2012 Season Snap-shot
The 2012 women’s soccer team continued to show signs of improvement under Kelly Starchok’s second-season leadership. The Hawks’ underclassmen gained valuable playing experiences alongside the seven seniors due to a season-ending injury to a key midfielder this season. Hilbert finished with a 2-13-1 overall record.
Seniors Nicole Blair, Maria Delmonaco, Rebecca Elensky, Amber Grosch, Jessica Morey and Katie Newton left their mark on the program through their hard work and dedication over the course of their four seasons. Crystal Errington joined the program her senior year and she provided positive leadership for the younger players.
Hilbert opened the season at the annual Potsdam Cup Tournament before classes began in September. The Hawks split their games with a first round loss to the host institution before they rebounded in the 3-0 victory over Green Mountain College. Hilbert dropped few non-conference games before they earned a solid victory over Penn State Beaver. Eleven different players grabbed points in the 11-0 win giving the Hawks a 2-4 overall record at that point.
In the 2-1 loss to Thiel, Hilbert learned to compete without junior Sarah Schmidt who suffered her season ending injury two games prior. Without the middie on the field running the offense, Hilbert’s point production fell and they finished their season without a win, scoring only 4 goals the rest of the way.
The seniors in the program will be hard to replace, but coach Starchok has a capable and talented core group of returning players. With four of the team’s Top five scorers from the 2012 season returning, the Hawks should be in good shape next season. Juniors Mary Mabon, Robbi Bailey and freshman Kaitlyn Layman combined for 26 of the team’s 53 points and Schmidt should return to the pitch after a year of rehabilitation on her knee injury.
Also netting at least one goal this year were Allyson Kelchlin (2), Nicole Blair, Maria Delmonaco, Sarah Schmidt, Megan Van Norman, Amber Bailey, Sara Wagner and Caitlyn Tauriello who each scored once.
Blair, Morey, Grosch and Delmonaco will be difficult to replace on the back end as they provided consistent defense. They not only stopped the opponent’s offensive push, but they created strong outlet passes, even jumping up into the rush every now and then. Elensky (2 assists) and Newton covered the middle of the field setting up the offense attack and Errington used her speed to get to the frame.
Freshman Erin Smith started 13 games for the Hawks in goal posting 71 saves and a .717 GAA with one shut-out. Ariana Scheidt shared time in net making 35 saves also earning one shut-out in her rookie campaign.
Coach Starchok looks forward to what the future brings to the Hilbert College women’s soccer program. She and her staff will continue to bring in exceptional student-athletes who can balance the athletic and academic demands at Hilbert College while they challenge for an AMCC championship.