By Michael Battista
Sports Editor
With the fall semester starting, the College’s women’s soccer team is making its final adjustments before their first match on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at home against Gettysburg College.
After the team’s loss last year to Montclair State in the NJAC Tournament final, and their loss to Williams College in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, the Lions are looking to bounce back with a strong regular season. They also hope to make an impact at this year’s TCNJ Adidas Classic, with their first match against SUNY Oneonta on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Coach Joe Russo and his squad posted an impressive 18-3-1 record last year and hope both returning and new players can keep up the stellar performance.
Besides practicing, some of the Lions made a trip to the Great White North earlier this summer in hopes of seeing the United States Women’s National Soccer team compete for the World Cup.
Team members from years past, including former goalie Kendra Griffith (’15) and Kate Landrigan (’13) joined current players and staff on the trip, to see the U.S. beat Germany 2-0 on their way to the finals, where they later beat Japan 5-2, capturing their third World Cup.
Sophomore marketing major, defender Christina Stabile told tcnj.edu that the entire experience was incredible.
“The American spirit was contagious,” she said. “Seeing that game in person was nothing compared to watching it on a screen. The fans, the food, being with my teammates and the atmosphere all contributed to an incredible experience.”
Back home, the Lions now have the large task of trying to mold their own team into championship caliber.
The team has a large class of new freshmen all vying to be on the field, including Kelly Gallagher of Annandale, N.J. (Raritan Valley), who is hoping to get a spot as one of the team’s goalies. Another hopeful is Kate Galgano of Toms River, N.J. (Toms River North), who is one of two new freshmen hoping to get a spot as a forward on the team.
The final roster will be made before the first ball is kicked, meaning a lot of tension for these students who already have the normal difficulties a new college student has.
