Susquehanna Women's Soccer

2008 Program Overview

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University women's soccer will be led by third-year head coach Kathy Kroupa in 2008. The team finished with a record of 6-10-1 in 2007, including a 1-4-1 record in the newly formed Landmark Conference. The Crusaders started off the year on fire, winning their first three games by a combined score of 9-2.

Although the team was composed of less than a handful of seniors, the team had enough leadership to excel both on- and off-the-field.

Three Crusaders garnered selection to the first-ever all–Landmark Conference women's soccer team, including first-teamer and 2008 tri-captain Kelly Davitt '09 (Hampton, N.J./North Hunterdon) and second-teamers Abby Montgomery '10 (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) and 2008 tri-captain Jess Eickhoff '09 (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury). In addition, an SU-high 14 women's soccer players earned spots on the 2007 Landmark fall academic honor roll, including Laura Haldeman '08, who was also honored with inclusion on the 2007 Landmark fall all-academic team. Moreover, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America also honored the entire SU women's soccer team with an academic team award for the fourth straight year. Susquehanna is one of only 72 schools nationwide to have both its men's and women's 2007 soccer teams earn this honor.

Davitt (right) started every game last year and registered two assists while helping to lead the defense. Eickhoff controlled play from the midfield position. She played in 16 games, making 15 starts. Montgomery played in all 17 games for the Crusaders and made 11 starts. Her three goals, two assists and eight points all tied for the team lead. Karen Florio '09 (Fair Haven, N.J. /Rumson-Fair Haven) put up the same numbers last year.

Meredith Tompeck '09 (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (below), a 2008 tri-captain, started all 17 games in goal for SU in 2007, registered 77 saves and was part of six shutouts. Tompeck is one of nine returning seniors in 2008, including Eickhoff, Florio, Davitt, Katelyn Deese '09 (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley), Caitlin Jenkins '09 (Blakely, Pa./Valley View), Kirsten Sands '09 (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent), Becky Smedley '09 (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield) and Amber Welborn '09 (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville).

Deese was a defensive catalyst in 2007 who played in 16 games for the Crusaders, starting 15 of them. Jenkins provides depth and experience at the midfield position. Sands is another veteran midfielder. She appeared in all 17 games last year and started 16 of them. Smedley is a three-year letterwinner who also played in every game in 2007. Welborn brings even more experience to the middle of the field for the Crusaders. She appeared in 13 games last season and aims to earn her fourth varsity letter in 2008.