2011 Soccer Outlook

2011 Soccer Outlook

An experienced squad will take the field in 2011 under second year head coach Mike Joyce as the Saint Mary’s soccer team looks to move back toward the top of the MIAA this fall. With the graduation of just one senior, the Belles will return a group of players that has nearly 300 combined starts in their collegiate careers in the past three seasons.

Hoping to lead the way for the Belles in 2011 will be Katelyn Tondo-Steele ’12. The senior led the team in goals scored last season. Rejoining her are fellow goal-scorers Mollie Valencia ’14, Maddie Meckes ’13, Keely Noonan ’12, Jordan Diffenderfer ’14, and Taylor Paton ’12. Valencia, who had three goals and two assists in her rookie season with the Belles, was named to the All-MIAA Second Team at the conclusion of the season in 2010. She became just the fourth freshman to earn All-MIAA honors in the history of the program.

In the past 13 years of MIAA membership, the Saint Mary’s soccer team has had 11 different athletes honored with All-MIAA accolades a total of 20 times. Moreover, a member of the Belles soccer team has been an All-MIAA honoree at the end of the season in each of the past ten years.