The 2015 Clarion women's soccer team begins its second season under head coach Sean Esterhuizen on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7pm at Memorial Stadium with high hopes of an improved 2015 soccer campaign.
 
                The Golden Eagles were 3-11 -2 last year overall and in the PSAC, as all games were against PSAC opponents. Clarion opened 2014 with a 1-0 win over Bloomsburg, plus defeated Pitt-Johnstown 4-0 and posted their third win mid-season over Mansfield 2-0. Two ties were a 0-0 contest versus Shippensburg and a 0-0 tied against Mercyhurst in the next to last game of the year. Close 1-0 losses to highly regarded West Chester and Slippery Rock show the Eagles are very competitive in the PSAC.
 
                "We have a very young team coming into 2015 with high aspirations," said Esterhuizen. "They worked very hard in the off season and have arrived in great shape ready to go. Our leadership is strong and focused for the coming season."
 
                The team will look to captains Alissa Spencer (D, Jr. Sewell, N.J.), Aubrey Monte (F, Jr. Beaver), Stephanie Sikora (MF, Jr. Vandergrift/Kiski) and Kelly Antonucci (F, Sr. Penn Hills) to provide leadership throughout the season.
 
                Spencer, an outstanding center-back according to Esterhuizen, played every minute last season and scored a goal, the game winner, against Mansfield.
 
                Monte, a versatile striker, midfielder or defender, played in 14 games last year and started 9. She will play the a wing to help the Eagles create more scoring opportunities.
 
                Sikora, a creative midfielder, started all 16 games last year and assisted on 2 goals, but has been moved to the back four to solidify the defense with her experience.
 
                Antonucci, who played in 14 games, scored a goal last year against Pitt-johnstown and is expected to contribute as a strike with her creative and dangerous cross field runs.
 
                Veterans expected to log plenty of time include McKenzie Sheesley (MF, Jr. Aurora, Il.) Taylor Starr (MF, So. Allison Park/Hampton) and Alexa Stubenrauch (MF, Jr. Mount Joy/Donegal).
 
                Sheesley played in 15 games in 2014 and posted 10 shots.
 
                Starr, a defensive midfielder who was the team's "Rookie of the Year" in 2014, posted 2 goals and 1 assist while starting all 16 games. Her goals came against Lock Haven and Pitt-johnstown.
 
                Stubenrauch, who also played in 16 games, is known as a strong defensive midfielder.
 
                Also returning are Anna Chamberlin (F, So., Milford) and Aaliyah Odom (F, So. Plum) at the center forward spot. Chamberlin scored 2 goals last year, including the game winner against Bloomsburg and one against Mansfield. She also added an assist in playing 16 games, starting 15. Odom scored a goal against Pitt-Johnstown.
 
                Talented newcomers include Brieann Cook (F. So. Penn Hills), Krista Mosi (GK, Fr. South Park), Veronika Noyszewski (D, Fr. Bartlett, Il.), Marina Kelly (MF, so., Whitman, Mass.) and Charlotte Allen (MF, Fr. Toronto, Canada).
 
                Cook, who red-shirted last year, is "expected to be a dominant striking force," according to Esterhuizen. She scored 88 goals at Penn Hills.
 
                Mosi, a quality goalkeeper from South Park, was an All-state choice her senior year and posted 9 shutouts. She helped her team to 4 straight Section titles. Says Esterhuizen, "Krista is an accomplished keeper with all the tools to be one of the best in the PSAC."
 
                Noyszewski, a freshman from just outside of Chicago, helped her team ()South Elgin) win regional titles in 2013 and 2014. She is expected to contribute in defense or midfield.
 
                Kelly, a sophomore transfer from UMASS – Boston, scored 9 goals and handed out 11 assists to lead her team and was a second team all-conference selection. Esterhuizen is looking for Marina to make a strong impact this season.
 
                Allen, a freshman from Toronto, Canada, was a multi-sport standout at Sir Oliver Movat high and is a skilled central midfielder expected to have an immediate impact.
 
                "Our team is very hungry and determined to have a quality season in 2015," said Esterhuizen. "I think with strong leadership from our veterans and a strong recruiting class, we are ready to be very competitive in the tough PSAC."
 
                CLARION NOTES:  Following the opener against Edinboro, Clarion hosts IUP on Saturday, September 5 at 1pm then goes on the road for the first time this season to visit Pitt-Johnstown on Sept. 9 at 4pm… Other home contests are vs Mercyhurst on S-15 (7pm); E. Stroudsburg on S-26 (2pm); Ashland on S-29 (4pm), Gannon on Oct 7 (7pm), Kutztown on Oct. 10 (1pm); Shippensburg on Oct. 18 (1pm), Malone on Oct. 20 (4pm) and West Chester on Oct. 24 (1pm).