Aug. 26, 1999

In her first season at the helm of the Villanova women's soccer program in 1997, head coach Ann Clifton helped lead the Wildcats to a Big East Tournament berth. Last season, Clifton and the 'Cats started the season slowly. Villanova could not be held down for long, however, as it won five of its last seven contests to vault itself into the conference tournament for the fifth time in six seasons.

Leading the Wildcats to a spot among the Big East's elite were a group of savvy veterans and a handful of youngsters who quickly made a name for themselves in one of the nation's top conferences. With a large portion of the 1998 team back together again for another run in 1999, this Villanova team will attempt to vault itself back atop the Big East Conference standings.

Forward- Leading the Wildcats' offensive attack at forward will be seniors Lauren Sellers and Kathy Minnich. Sellers is the team's leading returning scorer, as she tallied nine points in 1998 on two goals and five assists.

"Sellers is going to have to provide leadership to the young players around her," said head coach Ann Clifton. "And Lauren is very accepting of this role."

Minnich was a key force as well, recording two goals and two assists for six points as a junior in 1999.

"Kathy's strength is in passing the ball," said Clifton. "It allows us to get into the attack."

Other returning letterwinners at the forward position include junior Kelly Stewart and sophomore Angela Scialdone. Stewart started in six games as a sophomore, scoring two goals and adding one assist. Scialdone missed a large portion of the 1998 season with a knee injury, but will be a main focal point of the Wildcat offense in 1999.

Three new faces will join Villanova at the forward position. Quinn Sellers, from Burlington Township High School in Burlington, N.J., achieved All-Division, All-Conference and All-State honors in each of the last three prep seasons. She will be looked upon to make an immediate impact as another scoring option on the Wildcat offense. Julie Battista from Marshfield, Mass., and Sacred Heart High School, along with Dana DeGarcia from Wayne N.Y., and Wayne Hills High School, will join Sellers at forward. Battista was the leading scorer in the state of Massachusetts as a senior in 1998.

Midfield- One of only two returning letterwinners to have started in all 20 games in 1998, senior Briar MacAdams will be the leader of a young Villanova midfield in 1999. Fellow senior Erica Rauchut and sophomore Jessica Painchaud will also add veteran leadership and consistency for the 'Cats in the middle. In her freshman season in 1998, Painchaud quickly became not only one of the team's, but one of the conference's toughest and most gritty all-around players.

"Erica gives us tremendous depth and it is this depth in the midfield that can provide us with a spark at any given time," said Clifton. "Jessica is one of the best-kept secrets in the Big East. She plays with a lot of passion, and using her in the midfield will allow us to take advantage of her lethal shot."

The rest of the midfield will be made up of a group of talented recruits. In addition to seeing time at forward, Quinn Sellers will also be a contributor in the middle. Joining Sellers is junior transfer Kari Pylypyshyn and freshmen Kristin Dunst, Stephanie Martell, and Kristin Borchard. Dunst is a speedy outside halfback, who will cause havoc for defenders. Martell helped lead her club team, Council Rock Sting, to an Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup title. She was also a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania State Olympic Development Team.

Defense- Defense will be one of the Wildcats' biggest strengths in 1999. Rejoining the lineup after missing the 1998 season due to a torn ACL is Beth McCaffery. McCaffery was an All-Big East second team defender two years ago.

"Beth provides us with leadership, heart and discipline," said Clifton. "She has been through a lot as a player, and wants to make this year her best."

Villanova also returns starting back Justina Smith from a team that held opponents to 1.87 goals per game last season. One of only two 'Cats to start in every contest, Smith was a force on defense, as well as on the offensive end where she scored two goals. Villanova's other returning letterwinner on defense from 1998 is sophomore Dyane Noonan, who played in six games and tallied one assist as a freshman.

Freshmen Cary Morrell and Jennifer Carrigan will look to contribute immediately for Clifton and the Wildcats on defense. Morrell is a talented marking back with tremendous speed, while Carrigan's speed and tactical abilities will also be an asset in 1999. Kari Pylypyshyn, a junior transfer from Carnegie Mellon, along with sophomore Meaghan Frawley and freshmen Kristin Borchard and Lauren Testa will add depth on defense. Frawley had an outstanding spring season for the 'Cats as a central defender. Testa posted regional All-American honors as a high school senior in 1998.

Goalie- A Big East All-Rookie Team performer in her first season on the Main Line in 1998, Janel Schillig quickly proved to be one of the conference's top goalkeepers. Becoming the Wildcats' starter in net after only four games, Schillig finished eighth in the nation in saves per game with 9.2. Her resume also includes a record breaking performance against Notre Dame in which she set a new Big East record for saves in a game with 25. On Oct. 31, Schillig shut out Georgetown in Villanova's last regular season game to help clinch the 'Cats a berth in the conference tournament.

"I can't say enough about Janel," said Clifton. "She is a great leader both on and off the field. Janel was an unknown commodity last season. Now that everyone knows her, she is going to have to step up to the challenge. And she will."

Sophomore Susan Lubbers will backup Schillig in goal in 1999. Lubbers played in one contest as a freshman in 1998, and has proven to be a very valuable backup in net.

Outlook- "The 1999 season begins a youth movement, but it all starts with the strong leadership of the older girls. This team will be very young. It may take some time to get on our feet, but once we get acclimated...the best is yet to come," said Clifton.

"We have turned a corner and I believe we will start to really challenge. The conference is tougher, but I think making the tournament is really a legitimate goal. Under the leadership of four outstanding captains in Briar MacAdams, Beth McCaffery, Janel Schillig and Lauren Sellers, the Wildcats are looking to make some noise in 1999."