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CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
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DATE: Thurs., Sept. 1, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Soccer

Return of three all-conference players fuels optimism

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- With the return of three all-conference players, head coach Chris Case has reason for optimism heading into the Blue Devils' season-opener Sept. 3 at St. Mary's Md..

Seniors Jessica Weiser and Anita Salinas, and sophomore Danielle Bleecker were All SUNYAC honorable mention selections in 2004. They will be joined by five other returning starters from a 8-8-2 teams. The Blue Devils were 4-5-1 in the State University of New York Athletic Conference.

Weiser entered the regular season poised to become Fredonia State’s all-time leading scorer. With 54 points over her first three seasons, she’s seven points back of all-time leader -- and former Blue Devil teammate -- Jennifer Robinson. In addition, Weiser needs one more goal to tie Amy Zeiser and Beth Mangino for school record of 24 career goals.

The other returning forwards are Jamie Pricola, Amy Wenzel, and Danielle Rawcliffe.

Salinas is a two-time all-conference selection who, until last season, was also on pace to crack into the top five of Fredonia State scoring leaders. She has excelled as an attacking midfielder in her three previous seasons, but Case now has a notion to move her to a more forward position to take advantage of her scoring ability (12 goals combined in her freshman and sophomore seasons). Her 35 points is 10th on the all-time Fredonia State scoring list.

Bleecker is coming off an outstanding freshman season as the Blue Devils’ best defender. In fact, when she went down with an ankle injury late in the season, opponents had more scoring chances because they no longer had to contend with her height in the box. Nonetheless, the Blue Devil defense still managed to hold opponents to just 25 goals all season.

The entire back foursome of Bleecker, juniors Abbey Saxby and Jessi Poliseno, and sophomore Linsay Kulas return.

“I think the back four,” Case said, “might be the strongest part of our team. Each defender is solid. Their ability to work together as a unit will make it tough on opponents this fall. We have also added several talented freshmen who could earn a starting spot.”

A freshman will also likely start in goal with Becky Scroger seen by Case as the successor of four-year starter Brianna Falvey.

In addition, Case will need a replacement for two-time All-SUNYAC midfielder Katie Remus. With 20 points last season, Remus was second on the team in scoring -- Weiser was first with 24 points -- and finished with a four-year total of 60 points, one behind all-time leader Robinson.

Remus’s graduation leaves senior Erin Schurr as the most experienced of the returning midfielders. The next-most experienced player is sophomore Jessica Weinberger, who appeared in 16 games as a freshman, three as a starter. Sophomores Aimee O’Neill and Janette Westman appeared in seven and three games, respectively.

Case said newcomers Kaelyn Puidokas, Angela Picardo, and Megan Gecei have the potential to push for starting time in the midfield.

The Blue Devils are No. 6 in the SUNYAC preseason coaches’ poll.

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