Aug. 24, 2006

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette women's soccer program ushers in a new era this fall, when first-year head coach Mick Statham begins his quest to bring the Leopards back to Patriot League prominence. Statham takes over a maturing team that is full of experience and primed to improve on last year's challenging season. The Leopards return 10 starters and 22 letterwinners from the 2005 campaign.

Statham, a 1992 graduate of Franklin Pierce College, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Lafayette program. His resume includes 18 years of coaching experience, including last season as the top assistant at Florida State University. Thanks in large part to Statham's tutelage, the Seminoles posted a 20-4-1 record, made the College Cup (Final Four), and came within one win of playing in the National Championship game. Following the 2005 season, he was named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Prior to coaching at Florida State, Statham served as an assistant at Penn, assistant of the men's soccer team at Philadelphia University, and head coach of the men's team at Mount St. Mary's College. He has also spent time in the national spotlight, working as an administrator and assistant coach of the Philadelphia Charge, a professional women's soccer team in the WUSA. Statham was also an apprentice player for the Blackburn Rovers in England.

Joining Statham's staff will be assistant coach Brian Herr. Herr, a 1998 Drexel graduate, comes to College Hill after spending three seasons as an assistant at Villanova, where he helped lead the Wildcats to the Big East Championship in 2004. Like Statham, Herr brings an impressive resume to the Leopards. Herr, widely known for his work with goalkeepers, will undoubtedly bring an immediate positive impact to the Leopard program. "One of my main jobs is to develop the trust and relationships with not only the entire team, but especially the goalkeepers," Herr said. While Statham and Herr face a formidable task, goals and expectations will not be put on hold.

"The goal every year has to be to win the Patriot League championship, starting this year," Statham said. "Then from there we can see how far we can go in the NCAA Tournament. One strength of this team is the desire to do well. Everyone is working hard and getting along." The journey toward reaching those goals will begin in mid-August in the Leopards' preseason camp.

"First, we have to implement a system that the players will understand and comprehend what we're trying to do," Statham said. "Second, they have to be ready mentally and physically to play on Sept. 2 against Cornell. Finally, the team and the staff need to create meaningful relationships and understand each other's personalities."

Offensively, the Leopards return their goal and assist leaders from last season. Junior tri-captain Caroline Tuttle will look to continue to improve on an already stellar career. Last season, Tuttle paced the Leopards with five goals and 11 points on her way to being named Lafayette's Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Tuttle enters her junior season with 10 career goals and two assists.

Fellow junior Alison Hingley and sophomore Jenny Polak offer solid all-around skills that will anchor the Leopard midfield. Hingley, an outside flank midfielder, also has the ability to push forward and contribute to the Leopard offense. Polak will complement Hingley to provide a steadfast and consistent midfield.

"We're going to rely on Jenny for her ball striking abilities, along with her great appetite to win," Statham said. Polak's breakout game in 2005 against Penn included two second-half goals, with the game-winner coming with 8:28 left in the second half.

An experienced defense that was the catalyst of the team last year returns in 2006. Senior midfielder/defender Carolyn Fisher and classmate Trista Burke, a tri-captain, provide the Leopard backfield with experience and reliability. Junior Megan Hillin and sophomore Lauren Hinkel also give the Leopards a steady defensive base. All four were constants on last year's defense, starting in all 17 games. Junior tri-captain Ashley Yelland will be expected to fill leadership roles that Statham says are critical on the field.

Trista Burke

"All three captains have the ability to impact the team in different ways, according to their own strengths and personalities," Statham said. In goal, Lafayette returns junior Mary Kate Erdman, who recorded three shutouts last season on her way to 110 saves to go along with a .786 save percentage. Erdman has tallied 137 saves in her two seasons in goal for the Leopards.

Depth will also be a key for the Leopards in 2006. Senior Jen Chamberlain and junior Brittany Downham will look to provide support to the Lafayette offense, while juniors Ashley Richards and Caitlin Uff add solidity to the backfield.

Lafayette kicks off the 2006 campaign on Sept. 2 against Ivy League foe Cornell. The Leopards then travel to Mount St. Mary's before squaring off against Providence and Towson in the Stony Brook Tournament on Sept. 8 and 10.

Lafayette returns to Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium for back-to-back games against Wagner on Sept. 14 and Iona on Sept. 17. The Leopards continue out-of-conference play with a contest at Monmouth on Sept. 20 and a home game versus St. Peter's, before travelling to Fordham on Sept. 24.

Arch-rival Lehigh opens Patriot League play when the Leopards host the Mountain Hawks on Sept. 30. A final non-league game at Penn precedes an important weekend set of Patriot League home games against defending champion Bucknell and Colgate. The Leopards then hit the road for three consecutive games, including a contest in Worcester, Mass. to face Holy Cross, before a weekend at American and Navy on Oct. 20 and 22, respectively. An Oct. 27 home game against Army ends the Lafayette regular season.

The Patriot League Tournament will be held on Nov. 3 and 5 at the home of the regular season champion.