Record Season for Women's Soccer

By: David Ellison

Posted: 11/15/06

David Ellison recaps the Lady Jaspers 2006 magical soccer season

The women's soccer team was picked to finish seventh in the Mid Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) this season in the Coach's Preseason Poll. They exceeded that expectation by finishing fifth, and just missing out of the MAAC tournament. They ended the season with a 12-5-2 record, their most successful season in team history.

The Lady Jaspers started the season with six straight victories; the first five being shutouts, both team records. They were able to end the season on a strong point when they ended Loyola's 45 game winning streak in the MAAC division. They won with a goal on a penalty kick by Katie Kuntz, senior, in a thrilling double overtime finish. It was their 12th win of the year, a program record. They ended with a 4-3-2 against teams from the MAAC.

Kuntz was named First Team All-MAAC, and freshman Alexandra Konneker was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team. Kuntz, who was Second Team All-MAAC last year, lead the Lady Jaspers with 11 goals and 24 points, which was good for fourth best in the MAAC.

Konneker had five goals, the most of any freshman on the team. Konneker was named MAAC Rookie of the Week for the week of September 5; scoring two goals in Manhattan's 4-0 win over the University at Albany.

"It feels great to help contribute to the growth and success of the program, hopefully we will continue to improve and make a run in the playoffs next year." Konneker said.

In addition, Kuntz and Viviane Masters, sophomore, were named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams. It was the first time the program had student-athletes on the team since the 2001 season. Kuntz, a Communications major, had a 3.93 grade point average.

Masters has a 4.00 grade point average double majoring in history and French. She was a vital asset to the team's defense, which had seven shutouts. She started all 19 games.

"I am proud that I can be part of this program's turn around. This year was like being on a whole new team. The seniors were great leaders and examples, our coaches were always supportive and challenging us to get better. It took everyone's faith in ourselves, as individuals and as a team, to believe that we could achieve all that we did," said Masters.

There were eight Lady Jaspers named to the MAAC All-Academic team. Christine Abrams, Nicole Conti, Meghan Dobson, Brittany Duhamel, Courtney Hughes, Erin Kennedy, Katie Kuntz, and Viviane Masters all qualified for the honor which requires a player to be a significant starter or reserve, with two semesters completed at their school, and a cumulative grade point average between 3.20 and 4.00.

Sophomore Brittany Duhamel received the award for the first time saying, "It feels pretty good to be named to the All-Academic team. Being acknowledged for the hard work is quite an honor."

The team did not make the MAAC tournament, finishing just two points behind the last qualifier, Siena, and will be determined to be in the hunt next season. They have made great strides and became a force in the MAAC by doubling their win total from last year.

Duhamel concluded, "It was an awesome season, a definite improvement from last year. We're looking to come back even stronger next year and with the girls we have I know that it's a possible goal."