Thanks to the return of 10 starters and 15 letterwinners from a 2007 team that compiled an 8-9-1 overall record and a 3-6 mark in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play, the 2008 William Paterson women's soccer team is poised to return to the forefront of the league standings.

Seven of the top eight scorers, all three starting backs and both goalkeepers are back for the Pioneers, plus an infusion of fresh talent in the form of 10 newcomers, giving 12th-year head coach Keith Woods the ingredients to form a successful, cohesive team this fall.

“This group has gelled together very quickly,” Woods stated. “Our nine seniors have really taken the newcomers under their wings. There has been a real workman-like attitude during the preseason, and they have gotten right down to work to get ready for our first game.”

FORWARDS
William Paterson has proven threats up front in the attack, no one more so than senior and 2007 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year Amanda Kurdyla (Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls). Kurdyla has carried the offensive load for the Pioneers for three seasons, a fact evidenced by her school-record 50 career goals and 114 points. She gained a running mate last season in Drea Wagoner (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley), who was second for WP with 16 points (six goals, four assists) as a freshman despite coming off the bench in all 18 matches.

Freshman Sophie Hart-Ruderman (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia) had an excellent preseason camp, and she will compete for time along with classmates Heidi Rogers (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) and Nicole Struyk (Allendale, N.J./Eastern Christian).

MIDFIELDERS
The 2008 Pioneers will field one of their deepest and most talented groups of midfielders in several years. In the center are returning starters senior Kelly Bray (Whippany, N.J./Whippany Park) and junior Sam Giancola (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan), as well as senior Samantha Flynn (Lindenwold, N.J./Lindenwold), who moves back after starting all 18 matches at forward last year. Adding depth in the middle will be sophomore Ali Ruddy (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley), who started 11 of 12 matches a year ago before suffering an injury.

Senior Alyssa Tinari (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan), a starter in 38 of 54 career matches, and sophomore Vikki Cicak (Wharton, N.J./Morris Knolls), who collected eight points (2 g, 4 a) in 17 starts last fall, are expected to see the majority of minutes on the outside. Senior Amanda Fabiano (Clifton, N.J./Clifton), a starter in 51 career matches, could contribute either in the back or the midfield. Sophomores Margie Alfano (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) and Kathleen Maggi (New Milford, N.J./New Milford), as well as freshmen Jessica Bertoli (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) and Ashley Grabowski (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge), will also compete to earn significant playing time this year.

BACKS
William Paterson's starting back line returns intact from last year, with three experienced seniors ready to lead the defensive effort. Third-team all-region and first-team all-NJAC selection Natale Buongiorno (Northvale, N.J./Northern Valley-Old Tappan) has become one of the team leaders after starting 49 times in 50 career appearances, and will occupy the center of the line. Alyssa George (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Knolls) on the right and Dana Bertoli (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) on the left are both no-nonsense players who work hard and lead by example.

Freshman Jessica Francisco (Manalapan, N.J./Manalpan) impressed during the Pioneers' preseason scrimmage, and will battle with junior Michelle Ventura (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) and freshmen Katie DiPaolo (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) and Ashley Weinstein (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) to contribute in a reserve capacity.

GOALKEEPERS
A pair of game-tested veterans in senior Caitlin Kiernan (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) and junior Meaghan Baker (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Knolls) will give the Pioneers a sense of confidence between the posts. Kiernan has twice battled back from knee injuries to compile a career 1.26 goals-against average. Baker, who transferred to WP from Kean a year ago, stepped in last year and started 11 of 18 matches, posting a 1.36 GAA and two shutouts.