Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Iona
Women's Soccer Heads To Iona On Saturday To Open 2011 Campaign
8.19.11 | Women's Soccer
Live Stats
PHILADELPHIA - First-year head coach Matt Gwilliam and the Temple women's soccer team get the 2011 season underway in New Rochelle, N.Y. on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they take on the Iona Gaels. To follow the game live, click on the link above.
The Owls are returning 16 players from last season's squad, including four seniors: Niki Conn, Samantha Farlow, Tiia Kuokka and Tara Murphy.
"The expectation of this program in 2011 is to compete from the start. We have an exciting blend of talent and experience here that the staff is planning on cultivating into a team that is going to surprise teams in the Atlantic 10. We have faith in this group to be an organized, aggressive team that has the quality to move up the table."
Conn leads the charge of upperclassmen after collecting Atlantic 10 Conference honorable mention for the second straight season.
“She's the type of striker coaches covet, great movement off the ball and a goalscorer's instinct," Gwilliam said. "Her ability to find the net is not in question."
Conn, along with junior Kate Yurkovic will be looked to lead the Owls offense this season after the two combined for more than half of the team's total scoring production.
“Kate and Jackie Krostek showed glimpses last year that can find ways to help this team score goals,” Gwilliam said. “We have faith in their abilities to provide our frontrunners with the service they need."
Gwilliam and his staff is also very excited to welcome freshman Jasmin Schweer from Switzerland. Schweer played in Swiss National League A, which is the highest league in Switzerland.
“She's a polished finisher, who we are hoping can help balance our attack,” Gwilliam said.
Senior Samantha Farlow will be serving as a team captain along with Conn and Yurkovic, while providing leadership to an Owls defense that secured three shutout victories for goalkeepers Murphy and junior Gillian Kacsuta in 2010.
"We have two very capable goalkeepers here at Temple,” Gwilliam said. “They both have experience playing at high club levels, as well as, matches in the Atlantic 10. The expectation here for both Tara and Gillian is to work to establish themselves as the No. 1," Gwilliam said.
Out of six newcomers to the program, five are defenders who will help bolster the Owls backfield. Casey Greco, Jourdan Brill, Karly O'Toole and Amanda Ward have transferred, who will also provide experience.
"It's exciting to add transfers to our roster,” Gwilliam said. “These players established themselves as Division I caliber players. Even though they are newcomers, they will be expected to make impacts from Day 1. Jourdan Brill, Karly O'Toole, and Amanda Ward know what the expectation is and have seen the formula for success. We are delighted to have them here knowing that they possess the quality and leadership skills this program needs to continue to develop."
The Gaels will be the first of five schools out of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference that the Owls will battle this season.
“We're looking forward to getting started here against Iona, which is a program very similar to ours,” Gwilliam said.
