August 25, 2008

2008 Season Preview: Malone Women’s Soccer Looks To Continue Winning Ways Under New Head Coach

The Malone College women’s soccer team may have a new head coach this season, in first-year mentor Leta Gramlich, but the squad continues to exude the same winning attitude that has carried it to nine consecutive winning campaigns.  Gramlich, a 2004 Malone graduate and four-year starter for Pioneer women’s soccer, will lead a program that posted a 12-6-3 record in 2006 and a 9-8 overall mark (3-4 AMC North) last season.  While the ’06 team advanced to the NAIA region semifinals, last year’s squad finished fourth among eight in the American Mideast Conference North Division, just one spot out of postseason competition.  It is Gramlich’s hope to get back to the postseason in ’08 as she leads a group of 16 women, half of whom are returning players, against some outstanding competition yet again in 2008.
 
Leading the way for the ’08 team are three outstanding returnees, all seniors, who either accounted for a big chunk of the scoring or were a big part of the Pioneer defense a year ago.  Senior forward Aleesha Denmeade (N. Canton Hoover H.S.), a team captain, should again be the driving force for the Malone offense this year as she returns after scoring a team-best 13 goals last year.  With six assists as well last year, her 32 total points accounted for 1/3 of the team’s total in ’07.  “Aleesha is our go-to person and we’ll be counting heavily on her again this year,” said Gramlich.

Another captain, senior midfielder Ashley Dennerlein (Baden, PA) is another mainstay who will play at an outside midfield position according to Gramlich.  She scored three goals and had five assists last season.  “She’s another solid player for us who will play a key role in how successful we are,” commented Gramlich.
 
Senior goalkeeper Marisa Salazar (San Jose, CA), an ’07 All-AMC North and NCCAA East Honorable Mention selection, is also back to lead a Pioneer defense that gave up just 1.5 goals per game last year.  “Marisa is in her second year now at Malone after transferring in (from West Valley Junior College, CA) and she will again be holding down the fort for us on defense,” said Gramlich.  “She was part of a group of keepers who posted six shutout wins for us last year and we expect her to do more of the same this season.”
 
Two sophomore returnees who will provide strength to the team are midfielder Katie Heckman (Mars, PA) and defender Vanessa Schmidt (Lake H.S.).  Heckman, an All-AMC North Second Team and NCCAA East Honorable Mention recipient, posted two goals and two assists as a freshman starter while Schmidt, an All-AMC North Honorable Mention who also started, was an anchor on the Pioneer defensive line.  “Katie played every game last year and she’ll be back at the center mid spot again to be a playmaker for us,” said Gramlich.  “And Vanessa, who also played in every contest, will again be a leader on defense for us.”
 
Other solid returnees for Malone include Vana Morgan (Sr., West Branch H.S.) and Joanna Terry (So., Chillicothe H.S.).  “Vana will play at center mid and is a physical presence for us,” said Gramlich, “and she’ll help us control the game that way…And Joanna will see most of her playing time on defense.”  Another excellent returnee, although not from last year but from the ’06 campaign as a freshman, is sophomore defender Danielle Plaisted (Butler, PA) who Gramlich expects to be a solid contributor.
 
Eight newcomers dot this year’s roster including the top freshmen trio of Susanna Jonkka (Helsinki, Finland), Jessica Rodden (Fr., Springdale, PA) and Ashley Doleresco (Fr., Waterloo H.S.).  “Susanna has some experience on international teams for Finland (U-16, U-17) and will play at the center mid for us,” said Gramlich.  “Jessica and Ashley came to us through open tryouts and are solid players who will split time at midfield and defense.”
 
Also joining the ’08 team is defender Shauna Kemp (Rochester, NY), who played for Malone several years ago as a freshman but who is now a senior academically, midfielder Sarah Kenney (Beverly, MA), who is a first-year player but also an academic senior, and the freshmen trio of Dylan Walker (defender, Minerva H.S.), Samantha McConville (midfielder, Louisville H.S.) and Brittany Miller (midfielder, Worthington H.S.).
 
“We have experienced players on the field who have played at a high level and who have done well in postseason,” said Gramlich.  “We need to rely on that strength to bring others along.  We don’t have individual standouts especially but just a strong team and it’s that team unity that will be a strength for us this year…But because of our small roster size, we need to be mindful of injuries and take care of ourselves.  We won’t be able to play really direct but rather we’ll need to slow the pace.  But we’re all excited for what will hopefully be a successful season.”
 
Gramlich has already seen a great deal of alumni support, likely because an alum of the College is back leading the program.  “People have called and said they’re thinking about us and will be cheering us on,” said Gramlich.  “It’s great that we have the opportunity to be in this spot and I hope to make the most of it.”
 
Malone will open its season on August 29-30 at a tournament at the University of St. Francis (IN).  Malone will play St. Francis on Friday (6:00 p.m.) and Bethel (IN) College on Saturday (12:00 p.m.).  The Pioneers’ first home contest is set for Saturday, September 6th at 3:30 p.m. vs. Daemen (NY) College. 
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