Women's Soccer—Season Overview

The Colby College women's soccer team played the best soccer of the season in the final three regular season games to make the New England Small College Athletic Conference playoffs.

The Mules finished the season at 7-7-1 overall, including a 5-2 record in home games. Colby started its stretch of good soccer with a huge 1-0 NESCAC win over Hamilton on the Colby Soccer Field. The Mules lost the next game, but played very competitively in a tough 2-1 loss at powerhouse Williams. Colby then clinched the playoff spot with a 1-0 road win at rival Bates.

Alex Yorke, an All-New England selection for the Mules, scored the lone goal in the win against Bates. Nikki Pickering led the Mules in scoring with four goals, including one in a 1-0 win over Connecticut College, and one assist for nine points. Cami Notaro had a fine first season with Colby, with all three of her goals coming in close victories. Maddie Tight (2 goals, 1 assist) and Kate Laxson (1 goal, 3 assists) both had five points.

First-year goalkeeper Emily Brook and the defense of Kat McCarrick, Emily Moos, Kate Pistel, and Grace Dickinson helped post seven shutouts in 15 games. The team record for shutouts is eight. Brook played every minute in net for the Mules.

Colby College women's soccer coach Jen Holsten heads into the 2011 season with one of her better recruiting classes in her 18 years and some key players back from last year.
 
Sam Merriweather (3 goals) is back at forward along with Annie Papadellis (2 assists), Nicki Pickering, Emily Anderson, Alex Merriweather, Crysti Tsujiura, and Christina Damon. Simmons, Alex Merriweather, and Emily Moos are the captains for Holsten.
 
Senior midfielder Marissa Simmons, the leading scorer for Colby a year ago, returns after scoring five goals and dishing one assist. Carly Dee (2 goals, 1 assist), Alex Yorke (1 goal, 1 assist), Kate Laxson, and Julia Blumenstyk also return in the midfield.
 
Holsten's recruiting class is loaded with midfield talent. Cami Notaro, Hallie Hesslein, Ruthie Hawley, Amanda Findlay, Maddie Tight, and Hillary Howe are all listed as midfielders. Abby Hatch can play in the midfield or on the forward line.
 
The midfield depth will allow Holsten to move two of her better players back on defense. Junior Kate Pistel and Moos both move from the midfield to take over key roles as backs. Meanwhile, Kat McCarrick and Grace Dickinson both return as starters on defense.
 
Holsten has had success making changes to bolster her defense. Su-Lin Del Guercio, who is now an assistant coach for the Mules, started her Colby career as a midfielder before becoming a three-time All-New England defender.
 
First-year goaltender Emily Brook will likely get the start in goal, while junior keeper Eliza Larson is playing with the Mules (5-6-3) for the first time. Jayde Bennett, who started for the Mules last year, is sitting out the season after knee surgery.