University of Delaware Athletics
UD Women's Soccer Kicks Off 2012 Season, Hosts Georgetown Sun. (Aug. 17, 2012)
8/17/2012 3:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The earliest opening to the athletics season in Blue Hens history will take place this Sunday, Aug. 19, when the UD women's soccer squad opens its 2012 season against Georgetown University at 1 p.m. at the Delaware Mini-Stadium. Admission is free.
Head coach Scott Grzenda, now in his 23rd season as the only women's soccer head coach in Delaware history, will welcome back 16 letterwinners from last year's team that posted a 10-7-4 record and advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2005.
A total of nine starters and 60 percent of last year's scoring output return for the Blue Hens, who were picked No. 5 in the CAA Pre-Season Coaches Poll announced last week.
“Our kids had a great summer and everyone has come back in shape and ready to play,” said Grzenda, who reached the 200-win milestone last season. “It's been nine months since our last game so we are ready to go. Halfway through last season we felt that we really learned how and to win and realized that we can play with anybody. The players have responded well to the coaches and I think we have put ourselves in the position that if we play the way we are capable of, we can win any time we step on to the field.”
Leading the Blue Hens is one of the top scorers in the region in senior forward Ali Miller, who earned first team All-CAA and all-region honors a year ago when she tied a school single season record with 14 goals, equalling a mark that had stood since 1994.
Also leading the unit are a pair of pre-season All-CAA selections in senior midfielder Tania Domingos and junior midfielder Chelsea Duffy (four goals). Other returning starters include senior defenders Taylor Thompson, Laura Klebe, and Polly Reinicker, junior defender Brittany Bonzano, junior midfielder Dianna Marinaro, and sophomore midfielder Allegra Gray.
The roster also includes 11 promising newcomers, including transfers Kim Bosh (Northern Iowa) at goalkeeper and Kimmy Dahl (Monmouth) at forward and midfield.
Following Sunday's game, the Hens will be off until Aug. 31 when they head to Seton Hall to start a four-game road swing. The CAA opener is set for Sept. 21 vs. Towson.
Georgetown, a member of the Big East Conference, went a 15-6 a year ago and fell to No. 11 West Virginia the Big East Tournament. The Hoyas open their season Friday, Aug. 17, vs. George Washington.
