Posted: Feb 13, 2012

Women's soccer adds seven newcomers

WOMEN'S SOCCER UNVEILS CLASS OF 2016

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team will welcome seven student-athletes to its roster for the 2012 season, head coach Chris Flint announced today. The seven-member class is comprised of mostly forwards and midfielders who will help bolster the Bulldogs' attack as they enter their first season eligible for postseason competition.

The incoming Class of 2016 is comprised of a pair of players from Massachusetts and New York, as well as one each from New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Featured in the group of seven are a number of top scorers and offensive threats that will add a blend of speed, skill and versatility to a team that finished 8-8-3 in 2011.

"I am excited about the versatility that this class will bring to our program," Flint said."The players possess a unique combination of speed and size, as well as a proven ability to put the ball in the net. They have all been leaders in their respective club and high school teams and I will expect that to continue during their time here at Bryant."

NAME POS. HEIGHT HOMETOWN / H.S.

Scout Benson F 5-8 Lynnfield, Mass. / Lynnfield
Allison DeBenedictis F 5-11 Norwell, Mass. / Norwell
Caitlin Hannagen            F 5-11 Richboro, Pa. / Council Rock North
Rachael Ivanicki F/M       5-7 Colts Neck, N.J. / Colts Neck
Quinn Massaroni             M 5-7 Albany, N.Y. / Academy of the Holy Names
Sarah Schucker F/M 5-3 Nanuet, N.Y. / Nanuet Senior H.S.
Shea Williams M 5-8 Londonderry, N.H. / Londonderry

Scout Benson | F | 5-8 | Framingham, Mass. | Lynnfield

Four-year varsity letter winner and starter and two-time league champion as a member of the Lynnfield girls' soccer team … Led team in scoring as a sophomore, junior and senior … Named the Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … Multi-year member of the All-Cape Ann League Team … Scored team-high 16 goals as a sophomore … Also a standout on the track and field team, earning sixth-place finish in the 400 meter hurdles as a freshman … Member of school honor roll and multi-year class president.

Flint on Benson: "A very fast attacking player, Scout will be asked to add to our attack and to break down defenders with her speed and attacking skills. She has shown a solid ability to find the back of the net"

Allison DeBenedictis | F | 5-11 | Norwell, Mass. | Norwell

Four-year starter and varsity letterwinner at Norwell H.S. … Named to the Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic Team as a senior … All-State All-Star as a senior … Multi-year Eastern Massachusetts All-Star … Named to the South Shore League All-Star Team … Also earned varsity letters on the girls' basketball team (3), girls' track and field team (4) and girls' lacrosse team (1).

Flint on DeBenedictis: "Allison is a very versatile player who plays multiple positions for both her club and high school team .She led her high school team in scoring the last two seasons. She is a strong athlete who will be able to play defense, midfield and forwards for us during her career."

Caitlin Hannagen | F | 5-11 | Richboro, Pa. | Council Rock North

Starter all four seasons on the Council Rock North girls' soccer team … Began her high school career as a sweeper before moving to forward … Led team as a senior to a 17-3 record, Suburban One League National Conference Championship, second-place finish in Districts and a quarterfinal appearance in the state championship … Named to the Suburban One All-League Team all four seasons … Twice named league offensive MVP … Named to the Suburban One League All-Star Team as a senior … Named the Kick-N-Wear SCL Player of the Week (Sept. 25, 2010) … Two-year varsity letterwinner on the girls' lacrosse team … Named the Suburban One League All-League Player and Rookie of the Year in just her first season playing varsity lacrosse in 2011 … Four-year member of the Honor Roll.

Flint on Hannagen: "A solid attacking player who has very good field awareness to go along with her size, Caitlin will be looked to add much-needed strength in the attack for years to come both in the midfield and up top."

Rachael Ivanicki | F/M | 5-7 | Colts Neck, N.J. | Colts Neck

Four-year starter at Colts Neck High School … Her teams compiled an overall record of 42-12-1 in her career … Named First-Team All-Shore Conference, All-Division and All-County during a memorable senior season … Also a member of the All-State Third Team in her final year … Totaled 22 goals and 26 assists (70 points) in her career ... Also named First-Team All-County as a junior … Tabbed as the top sophomore and junior to watch following the 2009 and 2010 seasons, respectively … Ranks fourth all-time in high school history in assists … Four-year varsity letterwinner on the track and field team … Member of the Mathematics Honor Society.

Flint on Ivanicki: "Another very quick attacker who can also hold her own in the midfield, Ivanicki is a very aggressive player who has a proven ability to put the ball in the back of the net."

Quinn Massaroni | M | 5-7 | Albany, N.Y. | Academy of the Holy Names

Colonial Council All-Star all four seasons … Section II All-Star as a sophomore, junior and senior … Tabbed a N.Y. All-State All-Star in 2010 and 2011 … Selected as the Academy of the Holy Names School MVP for the 2010-11 academic year … Times Union Large-School All-Star in 2011 … In addition to soccer, earned four varsity letters as a member of the girls' track and field (indoor and outdoor) team … National Honor Society Member … Section II Scholar Athlete from 2007-2011.

Flint on Massaroni: "Quinn is a very solid central midfielder who can see the field quite well and has a very good range of passing abilities.She will be looked to challenge for time right away in the middle of the field."

Sarah Schucker | M/F | 5-3 | Nanuet, N.Y. | Nanuet Senior H.S.

Four-year starter on the Nanuet girls' soccer team … Team went 48-19-8 in four seasons, earning back-to-back league championships and an appearance in the sectional championship game during her senior campaign … Capped a tremendous career off as a senior when she totaled 34 goals and dished 11 assists (79 points) while being named the County Player of the Year, League B Player of the Year, a Hudson Valley Journal News Scholar Athlete, First-Team All-League, First-Team All-County and First-Team All-Section … Earned Second-Team All-State honors … Finished her career with 171 points (65g, 41a) … Also named First-Team All-League, All-County and All-Section as a sophomore and junior … Team captain during her junior and senior seasons … Earned additional varsity letters on the girls' track and field team and girls' lacrosse team … Honor Roll student.

Flint on Schucker: "A very explosive player due to her pace, Sarah had over 100 career points in high school. She has the ability to play several positions for us in the future."

Shea Williams | M | 5-8 | Londonderry, N.H. | Londonderry

Four-year starter for the Londonderry girls' soccer team … Led the Lancers to four appearances in the New Hampshire Final Four tournament, including one berth in the state finals in her junior season … All-State selection after her senior campaign … Also earned varsity letters on the girls' basketball and track and field teams … Four-year Honor Roll member.

Flint on Williams: "Shea is a solid, athletic defender who also played midfield for her high school team. She will bring size and athleticism to the backline."