Women's soccer season preview: Forwards
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team had much better success in finding the back of the net in 2016. This season, the Black and Gold will look to take another step as they look to return to the Northeast Conference Tournament.
This is the first of a three-part season preview for the Bryant women's soccer team. BryantBulldogs.com will preview the midfield on Tuesday and the defense on Wednesday.
After having scored just 11 goals in head coach Andy Biggs' first season in 2015, the Bulldogs potted 19 in 2016. Bryant was better in NEC play as it scored 11 goals in eight games, scoring multiple goals on four occasions.
One constant in each of Biggs' first two seasons is the number of players that have contributed to the offense. The Black and Gold have 10 or more different goal scorers in each of the last two years, including 11 last year.
"We have a number of players that will contribute once again this season," Biggs said. "There's a good mix of veterans and newcomers that add to our attack through a mix of skill and athleticism. I'm excited to see this group come together as the season progresses."
Bryant lost its leading goal scorer from a season ago in Kianna Woods (4) but there is optimism with the return of junior Alison Guilmette (Coventry, R.I.) and sophomore Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.).
Guilmette, who can also play in the midfield, finished third on the team last season with two goals and two assists for six points. A shifty player on the wing, Guilmette is poised to take another big step in her offensive production this season.
Manna is back after a strong rookie season saw her earn NEC All-Rookie honors. She made her presence felt immediately, scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime against Stony Brook in her collegiate debut. She added another game winner against Binghamton three weeks later but missed the final seven games with an injury.
The Bulldogs will also look to seniors Claire Bergh (Calgary, Alberta) and Alyssa Riccione (Mohnton, Pa.), junior Rachel Benz (Stamford, Conn.) and the freshmen trio of Kristen Bortolotti (Foxborough, Mass.) Amanda Spitaleri (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) and Katie Cronin (Feeding Hills, Mass.).
Bergh played in all 18 games a year ago and scored her first collegiate goal in the process. Meanwhile, Riccione returns to the attacking third after making 14 starts as a right back last fall. Benz has appeared in 18 games in her first two seasons in Smithfield and is looking to post a breakout season in 2017.
Bortolotti was a three-time All-Hockomock selection in high school, scoring 13 goals and adding 11 assists as a senior last fall. Cronin was the team MVP at Wilbraham and Monson Academy the last two seasons and was named to the Massachusetts All-State team as a senior. Spitaleri registered five goals and three assists on her way to all-league and all-county honors as a senior.