Last year the Women’s Soccer team finished with a final record of 7-8 and one draw, after loosing to Burlington in the District XIX post-season tournament’s championship game, 1-2 (OT).
During the summer Mercer’s women’s soccer program was able to pick up a couple key recruits including team captain and forward Nicole Tarfow (#20) of Nottingham, and forward Chelsea Pitonyka (#5) of Steinert, to pair with key returner, mid-fielder Sam Biondi (#18) of Steinert who looks to bring some experience to the mostly freshmen squad.
The Lady Vikings are currently have a 0-4 start to their 2011-2012 season after loosing to Montgomery of Rockville, Maryland off of a last minute goal on Sunday, September 11 in their most recent home game (2-3). Rockville is just 23 miles away from the Pentagon that was attacked on September 11 ten years earlier. In remembrance of those who lost their lives on that day Mercer allowed 30 girls from the 12 and under local rec leagues to walk out with Mercer’s starters, and after the flag ceremony everyone joined in a moment of silence.
First year coach and former Mercer tri-athlete, Michelle Ogborn-Haywood is optimistic about the remainder of the season. She says, “We are building right now and once it clicks we’ll be good.”
The women’s team has lately faced a number of injuries. “We play with11 but right now we only have eight girls that are completely healthy, and we are playing teams with over 20 active players so that catches up to you in a long game.” Ogborn-Haywood said.
Among the injured is sophomore defender Irene Calabria (#17) from Spain, who pulled her groin in practice one week into the regular season. Coach Ogborn-Haywood is expecting her to be able to play again sometime around September 19. The women’s next home game is on Thursday, September 15 versus Bucks County College.
