LU women's soccer squad shaping up well

Laurentian Voyageurs women's soccer coach Rob Gallo is seldom, if ever, completely satisfied. Yet as he looks out upon the team that will attempt to qualify for the OUA playoffs for a eighth consecutive year, Gallo sees far more positives than concerns.

The addition of impact talent in back to back recruiting classes, joining a core of veteran leadership, has left the only coach the team has ever known feeling cautiously optimistic in terms of improving on a 6-8-2 season in 2014 that secured the final playoff berth, just one point ahead of the Ryerson Rams.

"Our biggest difficulty, last year, was dealing with the loss of Amy Pitton to graduation," said Gallo. "We struggled to find some stability in the back four, in large part due to breakdowns in the middle of the pitch. We had to solidify that."

Part of the issue was youth, plain and simple.

While fullbacks Heather Gilbert and Ally Pilon both secured spots on the OUA East All-Rookie teams in 2013/2014, the fact is that they enter this season as third and second year players only.

Lockerby Composite graduates Gabby Conrad and Amy Fitzgerald bring some valuable experience to the interior of the back-line, with sophomore Megan Gallo expected to continue to push for playing time.

The surprise of 2014, walk-on Samantha Selkirk, returns to a midfield crew that also welcomes back Amanda Norrie, Carlee Parisotto, Amanda Kwan and Alex Ross. Sara Fitzgerald moves from defender to mid, while highly-touted freshmen Catherine Rocca and Brianne Rodrigue provide much-needed depth.

"The ball movement, from the backs, through the midfield, and on to our forwards, is better," said Gallo. "Last year's group coming in, and adding the pieces from this year, has given us more technical players, and better passing ability as a unit. Now it's the whole linkage."

A costly ACL injury will keep prized recruit Mia Degasperis on the sidelines for her first year at Laurentian, though Sarah Sanford and Megan Ferguson will be looked upon to help provide some offensive punch.

"Ultimately, when we get into the last phase, the attacking third, we're going to suffer a little bit, since we are missing a couple of players," said Gallo.

"But we do have some quality in the midfield, and these players could score goals.

They're shooting from distance without fear. They want to shoot, and that could create some problems for other teams. We have a couple of attack-minded midfielders."

The last line of defense is in very good hands, as Richele Greenwood is back for her fifth and final year, Soo-ite Dina Mandolesi offers an experienced back-up, while Gallo has high hopes, long-term, for rookie Caitlin McNamara of Stittsville.

Still, the cross-over of the UOIT Ridgebacks from the West to the East last year means that the battle for the playoffs is sure to be a dogfight. The Toronto Varsity Blues, Carleton Ravens, Ottawa Gee Gees and Queen's Gaels are all established powerhouses, with UOIT showing rapid improvement, and the Ryerson Rams and Nipissing Lakers likely to be in the mix with Laurentian for the final playoff spot or two.

The Voyageurs kick off their exhibition campaign with games against both the Brock Badgers and McMaster Marauders this weekend, jumping right into regular season play with a four-game road set.

Gallo and company will enjoy the support of the home crowd for the first time Sept. 12-13, with Toronto and Ryerson in town.