Aug. 19, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Georgetown head coach Dave Nolan leads his Georgetown team into the 2009 season, hoping to build on a record-setting 2008. Last year, the Hoyas received votes in the final national polls after winning their most games ever in conference play and reaching the league tournament for the fourth time in five years.

GU lost five players, three starters from last season's team, but return six players that have received BIG EAST honors over the last two years; Ingrid Wells, Toni Marie Hudson, Sara Jordan, Kelly D'Ambrisi, Jackie DesJardin and Caitlin Durkee.

Overall, the Hoyas return seven of their top eight scorers from a season ago along with a solid defensive corps and goalkeeper. Those returnees, mixed with a talented recruiting class and belief in a common goal should create a winning program on the Hilltop once again this season.

Forwards

After earning second team all-conference honors last season and tying the single-season record with 10 goals, Hudson should expect to see more defenses focus on her due to her deadly finishing ability. She currently sits ninth on the all-time goal-scoring list and with another stellar season could rank among the most prolific offensive players in GU history.

Jordan's return from an early-season injury last year is a big boost for the offense. Regaining a creative and experienced goal-scorer that could break every career offensive record can only improve a GU attack that averaged over two goals per contest last season.

Samantha Baker, last season's leading scorer for GU, will be used out on the wings and is extremely dangerous on set pieces. Her ability to deliver long throw-ins helped her become a huge offensive threat as she delivered 10 assists and she also had a knack for scoring big goals as she led the team with four game-winners.

Sophomore Camille Trujillo steadily improved all season and was one of the stronger players on the team when 2008 ended. A spark off the bench, she finished fourth on the team in goals due to her strong soccer sense and tools around the goal.

Midfielders

Midfield could be the strongest area of the Georgetown team this upcoming season with the return of Wells, the 2007 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. She will team with two fellow BIG EAST honorees, Durkee and D'Ambrisi. With three of the team's top players in the middle of the pitch, this group of young players should create opportunities and cash in on them as well.

Wells re-wrote the record books in her freshman season and was a NSCAA/adidas All-American, the first Hoya to ever earn those honors. The "little general" brings an extra dimension to the offense with her ability to play passes, take defenders off the dribble and raise the tempo on both ends of the field.

D'Ambrisi will join her in the midfield attack after finishing third on the team in points last year and being named a Freshman All-American. Her ability to score goals as well as create them could help her become one of the better offensive players in the conference.

At defensive midfield, Durkee has been solid in this role for the past two seasons. The sophomore showed off her underrated passing ability last season as she dished out 10 assists and is dangerous on set pieces. Her ability to read the game defensively is a byproduct of her hard work on, and off, the field.

GU will also use junior Amy Speck, senior Erika Roberts and freshman Mollie Curran in the flanker/defensive midfield role. Speck improved over the off-season and gained some confidence to match her vision for things on the field of play. Roberts' attitude, work rate and experience provide another component to the midfield area and Curran provides depth and flexibility on the right side and another technical player for Coach Nolan to call on.

Marissa Wing's size and strength gives GU another option at that spot, newcomer Claire Fuselier has the physical gifts and attitude necessary to contribute and Katie Wing has shown the versatility to play on the offensive side as well as the defensive side.

Defense

Three of the four starters from last year's defensive unit return as senior Norah Swanson, junior Michaela Buonomo and freshman Gabby Miller helped compose a backline that allowed only 14 goals (0.70 per contest), a Georgetown team record. With the addition of a handful of newcomers, the unit could be even better this season due to their mix of experience and talent

Miller followed in Buonomo's footsteps during her freshman campaign, earning Freshman All-Region honors and developing into a solid center back. The duo teamed together last season and stopped many an opposing attack with their defensive prowess and tenacity.

Newcomer Catherine Cabot could make it three consecutive years for a GU defender to attain freshman honors as she looks to gain a spot in the backfield for the Hoyas. Her height also makes her a dangerous threat on set pieces offensively. Christina O'Tousa could see time at center back but is very versatile and may move out to a wing or up to the midfield.

At right back, Swanson will be asked to hold down the position. A veteran of 48 games over the last three seasons, Swanson continues to improve day-by-day. Her emergence as a leader on this team has been evident in preseason action.

On the left side, the departure of Laura Snyder has created an opportunity for one of the new players to step up and gain a starting spot. Fairfield transfer Kelly Steele and freshman Claire Magliola. Steele brings experience from two NCAA Tournament qualifying seasons and her athleticism could see her snag the starting spot. Meanwhile, Magliola can provide balance and her ability to play on the left side means she could come in straight away and make an impact.

Goalkeepers

Junior goalkeeper Jackie DesJardin has emerged as one of the top goaltenders in the conference after being named a NSCAA Regional All-American last season. Her nine shutouts last season broke her own Georgetown single-season record and she currently holds the career goals-against-average record allowing 0.76 goals per contest

Sophomore Elizabeth Hanna holds down the backup spot after gaining a year of seasoning and freshmen goalkeepers Kristen Insana and Hanna Monson will provide competition in practice and provide talented alternatives between the pipes.

Schedule

A perennial national power (Santa Clara) and a NCAA regional semifinalist (James Madison) will highlight a non-conference slate that also features two local rivalries (American and George Washington). In BIG EAST play, the team will go up against seven of the top nine teams from a season ago, including National Runners-up Notre Dame and NCAA Tournament participants, Rutgers and West Virginia. The Hoyas will also play Villanova, Rutgers, Connecticut and Louisville in conference action.