fellow senior Vikki Cicak (Wharton, N.J./Morris Knolls), a two-time member of the All-NJAC Honorable Mention Team who has produced seven goals and a pair of assists in 57 career starts.

Junior Ashley Grabowski (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) is again expected to fill the role of stopper, one year after her four points (1 g, 2 a) in 22 starts were enough to make her an honorable-mention all-league pick. Rounding out the group of returnees is junior Jessica Francisco (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan), a starter in all 23 matches last fall.

Junior Kristina Laureigh (Lanoka Harbor, N.J./Lacey Twp.), a transfer from Ocean County College, is expected to play significant minutes thanks to her quickness and toughness. Freshman Taylor Zabicki (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan), a two-time all-county honoree, also will be in the mix in the defensive third.

GOALKEEPERS
The biggest change for the Pioneers will be in the goal after the loss of three-year starter Meaghan Baker.

Two freshmen have been staging a good battle for the starting job throughout camp. Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) may be slightly more technically-sound than classmate Mary Jane Seiler (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville), but the competition between the two was interrupted when Seiler suffered an injury during preseason workouts.

“Obviously, we are going to be young in goal this year,” said Woods. “They will need to gain game experience quickly, but they will have a very experienced defense in front of them, so that should help their transition to the college level.”