Despite coaches in the Northeast-10 Conference voting the American International College women's soccer team No. 3 in a preseason poll, the team isn't trying to focus on the big picture; rather, the Yellow Jackets are taking a game-by-game approach.
"I think right now we're actually not thinking about the third place, but more just thinking about the game ahead, and taking it day-by-day rather than let it get to our head that we are supposed to finish in third," said junior captain Kelly Kosloski.
"On any given day, anything can happen," added head coach Kevon Isa. "So being picked third just let us know that there's a lot of pressure on our back, but we have to go out there and finish strong."
Even with 16 new players on its 2016 roster, the team captains say that chemistry is strong, and the team begins its journey with two games at Southern Connecticut State University, first on Sept. 2 against the University of Bridgeport and then LIU Post on Sept. 4.
RECAPPING 2015: Ended the season with a 12-5-2 record and an appearance in the NE-10 Playoffs, losing in the quarterfinal round in penalty kicks to Assumption College. During the regular season, the Yellow Jackets secured a key victory over then-No. 25 University of New Haven on Sept. 19 and posted a 2-1 overtime win over Merrimack College on Oct. 3.
KEY LOSSES: Forward Alyssa Werbicki, who was the team's top scorer last season, with seven goals and an assist on the year, and defender Romina Bell (four goals, four assists) graduated. The Yellow Jackets also lose goalkeeper Rachel Edgin, who played every minute in all 19 games for AIC.
GOALIES: With the departure of Edgin, the most prominent hole that needs to be replaced is at goalkeeper. But Isa said that the Yellow Jackets are in good hands with sophomores Madison Brown and Mikayla Demanche.
"We have Mikayla and we have Madison, both players fighting for that spot," Isa said. "Madison was here last year, so I think Rachel took her under her wing and really developed her. Madison knows exactly what is expected. But I think knowing that we have a new goalie in goal, it makes the 10 players in front of them defend harder and work harder. but for us, we are very happy with which one starts, we know that they can get the job done."
FORWARD: After three successful seasons with the AIC women's basketball team, grad student Brianna Bishop joins the women's soccer team as a forward. Seniors Merissa Phipps and Serena Shuter, along with junior Linnea Herbertsson, return to the team and will lead a young group of forwards. Sophomore Johanna Englund also transferred to AIC this season from Niagara University.
MIDFIELD: Senior captain Jessica Margaretta (three goals, two assists) was an All-New England First Team selection last year, and sophomore Federica Frew was named to the All-Conference third team and All-Rookie last year after scoring five goals and one assist. Sophomore Johanna Nilson had four goals and three assists in 2015. Senior Kendra Hixon will serve as one of the team's captains.
DEFENSE: Senior Brianna Kenney was named to the All-New England Second Team last year. Kosloski and junior Anais Chareyon started in all 19 games last season and will be leaders as well this year. Transfer Miko Iida and a solid group of freshmen will look to make an impact as well.
KEY DATES: AIC will begin conference play on Sept. 14 against Southern New Hampshire University, and the team's home opener falls on Sept. 17 against the University of New Haven. The College of Saint Rose, the second-ranked team in the conference, will welcome AIC on Sept. 24, and national No. 13 Adelphi University hosts the Yellow Jackets on Oct. 22.
