Youthful squad enters inaugural year in PAC       

                                    By Jim Berger
                  Assistant Sports Information Director

After four playoff appearances in the past four seasons, the Lady Bearcats established themselves as a traditional contender in the NAIA’s American Mideast Conference.

Moving to the NCAA Division-III level and the President’s Athletic Conference, coach Keith Harmon hopes that his team can do the same thing in its new digs.

“It’s our first year in the PAC,” he said, “and we’d like to win right away and establish that winning tradition.”

Despite losing a trio of All-AMC performers in Chris Basilone, Erin Mannella, and Nicole Mannella, Harmon remains optimistic that his team can continue its recent run of success.

Last season, the trio scored 24 of the team’s 57 goals, and Harmon will look to youth to make up for this void.

Sophomore Kylie Simonini, who burst onto the scene a season ago with 13 goals en-route to being named Honorable Mention All-AMC, looks to once again pick up a bulk of the scoring and should anchor a position at forward.

Simonini will be joined up front by two of her classmates, Adrianne Groth (7 goals, 10 assists in 2005) and Shelley Teems (6g, 7a), forming perhaps the fastest front line in the conference.

“Kylie has all of the capabilities,” Harmon said, “and we’re hoping that Groth and Teems can also pick up some of the offensive slack since Nicole Mannella left.”

Anchoring the defense will be senior stopper Ashley Shasko, a three-year starter.

The remaining positions in the back, however, will be hotly contested.

Senior Kate Andyjohn, who started 10 games a season ago, and sophomore Sarah Lindsey will compete for time at outside back, along with senior Alex Brunory, who missed all of last season due to injury, and incoming freshman Ashley Bartko.   

The sweeper position is also up for grabs between sophomores Sharlie Regan, Anna Wagenhofer, while Harmon also believes that newcomer Cat Gagnier can make immediate contributions in the back.

The position left with the biggest question mark is midfield, due to the loss of Basilone and Erin Mannella, both NAIA All-America selections, as well as three-year starter Lindsey Baudoux. 

“We have a huge hole to fill at midfield,” Harmon said.  “Right now, it’s wide open.”

At center mid, youth will once again be called upon, with Harmon mentioning sophomore Jonya Strnisha and incoming freshman Alex Shasko (younger sister of Ashley) as possibilities to fill the void left by the departure of Basilone and Mannella.   Strnisha started all 19 games a season ago, while Shasko was an all-WPIAL performer at perennial powerhouse Norwin High School in each of the past four seasons.

Outside mid will be another hotly contested spot, with sophomore Katie Messinger (3g, 3a) and junior Allie Lachat (4g, 3a) competing with senior April Andriscin. 

Just like a season ago, the duo of Jessica Urban and Abbey Chabitnoy will fight for time at goalie.  Both saw considerable time in the pipes in 2005.

Last year, Urban, a junior, played in eight games, with a goals against average of 1.80, while in 2004, she started all 18 contests while notching a pair of shutouts.

Chabitnoy started 13 games a season ago in her freshman campaign, recording five shut outs and allowing just 0.80 goals per game.  For her efforts, she was named Honorable Mention All-AMC. 

While the Lady Bearcats are ineligible to qualify for post-season play in the PAC and NCAA Division-III, Saint Vincent will have the opportunity to do so in the Eastern College Athletic Conference, a conglomeration of over 150 Division-III schools located throughout the Northeast. 

“We’d like to win 15 games this year,” said Harmon, “and qualify for the ECAC playoffs.”  He lists Thomas More, Westminster, and Washington & Jefferson as the teams to beat in Saint Vincent’s new conference.

“We have a talented sophomore class coming back,” Harmon said.  “We’ll be more team oriented this year.  More players will be called upon to contribute.  If they do, then I think it’ll be a pretty good season.”

The Lady Bearcats will open the season on September 1^st, traveling to Greensburg to take on cross-town rival Seton Hill University.  Saint Vincent’s PAC opener is slated for September 19^th, a road contest at Westminster.

                                 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Katie Messinger: Messinger, a sophomore midfielder, appeared in all 19 games a season ago, scoring three goals and adding three assists.  The speedy Washington, PA native should see her minutes increased after the departure of All-American midfielders Chris Basilone and Erin Mannella.

Alex Shasko: Shasko, a freshman, will join older sister Ashley on the Lady Bearcat roster.  The midfielder starred at Norwin High School over the past four seasons, being named All-WPIAL, and the playmaker is no stranger to winning, as she led her high school squad deep into the playoffs in each of her four years.

Ashley Bartko: The freshman will compete for time at the outside back position, and Harmon believes that she can make an immdiate impact on the Lady Bearcat defense.  Much like Shasko, she led Norwin High School into the playoffs every year of her career, and should make a seamless transition into the collegiate level.