East Stroudsburg returns Justina Woolf, one of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's top
scorers, and Tiffanie Savacool, one of the better defensive players.
Now, Coach Derek Arneaud has to find midfielders to make his two returning stars effective.
That could make the difference whether the Warriors will bounce back from last year's uncharacteristic
7-10 finish.
"If we don't have good midfielders, Justina doesn't get the ball and an opportunity to score and Tiffanie
doesn't have anyone to pass to when she kick the ball out of the defensive end of the field," said
Arneaud.
Woolf is a three-time All-PSAC first team player and has a career total of 41 goals and 15 assists for 99
points. She scored in a school-record eight straight games last season and finished with 12 goals and two
assists.
That was almost half of the team's total of 26 goals as the Warriors did not have another consistent
scoring threat.
Arneaud searched for scorers in his recruiting efforts and he thinks he has found at least two in Jaime
Mitchell from Muhlenberg High School and local product Katie Melcer from Stroudsburg High School.
Two newcomers from out of state, Sarah Bernard from Vestal, N.Y. High School and Haley Case from
Westhampton Beach, N.Y. High School also could challenge for playing time upfront.
Another freshman, Julie Byrnes is counted to be a key player in the midfield area. She was a three-time
All-League player at Hatboro-Horsham High School.
Gwen Gemberling, the other starting forward last year, is moving back to midfield where she will be joined
by veterans Darlene Estevez and Crystal Kistler.
There is plenty of speed at the outside midfield positions in letter-winners Kelly Gunther, Deirdre Durkin
and Lauren DeRewel and freshman Angela Weikel. Gunther was a three-year starter who missed last season
because of an injury.
Savacool, named the team's outstanding player last year, will anchor the defense from her sweeper back
position.
Also returning on defense are starting outside back Jen Amos and three-year starting sweeper Michelle Loh,
who was sidelined last year because of injuries. Both have earned All-PSAC honors during their careers.
Three players who red-shirted last year, Colleen Gallagher and Tonna Moore and Sarah Sysock, could fit
into the picture on the backline.
Arneaud also will be looking to his freshman class and in particular, Heather McMillan, Erin Wall and
Lauren Raneiri for help on defense.
The goalie position is set with sophomore Lindsay Vandegrift, who shared duties last year with two
seniors, taking over the starter. She allowed 14 goals in ten games last season and posted a 1.86
goal-against average.
Christina Sandvig from Somerville, N.J. High School is a talented freshman goalie who could see action.
"We have much depth than last year; we worked hard recruiting and brought in 17 freshmen," Arneaud said.
"We're counting on some of them starting and making an immediate impact. If they do,
we could surprise some people," he added.
The Warriors will play a 19-game schedule including 11 conference contests. They will open the season
against St. Anselm's in the St. Michael's Tournament Sept. 1.
This will be the tenth season of ESU women's soccer. The Warriors won the first PSAC championship
in 1994 and also were the conference champions in 1997. They finished second in 1998.
ESU Home... Pete Nevins , Sports Information Director
Updated 8/2/00