2007 Women's Soccer Preseason Newsletter 2007 SEASON PREVIEW

LIPP AND LINK JOIN CLARK WOMEN’S SOCCER STAFF

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2007 SCHEDULE

2007 SEASON PREVIEW

After a lackluster 2006 season (4-12-1/2-6-1 NEWMAC), the Clark University women’s soccer team hopes to return to the form that saw an ECAC championship appearance two years ago. With the loss of seven seniors, including four starters, to graduation, it won’t be an easy feat. However, seventh-year head coach Joe Brady believes the solution is simple – go back to the basics.

“From a training perspective, we learned a lot from last year’s experience,” said Brady. “We will focus more on our technical skill work and obviously we need to be more consistent in games.”

Returning 14 letterwinners and seven starters, not to mention four seniors, Brady is confident he can fill the openings in the lineup. “Our four seniors have been starters since they came to Clark,” he said. “The critical part for them is to balance leadership and their competitive nature – they all want to have a solid finish to their careers.”

The Cougars biggest challenge will be to rebuild a backfield held by All-Conference defender Amy Wilson ’07, Missy Ambrose ’07, Stephanie Holmes ’07 and goalkeeper Tedi Link ’07 – a graduate assistant coach this fall. Senior captain Jen Dineen is expected to anchor the backline that includes senior Deena Zakim and junior Julia Rizzo. In addition to the veteran depth, Coach Brady also anticipates up-and-coming sophomore Lorna Lunney to vie for a starting spot, while sophomore Kerri Moy will also be in the mix.

With the departure of Link and Lizwe Nondabula ’07, who shared goaltending duties for two seasons, Coach Brady is on the hunt for a solid candidate between the pipes. Looking to fill that role is sophomore newcomer Joanna Clark, a former four-year standout goalkeeper at Windham High School (Me.). Clark also plays softball for the Cougars.

There will be a plethora of options at midfield, where the Cougars must fill the void left by Lindsey Sylvester ‘07, a former NSCAA, NEWISA and NEWMAC All-Star. Sophomores Charlotte Bowman and Lauren King lead the list of returnees. Both players are poised to have breakout seasons. Junior Heather Winn and sophomore Jess Mirkin will also play key roles. Returning from an injury, junior Maria Arabatzis is expected to make a contribution as well.

Seniors Amanda Ramos (10-1-21) and Liz Adamcik (3-3-9) will give Clark a strong one-two scoring punch up front. Ramos, a NEWMAC second-team all-star, returns as the Cougars top offensive threat (10-1-21) and finished fourth in the conference in goals, while Adamcik, a former two-time All-NEWMAC selection, currently sits sixth on Clark’s all-time scoring list (23-4-50). Junior Kari Mruz and sophomore Brittany Flibotte are also viable candidates up top and they will also add depth in the midfield.

Coach Brady will add depth with another talented recruiting class. Included in that group are Julie Murray (Millbury, Mass.), Allison Kennelly (Irvington, N.Y.), Kristen Murrone (Middletown, Conn.), Megan O’Rourke (Somerset, Mass.) and Marie Sirois (Saco, Me.). An athletic player, Murray has the ability to make an immediate impact, while Kennelly and Murrone, who join Clark after quality club careers, could also shine. O’Rourke, a steady defender and midfielder, and a hard working Sirois will give the Cougars a solid spark off the bench. Newcomer Francesca Arminio (Middle Village, N.Y.) will serve as a back-up goalie.

How will the Cougars fare in 2007? “We have one of the most challenging schedules in New England – two of our first three games are against NCAA Tournament teams,” Brady said. “The underclassmen may have to step into unfamiliar roles. However, if they are up to the test and our first-year players respond, we can have an exciting season.”

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LIPP AND LINK JOIN CLARK WOMEN’S SOCCER STAFF

Clark University head women’s soccer coach Joe Brady has announced two new additions to his staff this season. Heather Lipp will join the program as an assistant, while former goalkeeper Tedi Link ‘07 will serve as a graduate assistant this fall.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Penn., Lipp brings strong coaching experience to the Cougar sideline. Prior to Clark, the U.S.S.F. National B certified coach served as an assistant at Wittenberg (Oh.) University for the past three seasons, where she helped the Tigers capture their first-ever conference title and NCAA Tournament berth.

“Heather brings a tremendous amount of experience to the program,” said Brady, entering his seventh season at the helm. “Not only are the players going to learn from her, but I am as well. It’s going to be a great opportunity for our team.”

A former four-year defender at Marietta (Oh.) College, Lipp, has directed teams at almost every level. She guided the Dayton (Oh.) Soccer Academy U16 girl’s squad to a state ranking and held stints at Indiana (Pa.) Senior High – as varsity and junior varsity head coach – and assisted the Foothills (Pa.) U12 girl’s team. Additionally, Lipp has been involved in various area soccer leagues and summer camps throughout her tenure.

So far, she’s happy with the Cougars. “Clark has been wonderful,” said Lipp. “The attitude of the team is amazing – they eat, drink and sleep soccer. Everyday, they surprise me with what they can do.”

“Coach Brady is generous about letting me work within them and the team has responded,” she added.

Lipp, who holds a bachelor’s in advertising from Marietta, will focus on the backfield and will be involved in all aspects of the program.

A former four-year player with the Cougars (2003-06), Link was a steady contributor between the pipes the last two seasons. The Irvington, N.Y. native helped Clark to its first-ever ECAC Championship game in 2005 and turned aside a career-high 12 shots in a last-second victory over Keene State College last fall. Prior to Clark, Link was a four-year letter-winner at Irvington High School, where she earned All-Section honorable mention honors as a senior.



Link graduated last spring with a degree in Communications and is working towards her master’s in science in professional communication at Clark.

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2007 SCHEDULE

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Women's Soccer Office
Joe Brady, Head Coach, 508-421-3796
Email: jbrady@clarku.edu