2006 Season Recap
After earning its third straight New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tournament berth, the seventh-seed Clark University women’s soccer team concluded its season with a hard-fought 2-1 overtime loss to second-seed Springfield College in quarterfinal round action. The Cougars ended the year 4-12-1 overall and 2-6-1 in league play.
Facing a daunting non-conference schedule and NEWMAC slate, the Clark squad held its own against five NCAA tournament teams and a pair of perennial New England contenders this season. The Cougars went 1-4 after facing three of the five NCAA teams, including a trip to the Oneonta State College Mayor’s Cup Tournament, to start the year.
Highlights for Clark included, an impressive 3-2 victory over regional powerhouse Keene State College, where junior midfielder Amanda Ramos notched a hat-trick, including the game-winner with 56 seconds left to play, decisive NEWMAC wins over cross-town rival WPI (4-0) and Coast Guard Academy (4-1), and a 1-1 double-overtime tie against Mount Holyoke College.
Ramos and senior defender Amy Wilson saw their first appearance on the NEWMAC All-Conference second team. Ramos, who earned NEWMAC Player of the Week honors earlier in the season, led the Cougar offense with a career-high 21 points on 10 goals and an assist. She also ranked second in the conference in goals per game (0.59) and tied for fourth in goals (10). Wilson, a tri-captain, anchored Clark’s defense in all 17 games and chipped in offensively with a key assist in a victory over Coast Guard. Wilson was also selected to play in the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) Senior Bowl.
Senior Sheri Brick and sophomore Kari Mruz represented the women’s soccer squad on the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference team.
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Women's Soccer Team Starts "Kick up the Writing" Program at May Street School
The Clark University women's soccer team will begin its "Kick Up the Writing” program at a new school later this month - May Street School in Worcester, Mass. After developing the program with Mill Swan Principal Kathy Dion three years ago, head coach Joe Brady was disappointed to learn that the school closed due to budget cuts. "We are disappointed that we will not be working with the Mill Swan students," said Brady. "However, we are excited to start a fresh program at May Street and eager to build relationships with those students."
Clark women’s soccer players devoted an hour each week to fourth, fifth and sixth grade students encouraging them to develop their writing skills, to work hard and set goals, both inside and outside of the classroom. The students are also invited to a soccer clinic at the end of the five-month program.
Principal Dion and students honored the program during a recognition day at the school last June. Each player and Coach Brady were presented with a citation from both State Sen. Ed Augustus and State Rep. John Binienda. "The recognition from the school and the state is a great honor for the team and the players," commented Brady. "Although the players are not involved in the program for public recognition. They have made a real commitment to the program and the recognition is was well-deserved.”
In addition, the women’s soccer team and Coach Brady were recognized for their efforts in the program by receiving the Clark University John W. Lund Community Service award at Fall Convocation in September. The Lund award recognizes the contributions to the Worcester community by Clark faculty, students and staff. It was established by John Lund, retired chief executive officer of the S&S Paper Company and New England Envelope Manufacturing Company. Lund is a member of Jonas Clark Fellows, serves on the board of the Friends Goddard Library and has audited classes at Clark for nearly 20 years.
“The writing program, under Coach Brady's leadership, has had a life-changing affect on the Mill Swan and Clark students,” said Athletic Director Linda Moulton. “The university and athletic department are very proud of the women’s soccer team and their coach's continued involvement in the community.”
“It’s important for our players to give back,” said Brady, who just completed his sixth season at the Cougar helm. "Sometimes, the athletes get more out if it than the kids. They truly look forward to going, and at the end of the day, enjoy it more than they ever imagined.”
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Women's Soccer Office
Joe Brady, Head Coach, 508-421-3796
Email: jbrady@clarku.edu
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2006 Season Recap
