New Players Brought Talent to Lady Baron Soccer

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – There was evident improvement in 2011 for Franciscan University's Lady Baron soccer team, finishing overall with a .500 season record and tallying five shutouts over its opponents. Wrapping up with an 8-8 overall standing and 4-5 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, the Lady Barons improved over their 5-10-2 (2-5-2 AMCC) 2010 season.

"The new players on the team this year were great additions and really helped the team improve," said assistant coach Billy Herrmann. "Katie Roemer, a sophomore transfer, and Jackie Lon, a senior, were both great additions and started for the team the whole season; Julia Cocozza and Ashley Ruttencutter, two freshmen, are also players with a lot of talent who really added to the team."

Cocozza finished at the top for the Lady Barons, starting in all 15 games she played. She tallied eight goals and three assists for the season, earning her Second Team All-Conference honors. Ruttencutter followed close behind, also starting each of her 15 games and totaling 18 points for the Lady Barons.

Wintersville, Ohio native Amanda Looman finished at the number two spot for 2011 Lady Baron statistics, playing 16 games—and starting 10—while earning 19 points off of 35 shots. Looman was given Third Team All-Conference honors by the AMCC.

As the season progressed, the Lady Barons focused on trying to keep a consistent intensity throughout their games. It served as great learning lesson in the eyes of Coach Herrmann. "Next season the women will remember to continue to play strong till the end."

Herrmann also noted the improvement of freshman Margaret Beigel. Shifting around on offense and defense, Beigel played in 15 games and assisted three goals while also earning a goal herself.

Defenders Clare Smith and Lauren Koath were recognized by the AMCC with Third Team All-Conference honors. Koath, a sophomore, will return as a junior Lady Baron next season. Smith graduates this spring.

Coach Herrmann hopes the wins Franciscan's women's soccer team received this year will provide motivation to train even harder to next season. Wrapping up in seventh place in the AMCC, the Lady Barons look to improve to a higher level of competition in 2012.