Seven MSX alumnae will see action in the NCAA national tournaments, which begin this weekend.

The action starts Friday when stand-out keeper Frances Nicoletti leads Bloomsburg in a Division II opening round game against Kutztown, beginning at noon at West Chester University.  Nicoletti, who posted a goals-against average of 0.83 with eight shutoputs, was named second team all-conference.

In Division III, Ronnie Rhea, Linda Sierra, Evynn Wright and Leah Carney will be in the line-up when Rowan hosts Stevenson University in a first round contest at 1:30 Saturday.  Rhea was recently named first team all-NJAC for the second year in a row while Sierra made second team and Wright earned honorable mention.

Also on Saturday, Brenna Rubino and the TCNJ Lions will play Christopher Newport in a first round game at the TCNJ complex in Ewing.

And further south, Bridget Claus and her Virginia Wesleyan teammates travel to Baltimore Saturday for a first-round match against Hamilton at 7:30 p.m. on the Johns Hopkins.

In addition, two MSX alumnae just missed getting into Division I NCAA Tournament play, as Barbara Previ's Princeton University squad tied the University of Pennsylvania 1-1 in their final season match, thereby giving the Penn the Ivy League title and the NCAA bid, while Kasey Makowski's Canisius team lost in overtime of the MAAC Tournament Championship match to Siena College 1-0 on a golden goal, giving Siena the MAAC Tournament title and the NCAA bid.  Kasey's Golden Griffins had to console themselves with the MAAC Regular Season Championship title.

Good luck to all the MSX players!

   GLASSBORO, NJ, Sept. 1, 2010 --Ronnie Rhea and Leah Carney provided first half goals to help 17th ranked Rowan University to a 4-0 win over Arcadia in the season opener here tonight.

  Four Xtreme alumnae started for Rowan.  In addition to Rhea and Carney, Linda Sierra was at outside back, and Evynn Wright in the midfield.

  Rhea, who has been nursing a tight quadricep, drilled a PK into the net in the 8th minute to put Rowan on the board.  Twelve minutes later Carney made a nice turn and placed a left-footed shot into the upper right corner for the 2-0 lead Rowan took into halftime.  Jess Babich and Marina Mangano scored in the second half.

Mahwah, NJ (July 25, 2010) 

Congratulations to MSX alum Lauren Albrecht, a goalie at Fairleigh-Dickinson, whose Jersey Shore BOCA team won the MSSL Women's U23 Cup for the second consecutive year.  The team finished the league schedule with a 9-2-2 record and won all three cup games by shutout.  

This is Lauren's second year playing for BOCA.  Click here for more ...

On March 13, 2010, in a driving Nor'easter, Coach P married his long-time friend, Debbie Denslow, in the Church of the Messiah in Gwynedd, PA.  It was the church where he and Debbie met as teenagers nearly 50 years ago.

Representing the MSX at the wedding were GM John Makowski and wife, Sandy; Coach Mike Grimes and wife, Linda; and parents George and Betty Sierra.  Also attending were former Strikers parents, Chuck and Linda Stokes; Jim and Ellen Dudek; and Bob Zwengler and Lyn Owens; and former Strikers players Lauren Konopka, Scott Partenheimer (who was the best man) and Kirsten Partenheimer (bridesmaid).  Other players were Kirsten's husband, Chris Chesla, and Coach P's friend, Bill Herrmann, who played at U of P in the '60's.  And ringbearer, Zachary Werner, Debbie's grandson, is an up and coming player at U6 in West Chester, PA.

Not surprisingly, the best line of the day came from Coach Rhea, who could not attend, but who texted Coach P before the ceremony, "Remember 'I do.'"   

            Medford Strikers Xtreme alumnae continued to impact their college teams in 2009 as TCNJ went to the Final Four, Rowan climbed as high as #4 in the national rankings and lost in overtime in the third round of the NCAAs and Virginia Wesleyan earned a tournament bid.

            On an individual level, Rowan’s Veronica Rhea, who set a school record for assists, was named first team all-conference and third team all-region, Bridget Roney was all-conference at Union U., and Bridget Claus was second team all-conference at Virginia Wesleyan, while Dana Grimes was a captain at St. Peter’s, and Kayleigh Summers and Kasey Makowski were elected captains at St. Joseph’s and Canisius,  respectively, for the 2010 season.

  NAIA

        Union University

            Sophomore Bridget Roney was a major contributor to the success of Union University, which went 9-6-1 and 4-1-1 in the Trans-South Conference.  “We are pleased and excited with Bridget’s development so far in her college career,” said Bulldogs coach  Brandon Boylan.  Roney started 16 of 17 matches and Boylan said she was a stabilizing presence at defensive center mid.   “She is the tough, physical presence that we need in our midfield and she does a great job of winning balls out of the air,” he said.  “She has really come on with her ability to hold the ball and maintain possession for our team.” 

            Roney’s outstanding play was recognized at the end of the season when she was named second team all-conference.

Division 3 

            TCNJ           

            According to legendary TCNJ coach Joe Russo, midfielder Brenna Rubino had a “huge impact” on a spectacular season that ended with a trip to the Final Four in San Antonio.

            Although they lost 4-0 to Rowan during the regular season, the Lions roared back to edge Stockton in a shoot-out in the NJAC conference tournament final.  This was followed by four consecutive shut-out victories in the NCAA, which earned a ticket to Texas.  In the national semi-final, a goal by Messiah in the 66^th minute sent TCNJ to a 1-0 defeat in its 11^th trip to the Final Four.  The Lions have won the national championship three times.

            Rubino described the Final Four experience as “awesome and unforgettable”.   Besides the games, the players had a chance to socialize at a banquet and tour San Antonio, including the Alamo and the Riverwalk.  To make sure they were not stuck in traffic going to practices and the games, teams were given a police escort.  “We felt like celebrities,” said Rubino.

After experiencing the taste of the national semi-finals, Rubino is looking forward to going back.  “I don’t doubt that TCNJ can get back there next year and win it all,” she said.  “Overall, the road to San Antonio was rough and tiring with all the traveling and long weekends but it was all worth it in the end to be there and be a part of something great. I feel so blessed to have just been able to contribute and be apart of a team that was able to make it to the final four. “

            Rowan

            TCNJ’s conference rival, Rowan began the year with a pre-season trip to Costa Rica and ended it much further north, with a 2-1 overtime loss to Ithaca at Williams College in Massachusetts in the third round of the NCAA’s.  In between the Profs won 17 games, against two losses and a tie.  On October 27 they were ranked #4 in the country.  Rhea, Linda Sierra, Nina Fragoso and Evynn Wright were key starters for Rowan with Leah Carney playing significant minutes off the bench up top and in the back.

             While all five former Xtreme turned in outstanding seasons, Rhea was a notch above the pack.  Coach Scott Leacott described her year as a “breakout season” and said that despite an injury she played “with heart every game and her will to succeed helped us in our quest to try and win a National Championship.”  Rhea was second on the team in scoring with 13 goals and 42 points and her 16 assists led the conference and broke a school record that had stood since 1996.  She was recognized by opposing coaches as she was named to the first team all-NJAC squad, first team ECAC Metro All-Stars, and NSCAA third team all-region.            

          Fragoso started every game for Rowan in the midfield and notched six goals and four assists.  Coach Leacott called her an “extremely skillful player with great field awareness” and he looks for her to make all-NJAC in ’10.  Sierra, a left fullback, also started every match and according to Leacott was responsible for containing opposing teams when the Profs were down to their third string keeper late in the year.  He called her a “consistent player” who showed “great defensive awareness and positioning and has a non stop work rate,” despite being slowed by injury in the latter part of the season.            

         Wright started the year as a sub, but quickly earned a starting spot in the midfield.  Leacott called her a “mainstay” on the right who produced some timely goals.  She finished the year with six goals and two assists.  Carney was also hampered by injury and missed the first several games.  But Leacott said that when she returned and regained fitness, “she was a force in the middle of the field.  Her physical presence was much needed and was a great ball winner.  We need her healthy next season as we are predicting she will have a big year.” 

            Virginia Wesleyan 

            After an injury-plagued sophomore campaign, Bridget Claus started 21 of 22 games for Virginia Wesleyan, played in her third straight NCAA tournament and achieved sedcond team all-conferenec honors.  “She just didn't have bad games as we moved her to center back, said Coach Jeff Bowers.  “She was a great leader in her play and we expect great things from her next year.”  The Marlins were ranked as high as #13 and finished the season 17-4-1 after a tough 1-0 loss to Eastern in the opening round of national tournament play.

              Fairleigh-Dickenson (Florham) 

             At Fairleigh-Dickinson, Lauren Albrecht split time with a fellow sophomore in goal and started 9 of 16 games for the Devils.  Coach Kristin Spohn said she showed improvement in all aspects of her game as she registered one shutout with 22 goals against and 50 saves. 

            “She continues to work hard and is gaining the tactical knowledge that is often a challenge for goalkeepers to comprehend at any level,” said Spohn, herself a goalkeeper in college.  The coach is confident Albrecht will be even better in her junior year as FDU seeks to improve on its 8-9-2 record and attain the Freedom Conference tournament spot that slipped away on the last day of the ’09 season.

 Division 2 

            Bloomsburg 

            Out in Central Pennsylvania, keeper Frances Nicoletti turned in a another stellar season at Bloomsburg University, starting 18 of 19 games and allowing just 1.26 goals per game.  The Huskies were down a bit from her freshman year, going 6-10-3 and 4-6-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference but look to rebound in ’10 behind Nicoletti’s goalkeeping.

           Catawba 

            Down south, Marissa DeMarco was one of only three players who started every game for Catawba College, helping the Indians to a 13-5-2 record.  Catawba went 5-2-1 in the South Atlantic Conference and advanced to the semi-finals of the play-off before losing, 2-1 to top-seeded Carson-Newman.

            First year coach Chad Miller said DeMarco played a major role in the team’s success with her “physical, relentless style of defending.”  A midfielder or forward with the Xtreme, DeMarco played right back at Catawba and according to Miller was “Very solid game in and game out.”  He added, “She is a very fearless player with a winning mentality.  She trains every day to get better and simply is a coach’s dream!”  Miller is looking forward to have DeMarco anchor his defense the next two seasons.

             Mansfield

             Jess Kerwin, the last MSX player to graduate from high school, is looking forward to playing against Nicoletti next fall when she begins her college career at PSAC rival Mansfield.  Kerwin will graduate from Moorestown High School this spring and tentatively plans to major in social work and psychology at the upstate Pennsylvania school.  Coach Tim Dempsey said, “She is a really nice kid and very steady player.  She has the right attitude about working hard and being a member of a team.” 

            The Mountaineers can use some help as they were 4-11-1 overall last fall and 2-11-1 in the conference.

 Division 1

             Canisius 

            On the western side of the MAAC, Kasey Makowski was elected a captain at  Canisius in Buffalo after helping lead the Griffs to a 13-4-3 overall record, the most wins in school history.  “Definitely a key player,” said coach Jim Wendling, who noted that  Makowski started all 20 games in the midfield and scored four goals to go with two assists.  Canisius advanced to the second round of the conference tournament before bowing to eventual champion Loyola, 3-1.

            Out at  Hawk Hill on City Line Avenue Kayleigh Summers continued her ironwoman routine, playing virtually every minute for a St. Joe’s side that was better than its 7-9-3 overall record.  With summers in the back, the Hawks were fourth in the conference in goals allowed and were in the running for a play-off spot until a tough 1-0 loss to Temple in the season finale. 

            “I cannot put into words how valuable she is to our team,” said head coach Jess Reynolds.  “She is a natural leader and plays all heart.”  A two-time defensive player of the year for St. Joe’s, Summers was recognized by her teammates and elected captain beginning with the spring season.

              St. Peter’s             

Dana Grimes, a captain of the St. Peter's College women's soccer team, was named to the fall 2009 Athletic Directors Honor Roll, which recognizes student-athletes with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.  She was one of eight Peahens to earn the award.   "We are extremely proud of these eight young ladies and the brilliant work they have done in the classroom" said head coach Shawn Tarquinio. "We continue to do a great job as a team in terms of academics and that is something we take a lot of pride in."   

Congratulations to Dana and her teammates for their work in the classroom.

   Former MSX and Haddon Heights High School standout Bridget Roney was named second team TranSouth All-Conference.  Roney started 16 of 17 games in the midfield for the Lady Bulldogs, who finished second in the regualr season with a 4-1-1 record (9-6-2 overall). 

  Congratulations to Bridget on this honor.

Jess Kerwin, the last Xtreme player to graduate from high school, will look to continue her soccer career on the college level at Mansfield University in northern Pennsylvania next fall.  Kerwin, who joined the MSX in its last season two years ago while still a sophomore at Moorestown High School, received her acceptance Christmas morning.

The Mountaineers compete in the tough Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East.  Former Xtreme goalie Frances Nicoletti plays for Bloomsburg in the same league. 

 Mansfield coach Tim Dempsey called Kerwin "a really nice kid and a very steady player" who has "the right attitude about working hard and being a member of the team."  The Mountaineers could use some help as they were 4-11-1 overall and 2-11-1 in the PSAC-East in the '09 campaign.

We wish Jess the best of luck next fall.

The Xtreme's Kayleigh Summers, a Bishop Eustace graduate, will be a captain of the St. Joseph's University team as a junior in the fall.

Summers, a central defender, has not only started all 38 games of her college careeer, she has played virtually every minute of all of them.  The Hawks were 7-9-3 (4-6-1 conference) in the '09 season but were in the running for a spot in the A-10 tournament until a tough 1-0 loss to Temple in the final game of the season.

Summers is the third MSX alumna to be named a college captain.  Dana Grimes of Cherokee was a captain at St. Peter's this year and Kasey Makowski, also from Chrokee, was named a captain at Canisius for next fall.

Congratulations to Kayleigh for being recognized for her otustanding play and leadership.

Former MSX player Brenna Rubino and her College of New Jersey teammates will face undefeated Messiah College of Grantham, Pa. in the Division 3 national semi-final Friday, Dec. 3, at noon at Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, TX.  The other semi-final between Washington-St. Louis and Lynchburg, will follow, with the winners playing for the national championship Sunday at 2 p.m.

 Rubino, a sophomore from Eastern H.S. whose freshman season was shorted by injury, played in all 22 games this fall, scoring three goals on 28 shots and adding an assist.  The Lions went 20-2-1 on the year, outscoring their opponents, 67-7.  After edging Stockton in a shoot-out in the NJAC tournament final, TCNJ defeated Plattsburgh State, Amherst, Williams and Ithaca, all by shut-outs, in the NCAA Tournment. 

TCNJ Coach Joe Russo, in his 20th season as head women's coach, has won more than 350 games and three national championships, the most recent in 2000.  That team featured one of Coach P's former players, Jamie Acheson of Steinert H.S.  TCNJ has made 19 straight NCAA appearances.

Messiah is no stranger to the big time either.  Coach Scott Frey has won more than 200 games, more than 170 of them at Messiah, and a national champiosnhip in 2007.  The Falcons were 23-0-1 this fall, and beat Farmingdale State, Endicott, Otterbein and Johns Hopkins to earn a berth in San Antonio.

Check this link for the bracket and access to GameTracker and live web TV coverage: http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DIII_soccer_women.html . 

Best of luck to Brenna and her TCNJ teammates from the entire MSX Family.

         Former MSX and Cherokee HS star, Kasey Makowski, will be a captain of the Canisius College Golden Griffs in the Fall, 2010 season, according to head coach Jim Wendling.  In the season just ended, Makowski started all 20 games and registered four goals and three assists in leading Canisius to a 13-4-3 record, the most wins in program history.  She was "definitely a key player," for the Griffs, Wendling said.

         Makowski is the second Xtreme alumna to captain a college team.  Dana Grimes, also from Cherokee, was a tri-captain for St. Peter's College this fall. 

Eight former members of the Medford Strikers Xtreme will be playing in the NCAA national tournament starting this weekend.

Four MSX alumae, Ronnie Rhea (who was recently named first team all conference), Linda Sierra, Nina Fragoso and Eveynn Wright are starters for Rowan University, while Leah Carney has played a significant role off the bench this season.  Rhea was the team's second leading scorer with 13 goals and 16 assists.  Fragoso tallied five goials and four assists, Wright six goals and two assists, Carney one goal and Sierra a goal and an assist.  Ranked as high as #4 nationally while accumulating a 15-2-1 record during the regular season, the Profs travel to Rochester Saturday for a first round match with MIT of the New England Womens and Mens Athletic conference (NEWMAC).

The College of New Jersey won the NJAC championship in a shootout over Stockton and will face Plattsburgh State in the opener Saturday at Amherst, MA.  Brenna Rubino saw action in all 19 games for the 23rd-ranked Lions, registering three goals and an assist.  TCNJ was 16-2-1 in the regular season.

Further south, Bridget Claus has started every game at fullback for 13th-ranked Virginia Wesleyan.  The Marlins, 17-3-1, begin NCAA play Saturday against Eastern University at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

In Division 1, former MSX player Danielle Wessler will be playing with Colgate Friday night at 22nd-ranked Penn State.  The Raiders went 15-6-2 and clinched the "double" of the Patriot Conference regular season title and the tournament championship.  Wessler started 19 games and notched two goals for Colgate.

It was Veronica Rhea 3, Kean University 2 in an NJAC match-up in Glassboro October 14.  The former MSX player from Paul VI HS gave the nationally ranked Profs all the scoring they needed with her first collegiate hat trick.

After the Cougars took a 1-0 lead at 8:20 of the first half, Rhea and company went to work.  Less than three minutes later, Evynn Wright of Eastern H.S. and and MSX teammate of Rhea's,  sent a ball to former Hibernians mdifield Christie Fink who set up Rhea with the equalizer.

Less than nine minutes into the second half Rhea put Rowan up by a goal on an assist from Jess Babich, but Kean tied it in the 67th minute.  Rhea's game-winner ame with 7:34 to play on an assist from Christine Foy.

The Profs' record stands at 12-1-1 and they are #10 in the country in this week's NSCAA poll.  Rhea's hat trick gives her 11 goals on the season to go with 14 assists.  Linda Sierra (Cherokee) and Nina Fragoso (Delsea Regional) have started every game for Rowan this year, Wright has started the past 11, and Leah Carney (Kingsway) has come off the bench and seen action in every contest.

     Former MSX and Kingsway Regional High School standout, Leah Carney and former MSX and Cherokee High School star, Linda Sierra travelled to Costa Rica this week.  As members of the Rowan University Women's Soccer Team the two ladies received the privilege and golden opportunity to visit the Central American nation as part of a ten day excursion, in which the Profs will play four exhibition matches against Costa Rican University, Professional and National squads.  To learn more about the trip and the results of the matches double-click the title above.  An article delineating the itinerary of the Costa Rican journey can be viewed at Rowan University Women's Soccer Team Costa Rican Trip.   Good luck Leah and Linda and enjoy your Central American adventure.

     Former MSX and Cherokee standout Kasey Makowski, a rising junior at Canisius College, has been named to the 2009 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) pre-season All-Conference Team.  Makowski, a midfielder who was picked for the All-Conference Second Team after the 2008 season, is joined on the pre-season roster by sophomore teammate Kelly Reinwald, also a midfielder, who was the Griffs' top scorer last year.   To view the Canisius College website article on All-MAAC preseason selections go to 2009 Canisius College Preseason All-MAAC Selections or double-click title above.

     Canisius was picked 4th in the conference in the pre-season coaches poll, its highest ranking since 1999.  Makowski and Reinwald are the first Griffs to earn pre-season honors since '99.   To view the MAAC article announcing preseason picks go to 2009 Preseason All-MAAC Team or double-click photograph above.

     Canisius honored Makowski with her photo on a billboard on campus.  Next year we expect they will name the street after her.  Congratulations, Kasey, and good luck in the fall season.

     Seventeen of 18 girls from the final MSX squad showed up on college rosters this past fall, 15 saw significant playing time and most started.  Of the 17, five played at Division 1 schools, two at D-2, 7 at D-3 programs, three of which were nationally-ranked during the year, and one at an NAIA school.  Two were sophomores with a year under their belts, the rest freshmen. 

     The most successful teams with MSX alumnae were Rowan, which featured five Xtreme players and finished ranked number 19 in the country, and Virginia Wesleyan, which was number 12.  These two schools plus The College of New Jersey appeared in the D-3 NCAA Tournament while Princeton earned a bid in D-1 and Catawba in D-2. 

DIVISION I 

     There was no sophomore slump for Kasey Makowski (Cherokee) at Canisius.  Makowski followed her stellar freshman year, when she was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Rookie team, with a second team All-Conference selection in ’08.  More important, she helped the 11-4-3 (6-3-0 conference) Golden Griffs qualify for the conference tournament for the first time since 1994.  Makowski led the team with seven assists (to go with one goal) and was a force defensively as Canisius registered seven shutouts, the most in school history, and tied the 1986 team for the fewest goals allowed. 

     First year coach Jim Wendling, named MAAC Coach of the Year, called Makowski “a dynamic player for us” with “excellent speed and technical ball skills with her right foot.”  He said, “She had outstanding vision and is a gifted passer.” 

     “She is a joy to coach,” he added. 

     In the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, St. Peter’s struggled, losing all nine league games and going 3-15-0 overall, but there was still improvement over last year thanks in large part to Dana Grimes (Cherokee), who played every minute of all 18 games.  The three wins were the most for the Peahens in 10 years and the 47 goals allowed the fewest in the same time frame. 

     St. Peter's College Coach Shawn Tarquinio called Grimes an integral part of our program and says she is “versatile, strong and very competitive."  An opposing coach called Grimes “easily the best player on (St. Peter’s) team.” 

     With eight freshmen starting on a regular basis, 2009 should see even more improvement in Jersey City. 

     The Xtreme’s lone Ivy Leaguer, midfielder Barb Previ (Shawnee), started her first college game, a 2-1 win over Boston University, then saw her playing time decrease until the second half of the year.  She scored her first goal against American University, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead early in the second half enroute to a 4-0 non-conference victory Oct. 7.  On Oct. 16 in New York Previ assisted on the game winning golden goal against Columbia, a crucial 2-1 win.  The Tigers went on to a 5-1-1 conference slate and a tie for first, with the automatic NCAA bid going to Harvard on a tiebreaker.  Princeton was awarded an at-large bid and dropped the opening round match to West Virginia, 2-1, to finish the year at 12-3-2.  Previ started and played 63 minutes in that match.  She finished the season having played in all 17 matches, starting five, and notching a goal and an assist with three shots. 

     Coach Julie Shackford said of Previ, “She is tenacious, can beat people on the dribble and her driven personality was one of the reasons Princeton won an Ivy League Championship and returned to the NCAA tournament.”  Previ plans to play lacrosse this spring and Shackford predicts she will do equally well in that sport. 

     On Hawk Hill, Kayleigh Summers (Bishop Eustace) was a huge presence as a starting central defender for St. Joe’s University.  Summers started every game as SJU improved dramatically to 8-7-3, and 3-4-4 in the Atlantic 10, its first winning season in five years. 

    Morgan Koehler (Eastern) saw action in one game at Wisconsin, where the Badgers were 9-9-1 and 3-7-0 in the Big Ten. 

DIVISION II 

     Down south, Marissa DiMarco (Eastern) overcame an injury scare and had a “brilliant” season for D-2 Catawba, according to Coach John Cullen.  The Indians went 16-5-2 for the year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Columbus State, 2-0.  DiMarco started 14 of 21 games, missing two contests with a knee injury which fortunately turned out to be only a sprain.   

     Cullen called DiMarco, who played right fullback, “one of our most consistent performers.”  He said she defended well and was always willing to go forward.

     “We truly love her here,” Cullen said.  “(She has a) wonderful work ethic and is willing to listen and learn.  She really did an excellent job for us.” 

     Also in D-2, goalkeeper Frances Nicoletti (Haddonfield) was a major reason Bloomsburg University went 13-5-1 and earned an-large NCAA bid.   Coach Sandy Dickson described her as “an exceptional freshman” and said she quickly earned the trust of her teammates.  Nicoletti played every minute of every game as the Huskies went 13-5-1, 8-3-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.  She allowed just 19 goals all season.  Nicoletti started her college career in style, being named conference Player of the Week after a 3-0 opening week. 

     “What is very exciting about Frances,” Dickson said, “is her vast potential as a college goalkeeper.  She is blessed with solid athletic ability, has a great temperament and is willing to work very hard to reach the next level.” 

     “The spring season will be huge for Frances, as she will continue to develop physically, technically and tactically.  We are looking for three more terrific years from Frances.” 

DIVISION III 

     Three D-3 colleges with Xtreme players spent much of the year in the national rankings and two finished the year ranked. 

     The big success story was Rowan University where the Profs taught the competition a thing or two about how to play soccer.  Coming off a 14-5-0 campaign in 2007, Rowan did even better this year with the addition of the Xtreme's Ronnie Rhea (Paul VI), Leah Carney (Kingsway), Linda Sierra (Cherokee), Evynn Wright (Eastern) and Nina Fragoso (Delsea), winning the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title, going 16-1-2 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  Rowan was ranked as high as #14 during the season and finished at 19. 

     Sierra came off the bench in her first college game to score a goal and an assist.  She was a regular starter at defender by the end of the season and appeared in all 19 games, starting 11.  Fragoso played in the midfield, started 18 of 19 games and scored four goals to go with eight assists.  A starter in the back before being injured, Carney returned to action later in the year and played in 13 games with 10 starts, notching a goal and an assist. 

    Rhea missed four games due to injury but scored five goals and three assists in the 15 games (13 starts) in which she played.  After scoring the first goal in the conference semi-final win against TCNJ and assisting on the game winner in the final over Stockton, Rhea was named NJAC rookie of the week for the second time in the season.  Wright played a key role off the bench for the Profs, appearing in 11 games and scoring two goals. 

   Brenna Rubino (Eastern) was a starter for three-time national champion The College of New Jersey, before she was injured.  She had a goal and two assists in six games before going down.  “Brenna did a good job for us before she was hurt,” said TCNJ coach Joe Russo. 

    The Lions were ranked #1 in the country in the early going but several defeats knocked them out, and they finished third in the NJAC and were eliminated by Rowan in the semi-finals of the conference tournament.  But you can never count out one of Joe Russo’s teams and sure enough, TCNJ earned an at-large NCAA bid and advanced to the third round of the tournament before losing to top-ranked Williams. 

    Sophomore Bridget Claus (Rancocas Valley), a starter in her freshman year, was also plagued by injuries at Virginia Wesleyan this fall.  Hobbled by an ankle injury suffered during a pre-season trip to Europe, followed by shin splints and the flu. Claus still managed to start two games and play in six at defender for the Marlins before being sidelined. 

    VWC went to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference final before losing, 3-2 to Lynchburg.  After being awarded an at-large NCAA bid, the Marlins edged Stockton in a shootout in the opening round before losing, 1-0 to Johns Hopkins.  They finished the year ranked number 12 nationally.  Claus returned from the D/L to play in the NCAA contests. 

    Coach Jeff Bowers said Claus “came back at the end of year and started to develop a fitness base and played extremely well.”  He added, “We look forward to having her contribute to our team next year when healthy.” 

     In the D-3 Freedom Conference, Lauren Albrecht (Cherokee) played in 17 of Fairleigh-Dickinson (Florham)’s 19 games, starting seven and finishing with 44 saves and a 1.44 goals against average as the Devils came within a game of making the conference play-offs.  Only a 2-1 loss to Wilkes, which included a controversial penalty kick call, on the last day of the season kept FDU from post-season play. 

     Coach Kristin Spohn, herself a keeper at Monmouth U., said of Albrecht, “I can't say enough about how happy we are to have her here at FDU. “ She added, “Her willingness to learn and improve is what sets her apart from most goalkeepers I have coached.  She makes the big saves...and more importantly makes the consistent ones. As a former goalkeeper, I believe the best keepers aren't the most talented but the talented keepers who are the most consistent. Stepping into a starting role as a freshman keeper at any collegiate level can be a challenge. The fact that we had two freshman goalkeepers who pushed each other to earn starting minutes, speaks volumes about where our program is going.  It is players such as Lauren, that in a few years, will take us to the top of the conference and to the top of our game.” 

    Sam Torok (Eastern) was on the roster at Gettysburg College but did not see action.  She is expecting to contribute to the Bullets as a sophomore. 

NAIA 

    Bridget Roney (Haddon Heights) started three games and played in 18 of 19 at midfield for Union University in Tennessee.  The Lady Bulldogs finished 13-6 overall and fourth in the TranSouth Conference, losing in the semi-final match to defending NAIA national champion, Martin Methodist. 

CONCLUSION 

     Many MSX players made an impact on their college teams and more will do so next year.  But what of the 18^th Xtreme girl?  The only one not on a college roster last fall.  She had a very good excuse for not playing in college.  Jess Kerwin is a junior at Moorestown High School.

            Nov. 10, 2008 – Six colleges with 10 former MSX players received bids to the NCAA national championships today.  The games begin this weekend.

            In Division 1, Barb Previ and the Princeton Tigers (12-2-2) travel to Charlottesville, VA Friday for a 7:30 match-up with the University of West Virginia (13-2-6).  The winner will meet the winner of Virginia-Army.  Princeton tied Harvard for the Ivy League title, but the automatic bid went to Harvard on tie-breakers, leaving Princeton to wait for the at-large bid.

            Bloomsburg University with Frances Nicoletti and Catawba with Marissa DiMarco were both given at-large bids in Division 2.   Bloomsburg, (13-5-1) will face conference rival  Slippery Rock  (11-6-1) at Mercyhurst with the winner taking on Mercyhurst.  Catawaba (14-4-2), which lost in a shoot-out in the South Atlantic Conference final yesterday, plays Georgia College (13-2-4) in Columbus, GA and the winner will meet Columbus State.

            Nationally-ranked Rowan University hosts Oneonta State Saturday at 1:00 p.m., following the Wheaton (MA.) – Eastern contest.  The Profs, #14 nationally, featuring Leah Carney, Nina Fragoso, Ronnie Rhea, Linda Sierra, and Evynn Wright, won the NJAC title Saturday with a 2-0 win over Richard Stockton, ranked #23 in the country.  This is Rowan’s 4^th straight NCAA appearance.  The winners of Saturday’s two games play Sunday at 1:00 for the right to advance to the Sweet 16.

            Three time national champion The College of New Jersey, with Brenna Rubino, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury early in the year, travels to Saratoga Springs to play Moravian (14-5-2), with the winner playing the Skidmore-Western Connecticut victor.  This is the 18^th straight NCAA appearance for TCNJ, which has won three national titles and finished second four times.

            The only Xtreme alumna with NCAA experience is sophomore Bridget Claus of Virginia Wesleyan (14-2-3), which will be in Baltimore to play Richard Stockton (18-3-1) at Johns Hopkins.  Bridget, who is out of the season, played for the Marlins last year when they beat Hopkins, 2-0 in the opening round before falling to York College, 1-0.  The winner of the Va. Wesleyan-Stockton game will play the winner of the Johns Hopkins-Meredith contest.

            Good luck to all the MSX players in the tournaments.

   Pomona, NJ, Nov. 8, 2008 -- Their fans might be wet and miserable, but the Rowan women's team could get used to this rainy, nasty weather of the past week.  As they had in the semi-final a few days earlier, the Profs won a huge victoy playing in a steady rain throughout the match.  The result was the first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title in the program's history.

   Three nights ago the Profs downed three-time national champion The College of New Jersey, 2-1, in the wind and rain on the Rowan field.  That earned them the berth in the conference final at Stockton today and the weather and the field conditions turned out to be even worse.  It didn't matter as the Gold and Brown took control in the second half and walked off with a wet and muddy 2-0 victory and an automatic NCAA bid.

   With MSX alumnae Ronnie Rhea, Linda Sierra and Nina Fragoso in the starting line-up, Rowan came out pressuring and seemed to be merely adjusting their sights on the Stockton goal.  But despite the early domination they could not score and it was scoreless at the half.

   Rowan picked up play in the seconf half and in the 68th minute took a 1-0 lead on a nice set piece.  Rhea, who scored the first goal against TCNJ, dropped a free kick behind the wall where Michelle Carracino headed it to Mandy Silvesti who knocked it home in the 68th minute.  Carracino put the game away when she broke down a defender 1 v 1 and beat the keeper in the 82nd minute.

   Overall Rowan outshot the Ospreys, 17-5.  Rowan, ranked #14 nationally, ran its undefeated record to 15-0-2 and will learn Monday who its first round NCAA tournament opponent will be.  Stockton will be hoping for an at-large bid.  The timelplace/and opponent for the opening round game will be posted on the MSX website.

    Congratulations to Linda, Ronnie, Nina, Leah Carney and Evynn Wright and their teammates on a sensational season that is still going on.

    And thanks to Coach Rhea for the tailgating!

        Albany, NY, Nov. 6, 2008 -- Former Medford Strikers Xtreme and Cherokee High School standout, Kasey Makowski was named to the All Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's Second Team at the MAAC's annual championship banquet here tonight.  Makowski, a sophomore midfielder, was in Albany with her Canisius teammates preparing for the MAAC Championship Playoffs that begin tomorrow. 

       The Marlton, NJ native was named to the All-Rookie team in her first season.  Kasey's Canisius Head Coach Jim Wendling received the Anaconda Sports 2008 MAAC Coach of the Year award and three of her teammates were named to the 1st, 2nd and Rookie Teams respectively.

     Makowski leads the Golden Griffins with seven assists on the season and alreeady ranks fifth on the school's all-time assist list.  To view the MAAC press release on the conference website simply double click the MAAC logo above left. To read the Canisius College press release, visit the college's athletics' website by double clicking the underlined title above.  Congratulations, Kasey, on this honor! 

It's a Girl!!!!
"Brooke Elizabeth Barbagiovanni"
6 lbs. 10 oz.
Congratulations Beth and Coach Steve!!!
Future Medford Striker & ODP State Team Candidate
for Players Born in 2008
[To View More Photographs Simply Double-click Either Photograph or the Underlined Title]

Glassboro, Nov. 5 --  Ronnie Rhea tapped in a ball from Nina Fragoso for Rowan's first goal enroute to a 2-1 win over The College of New Jersey in an NJAC semi-final match.  The Profs face Stockton, 3-1 winners over Montclair, Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Stockton.

Despite a steady rain and wind, both teams moved the ball well in the opening minutes and neither side dominated.  Rowan picked up the play midway through the half, despite going into the wind.  In the 27th minute Fragoso, the team leader in assists, put a ball in the box and Rhea tapped it home for the 1-0 lead.  It was Rhea's fourth goal of the year and Fragoso's eighth assist.

Although Rowan began to control play in the second half, they could not score until Jess Babich drilled a ball into the upper right corner in the 88th minute.  Jamie Kunkel's goal for the Lions with 22 seconds remaining was too little, too late and Rowan had its first win ever over the perennial national power TCNJ.

In addition to Rhea and Fragoso, Linda Sierra contributed to the win with 90 solid minutes at outside defender.  Leah Carney was on the D/L and hopes to return for the fianl Saturday. 

The Xtreme's Brenna Rubino, who was an early season starter at TCNJ, is on the D/L with a knee injury.

TCNJ finishes the regular season at 12-6-1 while Rowan is undefeated at 14-02 and looking forward to the championship match and an NCAA berth.

   Oct. 18, 2008 -- Princeton's Barb Previ did not see the field until the start of the second overtime at Columbia this afternoon, but she made the most of her seven minutes of playing time, assisting on the game-winning golden goal three minutes before the end of the second overtime.  The goal gave the Tigers a dramatic 2-1 win to put them in first place by a point in the Ivy League.

   Princeton went up, 1-0 in the 6th minute, but Columbia equalized less than seven minutes later, ending the orange and black's shutout streak at 702 minutes.  The game remained fairly even the rest of the way.  Previ came off the bench to start the second overtime and with three minutes to play passed across the top of the box to senior Sarah Peteraf, who maneuvered around a defender and buried the game-winner. 

   “Give Barb Previ credit,” Princeton coach Juluie Shackford said. “She came in without having played the whole game and got the assist." 

   The Tigers face second-place Harvard on Saturday, October 25 at home. 

        Former MSX and Paul VI High School player Ronnie Rhea was recognized for her recent stellar play against William Patterson by being named New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie of the Week.  Rhea helped lead the Profs to a 3-0 road win at William Paterson in Rowan’s only contest of the week.  In a battle of two unbeaten teams, she assisted on the game-winning goal early in the second half and later scored the second goal of the match for three total points in the Profs victory. Overall on the season, Rhea has tallied two goals and two assists for six total points, despite having spent several games on the D/L.

      Rowan is ranked #14 in the country in the latest NSCAA Division III poll. 

        Former MSX and Cherokee High School player Dana Grimes scored her first collegiate goal when she blasted home a rebound off the crossbar.  Grimes' tally knotted the score between St. Peter's College and visiting Rider University at 1-1 but unfortuantely her heroics were not enough as the Peahens gave up  a game winning goal 20 minutes later.  

        Nevertheless, Dana's stellar play for St. Peter's has won her accolades from opposing coaches and greatly improved the competiveness of a previously struggling St. Peter's women's soccer program.

        Former MSX Veronica Rhea (Paul VI High School) and Nina Fragoso (Delsea Regional High School) each tallied a goal to help Rowan defeat William Patterson University, 3-0, in women's soccer action.  Rhea had an assist on Fragoso's goal, which opened the scoring, executing a long throw into the offensive box that Nina proceeded to shoot into the back of the net.  Rhea knocked in the second Profs' goal with a blast into the upper right corner of the net.

        Two other former MSX, Leah Carney (Kingsway Regional High School) and Linda Sierra (Cherokee High School) helped anchor a stingy Rowan defense that allowed no goals in this important New Jersey Athletic Conference regular season match.  Both teams came into the game undefeated.  Rowan handed William Patterson their first loss in their own stadium.  The Profs continued their unbeaten season with a 9-0-1 overall record, 4-0-1 in the NJAC.  Rowan remains at the top of the NJAC standings table.

        MSX and Bloomsburg University women's soccer goalkeeper Frances Nicoletti (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Week for her efforts in the first three games of the season.  The PSAC is a conference of Division II Pennsylvania college women's soccer teams.

        Nicoletti helped the Huskies to a 3-0 start this season by allowing just two goals in the first three games. Nicoletti allowed just one goal in her first collegiate game versus Mansfield, posted a shutout over Shippensburg on Saturday, and only allowed one goal in a win over Concord on Sunday. For the season, she has 14 saves and a 0.67 goals against average.

              The Medford Strikers Xtreme was a  girls travel team which competed in the Mid Atlantic Premier Soccer (MAPS) league, as well as premier tournaments and college showcases. On June 1, 2008 it played its last game at U18 after a 10-year history that began in Marlton.  Accomplishments included winning the 2007 and 2006 Columbia Invitational Tournament Championships, advancing to the semi-finals of the 2006 NJYS National Championship Series (i.e., State Cup), 2006 JAGS II Premier League Championship, 2005 JAGS Invitational Tournament White II Championship, 2005 CP United All Girls Easter Tournament U-15 Premier Championship, the 2004 JAGS Invitational Tournament U-14 White One Championship, the Spring 2004 JAGS Regional Premier League II Conference title, the 2004 Spring U-15 SJGSL Olympic Conference title, the 2004 PDA Spring Kickoff Tournament U-14 Girls Premier Championship and the Fall 2003 JAGS Regional Premier League II Conference title.

            Over the years, the team drew players from throughout Southern New Jersey. The U18 roster consisted of girls from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties and eleven municipalities including Eastampton, East Greenwich, Evesham, Franklin, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Medford, Moorestown, Pennsauken and Voorhees.

            The team was coached by Steven Barbagiovanni with the assistance of Wayne Partenheimer, Mike Grimes and George Rhea. Coach Barbagiovanni is a teacher by profession who thoroughly enjoys playing and coaching the beautiful game of soccer. Coach Barbagiovanni guided the Xtreme for the last seven years of its existence.

            Coach Partenheimer (a/k/a "Coach P") is the team's grand master of soccer wisdom and experience, having played in high school, college (Gettysburg) and for club teams, and having coached since 1974 beginning with Bryn Gwelyd of the Inter-County Soccer League in Pennsylvania. In the Strikers organization he has helped coach the U15 and U16 teams that won the New Jersey State Cup Championships in 1994 and 1995 and a team of girls that won two State Cups at U15 and U16 in 1997 and 1998 and included Carli Lloyd, now on the U.S. National Team. In total, Coach Partenheimer has coached more than 25 Division I players. In addition to coaching, he scouts female college prospects in New Jersey for prominent Division III schools and has been a certified referee (now retired), a referee instructor, and a soccer journalist. He was a long-time Board member of the Medford Strikers and past club president. Acknowledging Coach Partenheimer's success in the college area, the Jersey Area Girls Soccer (JAGS) tournament committee appointed Coach Partenheimer its college coaches coordinator.  In this position, "Coach P," works with the many college coaches viewing the top female prospects at the annual JAGS tournament in June.

            The Xtreme was affiliated with the Medford Strikers Soccer Club, the most successful club soccer program in New Jersey with 22 state championships. A non-profit corporation, the Strikers are a youth soccer club based in Medford Township, Burlington County, New Jersey. The Medford Strikers Soccer Club's primary objective is to develop skilled soccer players capable of playing at the highest competitive level possible.

            To view team photographs of some noteworthy Xtreme squads of the past, visit our archives: Xtreme Hall of Fame.  

            To visit the team's Soccer in College webpage click this link: Medford Strikers Xtreme Soccer in College Website.

       Veronica Rhea's recent decision to attend Rowan University brings to five number the Medford Strikers Xtreme who will play their collegiate soccer for the Profs.  Rhea, a Paul VI graduate, Leah Carney (Kingsway), Nina Fragoso (Delsea), and Evynn Wright (Eastern) all chose to join MSX teammate Linda Sierra (Cherokee) at Rowan,  located in Glassboro, NJ, and to compete for the respected NCAA Division III program coached by Scott Leacott.   Sierra committed to Rowan in December.

       Rowan, which compiled an overall record of 14-5, finished second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and earned an at- large bid to the 2007 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament where they lost in the first round to nationally-ranked Western Connecticut, 2-0.  Coach Leacott, who has trained the MSX on occasion in the past, has viewed first-hand the soccer skills of all five players and is delighted to have them join his program.   

        In the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), the Profs compete against Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College, Richard Stockton College, Rutgers University-Camden, Rutgers University-Newark, The College of New Jersey and William Patterson University.  With the infusion of five  Xtreme to the 2008 roster, the Profs may finally be in a position to challenge perennial NJAC powerhouse, The College of New Jersey.  Of course, Xtreme teammate and soon to be TCNJ player Brenna Rubino will have something to say about that.  This fall's matches between Rowan and TCNJ should make for a great MSX reunion and some fantastic college soccer.  You can visit the Rowan University Women's Soccer website by double clicking the title above or the Profs logo above left. 

        Soccer Buzz Magazine publishes and maintains a national list of verbal commitments on its website. The 2008 recruit list can be obtained by double-clicking the following underlined link: 2008 Soccer Buzz Commitment List.

        In the Centennial Conference the Bullets compete against  Bryn Mawr, Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, Haverford, John Hopkins, McDaniel, Muhlenberg, Swarthmore, Ursinus and Washington College - Maryland.

        Soccer Buzz Magazine publishes and maintains a national list of verbal commitments on its website. The 2008 recruit list can be obtained by double-clicking the following underlined link: 2008 Soccer Buzz Commitment List.

        Haddonfield Memorial High School Senior, Frances Nicoletti became the eleventh Medford Strikers Xtreme player to choose a college when she verbally committed to Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.  The Huskies are an NCAA Division II program coached by Sandy Dickson.  In 2007, Bloomsburg finished third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with a 5-4-3 record and a 7-7-4 overall slate. 

        In the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) the Huskies compete in the Eastern Division against East Stroudsburg, Kutztown University, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg and West Chester University.  The Western Division of the PSAC includes California University, Clarion, Edinboro, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Lock Haven and Slippery Rock.

        Soccer Buzz Magazine publishes and maintains a national list of verbal commitments on its website. The 2008 recruit list can be obtained by double-clicking the following underlined link: 2008 Soccer Buzz Commitment List.

            A strange overtime goal ended the Xtreme’s final State Cup dream last Sunday.

In a dramatic and intense quarterfinal match against the Manalapan Shooting Stars that was eerily reminiscent of one of the great games in soccer history, Brenna Rubino evened the score at 2-2 with a goal just 2:40 from regulation time only to see the Shooting Stars clinch the victory with a goal that appeared to defy the laws of physics.

            Forty-two years earlier, in the 1966 World Cup final at London’s Wembley Stadium, Germany came from behind to tie the game, 2-2 in the closing seconds.  In the overtime England sent a ball that struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and out.  The Swiss referee could not tell if the ball completely crossed the goalline, but the Russian linesman ruled it a goal to put England up, 3-2.  As Germany pushed everyone forward in an effort to equalize, England scored once again for the 4-2 final.

            Like that long-ago Cup final, this match was played in a top venue – The College of New Jersey soccer stadium.  And while the crowd for this one was about 100,000 less, the intensity on the pitch was the same.

            This was the third straight year these two sides had met in the quarterfinals with MSX winning in a shootout in ’06, and MSS by a 3-2 score last year.  But Manalapan apparently forgot to read the memo that said it was Medford’s turn in '08.

            Although the Strikers controlled play in the opening minutes, Manalapan drew first blood in the 12^th minute when it scored off a corner kick that the Xtreme failed to clear.  Medford had a chance to tie with 15 minutes remaining in the half but the MSS keeper, who played an outstanding game, made a diving grab off a close shot by Marissa DiMarco to preserve the lead.  Ten minutes later Barb Previ had a chance but her shot was just wide left and the half ended 1-0.

            Just three minutes into the second half Manalapan increased its lead to 2-0 when a player won a ball in the defensive third and went 70 yards for the goal.  But DiMarco cut the lead in half a minute later when she looped a ball from a sharp angle on the right just out of the keeper’s reach and into the left side of the goal.

            As the clock wound down, the Xtreme put Bridget Claus, a fullback by trade, in goal as a “keeper-sweeper,” akin to pulling the goalie for an extra skater in ice hockey.  This enabled Medford to attack with 10 and the strategy paid off.  Just as Wolfgang Weber scored for Germany in the waning moments to tie the ’62 game, Rubino did the same for the Xtreme.

Linda Sierra won a ball at midfield, passed off to DiMarco then took a return pass and streaked down the left side. She crossed the ball in front of the goal where Rubino came in from the right and knocked it home less than three minutes from time.

The first 15-minute overtime was scoreless, but it took another great save by the Shooting Stars’ goalie to keep her team in the game.  The teams switched sides, and there were thoughts of a shootout as the second extra session reached the halfway point.  But suddenly, in the 114^th minute, a Manalapan shot hit under the crossbar, went down and out, just as Geoff Hurst’s shot for England had done in '66.  And as in that Cup final, the referee could not make the call but instead relied on his assistant referee (as linesmen are now called) who signaled the goal.

Once again the Xtreme went to Claus as the keeper-sweeper in hopes of another miracle.  But this time there was no miracle, and as England did in ’66 at Wembley, Manalapan did in ’08 at TCNJ by scoring an empty net goal to make the final 4-2.   

Manalapan goes through to the semi-final against Arsenal Blast, a 2-1 come-from behind winner over ESA Flames.  The match will be played May 17 at 3:30 at TCNJ Field #2, with PDA Power facing defending state champion Wall Strikers in the other U18 semi-final.

Congratulations from the Xtreme to Coach O, one of the class acts of the sport, and the Manalapan Shooting Stars on a well-played and hard fought win, and best of luck in the semis.

   After a scoreless first half at the Rutgers-Newark field, the Xtreme picked up its level of play and reeled off three goals and several near misses to shut out US Parma Azzurri, 3-0 and advance to the State Cup quarterfinals next week.

     After a first round bye, the Xtreme was playing its 2008 Cup opener in the second round.  Barb Previ, who hit the crossbar on a free kick early in the game, got MSX on the board in the 53rd mninute as she beat three defenders before finding the back of the net.  Previ almost had an assist a few minutes later when she made a nice pass to Evynn wright, who narrowly missed wide right.

    Ronnie Rhea made it 2-0 when she tapped in a corner kick from Morgan Koehler on the right with 29:25 and Wright finished off the scoring with just under 18 minutes to play when she converted a pass from Brenna Rubino. 

    Lauren Albrecht pitched the shutout in goal for Medford and stopped a breakaway in the 70th minute when a Parma goal would have narrowed the lead to one.

    The Xtreme will face the Manalapan Shooting Stars in th e quarterfinal round this Sunday at The college of New Jersey.  It will be the third straight year the two teams have met in the quarters.

Haddon Heights High School Senior Bridget Roney became the tenth Medford Strikers Xtreme player to choose a college when she made a verbal commitment to Union University in Tennessee.  The Union University Lady Bulldogs are an NAIA program coached by Brandon Boylan.  In 2007, Union compiled a 13-6-0 record, finished third in the TranSouth Conference and lost in the semi-finals if the conference tournament to Bethel College, 3-0.  The LadyBulldogs also earned a bid to the NAIA Region XI Tournament, where they lost in the first round to their rival and nemesis Bethel, 2-1.  Coach Boylan is excited to have a quality player and individual like Bridget join his program.

In the TranSouth Conference, the Lady Bulldogs compete against Bethel College, Crichton College, Cumberland University, Freed-Hardeman University, Lambuth University, Lyon College, Martin Methodist College, and Trevecca Nazarene University.  You can visit the the Union University Women's Soccer website by double clicking the title above or the Lady Bulldogs' logo above left.   To view the Union University article on Roney's signing simply double-click photograph below.

Soccer Buzz Magazine publishes and maintains a national list of verbal commitments on its website. The 2008 recruit list can be obtained by double-clicking the following underlined link: 2008 Soccer Buzz Commitment List.

Cherokee High School Senior, Lauren Albrecht, became the ninth Medford Strikers Xtreme player to choose a college.  She will again be wearing #1, tending goal for the Fairleigh Dickinson Devils under Coach Kristin Spohn.  FDU is an NCAA Division III ECAC team, playing in the Freedom Conference of the Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC), formally known as the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation. The Devils were ranked 1st in 2006 and 5th in 2007 in their conference.  Coach Spohn was a goalkeeper for the Monmouth University Hawks and member of the WPL.  She is also a goalkeeper coach for the NJ Girls Olympic Development Program.  This fall will be her third season coaching the FDU Devils.

Albrecht’s interest in FDU-Florham grew after researching academic programs, student life and athletic programs at her top choice schools. Lauren also considered playing for Brian Doherty at Kean University, Rick Brownell at Arcadia University, Jeff Bowers at Virginia Wesleyan College, Chris George at King’s College and Christa Racine at Drew University.  It was a very difficult decision, as she came to know and respect each of the coaches over the last two years.

Albrecht will be part of FDU’s QUEST program, an accelerated degree program that provides an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree, teacher certification and a master’s degree in five years.  Lauren currently plans to major in Chemistry while pursuing her B.S. degree and obtain teacher certification in secondary education as part of her M.A.T. degree.

Soccer Buzz Magazine publishes and maintains a national list of verbal commitments on its website. The 2008 recruit list can be obtained by double-clicking the following underlined link: 2008 Soccer Buzz Commitment List.

Eastern High School Senior Brenna Rubino became the eighth Medford Strikers Xtreme player to choose a college when she made a verbal commitment to The College of New Jersey in Trenton. The Lions are a perennial nationally-ranked NCAA Division III program coached by Joseph Russo.  In 2007, the TCNJ compiled a 21-1-1 record, finished first in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and earned an automatic bid to the 2007 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, where they lost in the semi-finals to nationally ranked #2 Messiah College, 2-0.  Coach Russo, the 2007 NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year,  is thrilled to have Brenna join his program.

In the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), the Lions compete against Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College, Richard Stockton College, Rowan University, Rutgers University-Camden, Rutgers University-Newark and William Patterson University.  Brenna will have the opportunity to face her MSX teammates, Linda Sierra and Leah Carney, who recently committed to play for conference rival Rowan University.  You can visit the the College of New Jersey Women's Soccer website by double clicking the title above or the Lion's logo above left.

Soccer Buzz Magazine publishes and maintains a national list of verbal commitments on its website. The 2008 recruit list can be obtained by double-clicking the following underlined link: 2008 Soccer Buzz Commitment List.

**

        Five Medford Strikers Xtreme players were recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer for their outstanding high school play by being placed on the newpaper's All-South Jersey Team.  Frances Nicoletti and Brenna Rubino were named to the First Team, while Dana Grimes, Barbara Previ and Kayleigh Summers were slected for the Second Team.

        Congratulations, girls on receiving this honor! 

First team All South Jersey selections Kayleigh Summers of Bishop Eustace and Brenna Rubino of Eastern H.S. lead a list of nine Medford Strikers Xtreme players honored in today's all star selections in the Courier-Post. Summers, a senior who will play at St. Joseph's next year, is also on the All-Parochial 1st Team while Rubino, also a senior, is All Group 4 1st Team.

Morgan Koehler, an Eastern senior headed for Wisconsin, was 2nd Team All South Jersey, as were Princeton-bound Barb Previ of Shawnee, and Ronnie Rhea, a senior at Paul VI. Koehler was 1st Team All Group 4 while Previ was All Group 3 1st Team and Rhea All Parochial 1st Team.

Nina Fragoso, a Delsea Regional senior was picked for All Group 3 1st Team and Frances Nicoletti, senior keeper for state champion Haddonfield H.S., was All Group 2 1st Team. Dana Grimes of Cherokee, who will play at St. Peter's next fall, was named All Group 4, 2nd Team, and Bridget Roney, a senior at Haddon Heights, was slected for All Group 2, 2nd team.

Congratulations, Ladies!

Nine Medford Strikers Xtreme were recognized for their stellar high school play by being named to the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association's All South Jersey Team. Brenna Rubino, Veronica Rhea, Barbara Previ, Morgan Koehler and Frances Nicoletti were named to the First Team, Kayleigh Summers and Dana Grimes were assigned to the Second Team, while Bridget Roney and Kristina Fragoso were selected to the Third Team.

Congratulations girls!

You always want the last one to be a good one and the Xtreme made sure the last game for two college-bound players was a good one.

Brenna Rubino powered in a perfect cross from Nina Fragoso on the left with just over three minutes to play to give the Xtreme a 2-1 victory over the Lenape Valley Black Hornets in the MAPS/MSSL Summer Showcase at Ft. Dix Sunday. It was the final Xtreme career game for Kasey Makowski of Cherokee, who is headed to Canisius in the fall, and for Bridget Claus of Rancocas Valley, who will play at nationally-ranked Viriginia Wesleyan. Claus joined the team at U-12 while Makowski was a charter member at U-9 when the team played in Marlton.

The win capped a split for the day after an earlier 2-0 loss to CASA-HMMS of Harrisburg. Overall Medford was 3-1 for the showcase after winning both games by shutout Saturday.

In Sunday's first match CASA scored in the 7th minute on a fluke goal as a hard clearing ball rebounded off a CASA player into the goal. MSX had several chances in the second half but could not score, and then needed a perfectly timed tackle from Leah Carney to stop a breakaway. CASA sealed the win with a perfectly-placed header off a corner kick less than four minutes from time.

In the finale against Lenape Valley, Xtreme had trouble getting a rythym in the first half, which ended scoreless. The Black Hornets scored from close in to go up 1-0 less than two minutes into the second half and MSX missed a chance to equalize two minutes later when a shot went wide of an open goal. But Carney controlled the ball, beat her mark and scored the equalizer in the 35th minute. Medford needed two great saves from Megan Foster in goal in the 49th and 51st minutes to stay tied. After a header over the crossbar with six minutes left, Rubino scored the game winner.

The previous day Makowski and Carney scored two goals each and the defense shut out the opposition in 3-0 and 1-0 wins over Freestate, MD, X-treme and Massapequa, NY, Shockwaves in matches played in oppressive heat and humidity.

Play was sloppy in the early going of the 8:15 a.m. opener against Freestate, but things settled down and in the 13th minute Claus put a free kick in front of the goal. Makowski scored on the rebound of her own shot. In the 20th minute it was Makowski again, as she was taken down in the box and put the penalty kick into the right corner for a 2-0 advantage.

Carney finished the scoring for the half and the game, going up the middle to make it 3-0 with 3:13 until halftime.

Lauren Albrecht and Claus combined for the shutout in goal.

In the second game the Xtreme battled Massapequa to a scoreless first half, and dodged a bullet early in the second half when a Shockwaves goal was called back for offsides in the 38th minute. MSX then took control but could not score. Sweeper Morgan Koehler put a bullet on goal off a free kick with 12 minutes to play but the keeper made a nice save. Carney finally netted the game-winner when she finished off a cross from Fragoso on the right with 9:18 to play.

Albrecht again shared the shutout, this time with Megan Foster.

The Xtreme will take a break for the high school season and regroup for fall showcases. In the meantime, best of luck to Kasey and Bridget in their college careers, and a special thanks to Kasey's Dad, John, for many years a member of the Xtreme "braintrust" as an advisor to the coaching staff, general manager, video cameraman and webmaster of this site.

        MSX Sweeper Morgan Koehler of Eastern Regional H.S. has committed to the University of Wisconsin for the Fall of 2008. She plans to study business at the Madison campus.

        Koehler, who is known for her deadly-accurate free kicks and corners and goal-saving defensive plays, hopes to help shore up the Badger defense. Wisconsin is a Division I program which competes in the Big Ten Conference. Other schools in the Big 10 are University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Penn State University and Purdue University. UW finished 7-9-3 overall and 4-5-1 in the Big Ten in '06. New Coach Paula Wilkins plans to change that beginning this fall. You can view the University of Wiscinsin article on Koehler's signing by double clicking the title above or visit the the University of Wisconsin Women's Soccer website by double clicking  the Badgers' logo above left.   To view the University of Wisconsin article on Koehler's roster biography simply double-click photograph below.

        Koehler is the fourth MSX player to commit to college and the third to a Division 1 program. Kasey Makowski (Cherokee '07) is already practicing at Canisius in Buffalo and Bridget Claus (Rancocas Valley '07) is playing at nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan, while Kayleigh Summers (Bishop Eustace '08) has committed to St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia for next fall.

        Koehler's choice is especially gratifying to her father, Jim. He was Wisconsin, '78.

        Cherokee High School Senior Dana Grimes became the fifth Medford Strikers Xtreme player to choose a college when she made a verbal commitment to Saint Peter's College in Jersey City. She plans to study nursing there. Saint Peter's College is an NCAA Division I program that recruited Dana after seeing her compete with the MSX at the JAGS Tournament, Columbia Invitational Tournament and MAPS Spring and Summer College Showcases. The Peahens play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which includes Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Loyola College (MD), Manhattan College, Marist College, Niagara University, Rider University and Siena College. Dana will have the opportunity to face her former Cherokee and MSX teammate, Kasey Makowski, who plays for conference rival Canisius.

        Eastern Regional High School Senior Marissa DiMarco became the sixth Medford Strikers Xtreme player to choose a college when she made a verbal commitment to attend Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina next fall. Catawba, a NCAA Division II program, recruited Marissa after seeing her compete with the MSX at the JAGS Tournament, Columbia Invitational Tournament and MAPS Spring and Summer College Showcases. The Indians play in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), which includes Brevard College, Carson-Newman College, Lincoln Memorial University, Lenoir-Rhyne College, Mars Hill College, Newberry College, Tusculum College and Wingate University. To learn more about women's soccer in the South Atlantic Conference double click the following weblink South Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer. You can view the Catawba College article on DiMarco's signing by double clicking the title above or visit the Catawba College Indians Women's Soccer website by double clicking the Catawba logo above left.

Perhaps it was the visits from their two alumnae now playing in college that inspired the Medford Strikers Xtreme on the chilly fields in Delaware. Whatever it was, the Xtreme overcame the weather and various injuries by rolling over four good teams by a combined 7-0 in front of numerous college coaches. at the Kirkwood Thanksgiving Showcase. The previous week the team showed well at the Hazlet Showcase with a record of 0-1-2.

The wind chill was below freezing the morning after Thanksgiving when the Xtreme faced the NPAA Hunters from Pennsylvania. Cheered on by former teammate Bridget Claus, now a starter for nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan, Medford played well in the first half but could not find the net. After more than 56 minutes of scoreless play, Brenna Rubino headed in a free kick from Linda Sierra with just 3:47 to play for the 1-0 victory. Megan Foster, Lauren Albrecht and Frances Nicoletti combined for the shutout in goal.

The wind continued during the second game against the West Windsor-Plainsboro Breakaways and again the play was even in the early going. But Evynn Wright scored off a corner kick by Leah Carney in the last minute of the firsts half to give Xtreme the lead. Wright assisted Danny Wessler's goal with 5:20 left in the second half and Wessler then set up Dana Grimes for the third goal with 3:12 to play and it ended, 3-0. Foster, Albrecht and Nicoletti again were in nets for Medford.

The temperature was lower but the wind was gone and the sun was out making for a warmer day Sunday as MSX faced FC Frederick. With 1:50 left in the half Ronnie Rhea crossed the ball from the goalline back to Kayleigh Summers, who hammered it home for the only goal MSX would need, but Wright added an insurance tally midway through the second half for the 2-0 margin. Albrecht and Nicoletti were in goal.

Former Xtreme player, Kasey Makowski, now playing at Division 1 Canisius where she was on the Conference All Rookie team, was on the bench for the finale against Gunston (VA.) Team America Select, which saw the Xtreme finish with no available subs. Linda Sierra took a pass from Erinn Wescoat and drilled it with 16:40 left in the first half and the lead stood up for the 1-0 victory. Albrecht and Nicoletti again combined for the shutout, but each also put in significant time in the field.

A week earlier at the Hazlet Showcase, a penalty kick with less than five minutes to play against World Class Arsenal gave MSX a 2-1 defeat. Games against Matchfit Magic and World Class Hawks ended in draws, 1-1 and 0-0 respectively.

        After much soul searching and consideration of a number of offers, Cherokee High School Senior Linda Sierra became the seventh Medford Strikers Xtreme player to choose a college when she made a verbal commitment to Rowan University in Glassboro.  The Rowan University Profs are a respected NCAA Division III program coached by Scott Leacott.  Rowan, which had an overall record of 14-5, finished second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and earned an at- large bid to the 2007 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament where they lost in the first round to nationally-ranked Western Connecticut, 2-0.  Coach Leacott, who has trained the MSX in the past, has always coveted Linda's soccer skills and is estatic to have her join his program.  Linda will be joining former Cherokee teammate (and Medford Strikers player) Devon Marx on the Profs' roster.

        In the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), the Profs compete against Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College, Richard Stockton College, Rutgers University-Camden, Rutgers University-Newark, The College of New Jersey and William Patterson University.  You can visit the Rowan University Women's Soccer website by double clicking the title above or the Profs logo above left. 

        Soccer Buzz Magazine publishes and maintains a national list of verbal commitments on its website. The 2008 recruit list can be obtained by double-clicking the following underlined link: 2008 Soccer Buzz Commitment List.

   Jersey City, Oct. 12, 2008 -- Dana Grimes picked a great time for her first college goal - when her team was down, 1-0.  In the 68th minute against Rider, Grimes was in position and knocked home the rebound off the crossbar of a shot by teammate Samantha Lockhart. 

   Grimes almost scored her second career goal 10 minutes later but her shot went off the crossbar.  The Broncs tallied the game winner on a header with just 1:52 left.

   The Peahens shuffle off to Buffalo Friday for a pair of weekend games  - a showdown with Grimes' for MSX and Cherokee H.S. teammate Kasey Makowski and the Golden Griffs of Canisius, followed by a Sunday match with Niagara.