Nicole Poli, Heather Mortell, Elyse Gauvin, and Shannon Pescatello
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Western New England College women’s soccer team
Ron Dias announced Friday (July 23) that seniors
Nicole Poli (Medfield, MA),
Heather Mortell (Webster, MA),
Elyse Gauvin (Swansea, MA), and
Shannon Pescatello (Wethersfield, CT) will serve as team captains for the 2010 season.
The Golden Bears were bolstered by a second half surge last year to finish with a 10-9-2 record and 7-5-1 mark in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC). Dias is confident that the four can lead his team back to the conference tournament, who fell to top seeded Endicott in the finals last season.
“This group of senior captains will bring a collective spirit that hopefully will translate into a very competitive team and season,” noted Dias. “I think that these four young women will work well together and more importantly they are determined to return to the conference final.”
Poli, a defender, anchored a strong defensive unit that compiled nine shutouts and only 24 goals allowed in 2009. A Psychology major, she was named the Western New England College Coca-Cola Female Athlete-of-the-Year and WNEC Defensive Player-of-the-Year.
She was also selected to the All-TCCC Second Team, and New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) All-New England Division III Third Team.
Poli is also a starting defender on the women’s lacrosse squad.
"Nicole is a wonderful two-sport athlete and she brings a lot of grit and hard nose defending to the mix. She will be our defensive leader,” said Dias.
Mortell, a forward, led the Golden Bears in scoring with nine goals and seven assists for 25 points and has led the team in scoring since her freshman year (31 goals, 15 assists, 77 points). She received the WNEC Offensive Player-of-the-Year and was an All-TCCC Honorable Mention.
A Biomedical Engineering major, she was also named to the conference Academic squad and
ESPN the Magazine College District 1 Academic Third Team.
“Heather is a proven goal scorer and she will be counted on to lead our offensive trust,” said Dias. “She is a hard worker and her work ethic will hopefully be respected and emulated by our forwards.”
Gauvin, a midfielder, appeared in 16 contests in a reserve role last year. She will challenge for a starting spot this fall.
“Elyse is also a two-sport athlete who is a consummate team player,” said Dias. “She is willing to do whatever it takes to earn playing time. That enthusiasm hopefully will spread to the whole team."
Gauvin is also a member of the softball team. She is a Psychology major.
Pescatello, a midfielder, started all 21 games for the Golden Bears and contributed two goals and five assists (nine points) to finish third in scoring. Also a Psychology major, she was also selected to the conference Academic team.
“Shannon is our go to center midfielder,” explained Dias. “She will be the one we count on to spread the ball around when we have possession. She will be the pivot point for the team both on and off the field.”
Western New England College opens its 2010 season with a five-game homestand beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 1 against UMass Boston at 4 p.m.
The Golden Bears then host Elms, Allegheny (Pa.), city rival Springfield, and TCCC opponent New England College.