Aug. 28, 2001
Ann Clifton took over the helm of the Villanova University women's soccer program in 1998 with a plan. After .500 records in her first two seasons, that plan began to take form in 1999 when the Wildcats set a school record for victories in a season with 14 and won their first-ever ECAC title. Last season, Villanova posted double digit victories for the second consecutive season, marking the first time a Wildcat team has done that since 1994-95.
Heading into the 2001 campaign, Clifton's first-ever recruiting class is now seniors. This group of seniors is poised to help lead a talented group of youngsters to the finest season Villanova women's soccer has ever seen. It would be the perfect ending to the career of five outstanding seniors - Dyane Noonan, Meaghan Frawley, Jessica Painchaud, Janel Schillig and Angela Scialdone - and just the next step in Clifton's master plan...a plan that hopes to take the Wildcats to the top of the Big East Conference and beyond.
Forward:
Villanova returns the majority of its scoring line in 2001, with the exception of Kelly Stewart who was lost to graduation. Leading the way for the Wildcats at forward are a pair of seniors in Jessica Painchaud and Angela Scialdone, and two outstanding juniors in Quinn Sellers and Julie Battista. Posting four goals and six assists last season, Painchaud will see most of her time in the midfield, but may be counted on to contribute at forward as well. Scialdone is a force off the bench, coming in as a substitute twice last season to find the back of the net.
Sellers in one of the premier offensive threats in the Big East, both as a starter and as a spark off the bench. Last season, she led the team in scoring, tallying eight goals and one assist for 17 points. Showing marked improvement this spring as a playmaker, Battista will be looked upon for a scoring presence at both forward and in the midfield.
Sophomore Janessa Jeltema will also add an offensive punch at forward. She who showed tremendous promise as a rookie last year, and hopes to increase her six points (one goal, four assists) from one season ago.
Clifton brought in one of the nation's finest recruiting classes this season with four players - Laura Johnson (Charlotte, N.C./ Providence Senior H.S.), Alison Bimba (Etna, N.H./ Wheaton College Transfer), Erica Stewart (Cranford, N.J./Cranford H.S.) and Regina Villari (Woodbury Heights, N.J./ Gateway Regional H.S.) - looking to make an impact at the forward position. Johnson will have an opportunity to make an immediate contribution in the Big East this season. She was the North Carolina Player of the Year as a senior, and was also featured in ESPN The Magazine as a United States Navy Scholastic first team All-American.
Bimba joins Villanova as a junior, after transferring from Wheaton College. She is a two-time Division III All-American, earning NSCAA first team honors in 2000 and NSCAA second team accolades one season earlier. Bimba was also named the New England Women's Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year in 2000. Stewart brings tremendous passion and an outstanding sense of the game to the `Cats. She led her high school team to a No. 2 national ranking, and was named All-State for her efforts. A savvy all-around player with blazing speed, Villari comes to the Wildcats as an All-Conference, All-County and All-State performer.
Midfield:
The Wildcats return a deep midfield in 2001, led by a strong group of veteran players. Battista, Painchaud, and Sellers will each see playing time at forward as well as in the midfield. Senior Meaghan Frawley has shown great improvement upon her possession game and will provide a spark off the bench for Villanova in the midfield.
Earning co-captain status in 2001 thanks to her leadership and hard-nosed play, junior Jennifer Carrigan has started all 41 games in her Villanova career in the midfield. Fellow junior Kristin Dunst has been one of the Wildcats most consistent scorers over her first two seasons, tallying seven goals and two assists as a freshman in 1999 and eight goals and three assists as a sophomore last season.
Three other returners looking to make a key contribution are sophomores Jeltema, Elizabeth Dauble and Candice MacDonald. Dauble played in 18 games as a freshman in 2000 tallying one goal and one assist. After having one of the finest springs of any player head coach Ann Clifton has ever coached, she will attempt to increase her roll in the Wildcat offensive scheme in 2001. MacDonald started 17 of 19 games as a freshman last year and scored one goal and dished out six assists for eight points. Cary Morrell will add depth for the `Cats in the midfield. She worked hard and continued to make strides through each of her two seasons.
Clifton's freshmen class contains four newcomers who will contribute significantly in the midfield. Tracy Naida (Suffield, Conn./ Suffield H.S.) possesses phenomenal vision and a strong shot. She will contribute to the Villanova midfield immediately as a center-midfielder. A NSCAA Regional All-American, Naida led Suffield to a Connecticut State Championship in 2000.
Another versatile freshman performer who will give the Wildcats a dangerous left foot is Patricia Misciagna (Red Bank, N.J./ Red Bank Catholic H.S.). Misciagna received All-Parochial, All-Shore and All-State honors in 2000, after leading Red Bank Catholic to a North Shore Conference title. Lindsy Klar, a freshman from Ridgewood, N.J. and Ridgewood High School, will add depth for Villanova in the midfield.
Defense:
The Wildcat defense has a chance to be one of the best in the Big East, behind senior co-captain Dyane Noonan, junior co-captain Carrigan, and junior assistant captain Jill DiBerardino. A two-year captain, Noonan is an aggressive defender who often marks the opponents top offensive threat. A transfer from the University of Florida who arrived on the Main Line in 2000, DiBerardino had a great first season with the Wildcats in 2000. An amazing all-around player, she possesses vast foot skills which will help her in the back as well as on the attack. DiBerardino is also outstanding in the air.
Returning from a torn ACL that kept her out the entire 2000 season is Michelle Biehl. A tremendous field general with deceptive power, Biehl has the capability of making a huge impact in the Big East this season.
Other players looking to contribute on defense are Frawley, Morrell, Borchard and sophomores Dauble and Colleen Keneally. Playing in seven games as a freshman in 2000, Keneally displayed solid offensive potential and an outstanding heading ability. Misciagna will also battle for time on defense, in addition to her role in the Villanova midfield.
Goalkeeping:
The Wildcats are the deepest that they have ever been at the goalkeeper position. Starter Janel Schillig returns for her senior season in the best the best shape of her career. Big East Goalkeeper of the Year in 1999, Schillig is an amazing shot blocker with extraordinary reaction time. She posted 5.5 shutouts last season, and registered a career-best goals against average of 1.04.
Arguably one of the top young goalkeepers in the country, sophomore Chrissy Dolan will challenge and push Schillig for playing time. As a freshman last season, Dolan recorded a 2-0 record, 2.5 shutouts, a 0.955 save percentage and a 0.30 goals against average in eight games.
Joining this tremendous tandem in 2001 is freshman Sara Stern (Los Altos, Calif./ St. Francis High School). Stern possesses a strong athletic build and will give the `Cats depth at the goalkeeper position.
Clifton on the 2001 Wildcats:
"I am cautiously optimistic heading into the season. Everything is in place for a tremendous year, and with a bit of luck we could have a great season. The key is getting off to a quick start, because if we do, everything will just take off from there. Our seniors are all great people and great players. If the seniors will their way and their winning attitude to the younger players, this team could be special."
