Oneonta State women's soccer will get a shot at revenge after almost two years at 5:30 p.m. today.
The Red Dragons start their 2008 schedule at the Roanoke Invitational in Virginia, where they will open the two-day tournament against Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins spoiled Oneonta's 2006 season opener with a 1-0 victory.
Coached by O-State and Stamford Central graduate Liz McGrail for the second straight season, Oneonta is looking to return to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 10th consecutive year. The Red Dragons, who won the national title in 2003, bowed out of the NCAAs last season with a 2-1 loss to Endicott College in the first round.
Oneonta, 17-4-1 a year ago, will rely on the senior all-conference midfield trio of Christine Marra, Beth Cherry and Lindsey Brechbiel to lead the team after losing Mary Velan to graduation. Also a Stamford graduate, Velan finished as the program's all-time leader in goals, assists and points.
Marra had 11 goals and six assists for 28 points last fall, when Cherry and Brechbiel scored six apiece.
Sophomores Allison Siegel (midfield) and Caitlin Burke (forward) also return for the Red Dragons, who graduated two-year starting goalie Jeannine Marra. Sophomore Kayla Murphy, who will take over for Marra, made six saves and allowed one goal as the back-up last season.
Volleyball
Oneonta returns five of six starters and looks to improve on last season's 18-21 record when it hosts the Red Dragon Invitational today and Saturday. Oneonta meets Oswego at 3 p.m. today, then plays St. Lawrence at 7 p.m.
Senior setter Jessica Ptasnick led the team with 678 assists and 64 aces as a junior. Classmate Denise Hardy is back after leading the team with 91 blocks last fall. The Red Dragons also feature returners Caitlin Ross, a senior, along juniors Sarah Petrignani and Christine LaGuardia.
Field Hockey
Oneonta opens against Alvernia at 3 p.m. Saturday in a two-day home tournament that also features St. Lawrence and Utica College.
The Red Dragons, who also play St. Lawrence at 3 p.m. Sunday, return their top three scorers from last fall. Sophomore Ainsley Stoll had a team-best 13 goals and three assists for 29 points. Junior Kathryn Kubaryk finished with 11 goals and one assist, and senior Somer Shuffield had six goals and three assists. All three earned all-conference honors in 2007, when Oneonta finished 10-9.
Senior Erika Dombkowski is back for her third season as starting goalie. She had a 2.04 goals against average last year and anchors a defense that includes junior Jenn Cabana.
Men's Soccer
The Red Dragons, 14-6 a year ago, open against visiting Farmingdale at noon Saturday.
Sophomore forward Larry Pestana returns as the top scorer from last season, when he finished with 12 points on four goals and four assists. Classmate Danny Bruh, who scored four goals as a rookie, will join Pestana up front.
Twin brothers Yfran and Yan Garcia are back for a defense that will protect junior goalie Jonathan Korn.
Women's Tennis
After going 11-3 last season, Oneonta begins its 2008 schedule at New Paltz at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against Plattsburgh.
Junior Katie Wlodarczyk returns to the No. 1 singles and doubles spot after going 6-7 and 9-5, respectively, last season. O-State also returns sophomore Emily Shannon (8-6 singles, 9-5 doubles last year), senior Allison Pearlman (9-3 singles) and sophomore Ashley Sears (10-5 doubles).
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