Team bests early predictions in 2010

SEASON ROUND-UP: Young defensive core at heart of strong year for Bryant women's soccer

By Sean Donahue
Staff Writer

The Bryant University Women's soccer team finished the 2010 season with five victories, one more than last season, to take seventh-place in the 11-team Northeast Conference.

The Bulldogs (5-13-2, 3-6-1 NEC), predicted to finish eighth in the NEC in the preseason coaches' poll, beat that forecast and gave some of the top teams in the conference scares in the process. After a tough non-conference schedule in which the Bulldogs captured two overtime victories and only once conceded more than two goals in a match, the team started conference play in incredible form.

Led by an amazing defensive effort that saw Bryant go on a 424 minute shutout streak, the Bulldogs went undefeated through their first four conference games. Starting NEC play with an impressive 3-0 victory over Farleigh Dickinson, the Bulldogs then went on the road and drew 0-0 with Sacred Heart. Continuing their good form, Bryant returned home and beat Robert Morris 2-0, before recording a notable 1-0 win over Saint Francis (PA), handing the eventual league champions one of their only two NEC losses of the season.

Junior transfer Stephanie Morse and the Bulldog backline opened conference play with four straight shutouts.

The Bulldogs would go on to lose their next six games to end the season, but their impressive defensive form continued. Their 1.25 goals against average (GAA) this season was by far the best since the program entered Division I and a clear improvement over last year's 1.90 GAA. This year's total of five shutouts was one better than the combined total of 2008 and 2009, the team's first two season in DI.

Those numbers are due in part to the strong play of young goalkeepers Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) and Lauren Viverito (Dayton, N.J.). Jacob, a sophomore, and Viverito, a freshman, split time in goal. Jacob finished the season with a 1.38 GAA and .750 save percentage in 14 games, while Viverito posted a 1.02 GAA and .840 save percentage in eight games. Viverito's GAA and save percentage were both the best season numbers for a Bryant goalkeeper since the team entered DI.

The two young keepers had an equally inexperienced backline in front of them. The starting backline this season was made up of freshman Alyssa Kozlowski (Ellicott City, Md.), sophomores Regan Marin (Bedford, N.Y.) and Kaitlyn Fare (Millstone Township, N.J.), and junior Stephanie Morse (Warwick, R.I.), who transferred to Bryant this year.

The offense was led by junior Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.) who started 18 of 20 games this season and recorded three goals, including two game-winners. Hinck led the Bulldogs in scoring for the third season in a row having recorded four goals in 2009 and six in 2008. Hinck was joined this year at the top of the scoring charts by sophomore Krista Johnstone (Dover, N.H.) who also tallied three goals, mostly as a substitute. Sophomore Jennifer Harding (Lancaster, Mass.) contributed a goal while starting all 20 games either up top or in midfield.

Underclassmen played key roles in the midfield as well with freshman Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) starting all 20 games and contributing two goals and an assist. Sophomore Alex Bengston (Andover, Mass.) was another key in helping Bryant control the midfield. Bengston often partnered Goldberg in the center of the midfield, starting 18 games and tallying one goal.

While the young players on the women's soccer team played key roles, the Bulldogs two seniors helped guide the team to success. Senior Step Del Mistro (East Williston, N.Y.) started 19 of 20 games for Bryant, beginning the season at right back, before moving to forward. Del Mistro led the team with three assists and also added a goal. Senior midfielder Sarah Donovan (Storrs, Conn.), who tied a Bulldog record with three assists in a match in 2008, started 10 of the 16 matches she played this season.

While Del Mistro and Donovan will be moving on, the Bulldogs should have a lot to look forward to in 2011 with most of the young squad returning for the final transition year before women's soccer program gains DI postseason eligibility.