HAMBURG, N.Y. - As the Hawks prepare for the 2013 women’s soccer season, one thing is certain. Kelly Starchok, in her third season with the program, has added fight and passion to the program. The grit and desire the rookies bring will allow the upper classmen to focus on the other intangible skills and attributes Hilbert is known for on the pitch.
The Hawks return four seniors, two of which had suffered season ending injuries earlier their career. Robbi Bailey and Sarah Schmidt are hungry to end their soccer careers on high-notes. They each rehabbed an ACL injury (2011-Bailey; 2012-Schmidt) and are capable of giving one-hundred percent 100% of the time. They, along with Amber Bailey will finish their four-year career in November with expectations of carrying the Hawks back into the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play-offs again. Mary Mabon will also end her two-year career in the royal and white and she also plays her heart out with every stride on the field.
Joining Mabon again on defense will be junior Beana Cline and sophomore Caitlyn Taruiello. Providing support in front of the frame will be first-year players: Julianne Spring, Chelsea Olson, Taylor Willett and Lauren Bugaj.
Schmidt, Amber Bailey, and sophomores Sara Wagner and Kaitlyn Layman return in the midfield. They, along with Courtney Vaccaro, Jackie Morgan, and Barrett Armstrong will battle for ball possession and game control.
The Hawks expect that Robbi Bailey and junior Megan Van Norman along with sophomore Ariana Scheidt and freshmen Imarie Waller Amanda Weiner and will get good looks at the net and can capitalize on their foot speed and skill to score often.
Sophomore Erin Smith and freshman Grace Adams will compete for time in goal for the Hawks.
Hilbert opens the season at Oberlin College September 2 and will host Alfred University September 7th in their home opener (3pm). The Hawks’ other non-conference opponents are Cazenovia (home, Sep 10), Hiram (away, Sep 14), Thiel (away, Sep 19), Alfred State (home, Sep 21) and Wells (home, Sep 25). They begin their AMCC schedule the last weekend of September and squeeze in the nine league games before the AMCC play-offs begin November 2nd.
The Hawks four seniors will be honored in pre-game activities during their Senior Game against Penn State Altoona on October 19th at 3pm.