Women's Soccer 8/29/2018 12:30:00 PM By Jake Carlson, Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant

Women’s Soccer Hosts Bloomfield in Season Opener

GAME INFORMATION
Daemen Wildcats (0-0, 0-0 ECC) vs. Bloomfield Bears (0-0, 0-0 CACC)
Thursday, Aug. 30 | 11:00 a.m.
Amherst, N.Y. | Karrer Field

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OH DANNY BOY
Head coach Dan Dolan returns to the Wildcats for his tenth season in 2018. Since taking over the program in 2009, Dolan has led Daemen to an 80-78-7 record, establishing himself as the program's all-time winningest coach. After going 9-7-1 in 2017, Dolan looks to carry the momentum of that successful campaign into the 2018 season. Dolan's best season came back in 2011 when the Wildcats went 15-4 overall and 11-1 in their final season as a member of the now-defunct American Mideast Conference. He went on to lead the program to three-straight appearances in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship game during the team's transition to NCAA Division II, winning the title in 2012.

ECC PRESEASON POLL
After a vote of the league's head coaches, Daemen has been picked to finish seventh in the East Coast Conference this season, up one spot up from last year's poll. The Wildcats posted a 9-7-1 overall record and a 3-5 mark in the ECC last season. Daemen finished sixth in the conference last year. Mercy was picked to finish first after going 18-4-1 overall and 7-1 in the ECC last season.

POINT PRODUCTION
Daemen returns its top three point producers from last year in junior forward Jamie Boyar (11 gls, 3 ast, 25 pts), Celia De Pablo Esteban (4 gls, 3 ast, 11 pts) and Lindsay Ciaramella (2 gols, 5 ast, 9 pts). Boyar led the team and ranked fifth among all ECC players in goals en route to earning third team all-conference honors. Of her 11 goals, seven went down as game-winners tying her for the league lead in that category. She has started all 33 games over the last two seasons, and has produced at more than a one-point-per-game clip for her career (17 gls, 7 ast, 41 pts). Ciaramella and de Pablo Esteban are often starting the offensive attack in the midfield. Ciaramella led the team in assists last season.

BETWEEN THE PIPES
Sophomores Maddie Flores and Katelin White continue their battle from last season for the starting goalkeeper position. The pair each saw playing time last year, and both experienced their share of success, combining for three ECC Rookie of the Week and two ECC Defensive Player of the Week selections. White played in and started 13 games last year for the Wildcats, while Flores started four and played in seven. Together, they combined to post a .805 save percentage and a 1.48 goals against average in 2017.

VETERAN PRESENCE
Nine of Daemen's 11 starters from 2017 all return to the lineup with more experience. Leading the back line is seniors Monique Green and Alex Valenti who have combined for 98 games played and 86 games started in their careers. Sophomore Sam D'Agostino will look to capitalize on her freshman campaign after starting 15 games in the back. The trio of Green, Valenti and D'Agostino played a large role in helping Daemen rank sixth in the league in goals against average last season.

FRESHMAN CLASS
Daemen features five freshman this year who look to contribute significant minutes. Elise Williams is a calm and composed midfielder who quarterbacks the field when she is on. She is a smooth player with good vision and can provide defensive help for the back line. Grace Stranahan and Kate Sidoti will both look to get into the attacking side with good dribbling and vision on the ball. Their poise on the ball will be key on the pitch to help pilot the midfield. Kayleigh Daniels is an added forward for the Wildcats this season who has the pace and agility to create scoring chances. Madeline Emmi is an outside back with good awareness and speed of play, who can help on the attack while also being a stout defender. With the addition of these five freshmen, the Wildcats will look to be a deeper team this season.

BLOOMFIELD SCOUTING REPORT
Bloomfield is a member of Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, and the Bears are coached by Michael Minielli who enters his second season at the helm. The Bears return all but three players, with one of those being the team leader in goals (7) and points (14), Simone McEnough. The Bears are also bringing back sophomore Brigid Dwyer, who led the team in assists (4) and was second in points (10). The Bears went 5-11 overall last season and 3-9 in the CACC. Bloomfield played five different players at goalkeeper in 2017, which is leaving this season up in the air.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Daemen vs. Bloomfield: 1-0
Streak: Win 1
Last Meeting: Daemen 5, Bloomfield 1 | Oct. 21, 2017 | Bloomfield, N.J.

UP NEXT
Daemen will travel to Wilmington, Delaware for contests vs. Goldey-Beacom (Sept. 1) and Wilmington (Sept. 3) before returning home to start ECC play.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Jamie Boyar: F; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#13 Lindsay Ciaramella: M; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#22 Monique Green: D; 5' 8"; Junior

#7 Alex Valenti: D; 5' 4"; Junior

#35 Maddie Flores: GK; 5' 8"; Freshman

#19 Sam D'Agostino: D; 5' 3"; Freshman

#0 Katelin White: GK; 5' 4"; Freshman

#26 Madeline Emmi: D; 5' 4"; Freshman

#2 Kayleigh Daniels: F; 5' 4"; Freshman

#25 Grace Stranahan: M; 5' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#23 Jamie Boyar
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: F

#13 Lindsay Ciaramella
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: M

#22 Monique Green
: 5' 8"; Junior
: D

#7 Alex Valenti
: 5' 4"; Junior
: D

#35 Maddie Flores
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: GK

#19 Sam D'Agostino
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: D

#0 Katelin White
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: GK

#26 Madeline Emmi
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: D

#2 Kayleigh Daniels
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: F

#25 Grace Stranahan
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: M