Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Safirstein Leads Program in Positive Direction in 2008
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| Delmara Reece |
DOBBS FERRY, NY – First year head coach Rachael Safirstein has created an innovative learning environment for the Mercy women’s soccer program. She has used her vast experience to help each student-athlete reach their greatest potential.
“We’re focused on learning and that will lead to more and more success,” Safirstein said. “We will need to take what we do in practice and bring out into the games.”
Safirstein, a University of Texas graduate, has been working hard to instill team values into each student-athlete. She believes that these values are at the beginning of every successful team.
“Team cohesion and buying into the system are two very important aspects,” Safirstein said. “The team has a strong spirit about themselves and is demanding more out of one another.”
Senior Jessica Fabian (Whitehall, PA) will be a large part of Safirstein’s plan for success.
“Jessica will anchor the backfield and will provide leadership for our team,” Safirstein said. “Her teammates have to understand that they have the opportunity to send her off with a great season.”
Junior Casey Kondelka (Bloomingburg, NY) was an All-East Coast Conference Third Team selection in 2007. She will be a leader on defense and makes her presence known in games right away.
The team’s leading scorer in 2007, sophomore forward Delmara Reece (Yonkers, NY), will look to improve upon her production and become a force in the East Coast Conference (ECC). Reece recorded 14 points and seven goals.
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| Casey Kondelka |
Junior forward Ann Meenagh (Dublin, Ireland) was second in points (5) and goals (2) last season. She will be the leader of the midfield.
Safirstein has brought in a strong group of student-athletes to the Mercy campus. Freshman defender Dana Harjus (Lindenhurst, NY) had tremendous success at Lindenhurst High School and will be looking to bring that to the collegiate level.
“Dana has done an unbelievable job. She comes to practice ready to train everyday,” Safirstein said. “Her work ethic is amazing.”
Sophomore defender Stephanie Bann (New Cumberland, PA) and junior Katemah Lewis (Bronx, NY) give the Mavericks some added depth and leadership. Both will be integral parts of the team.
The Mavericks will have some tough non-conference competitors.
Dominican, Bloomfield, Goldey-Beacom, Felician and Caldwell will
all test Safirstein’s team in different ways.
The top competition in the ECC this year will be C.W. Post,
Bridgeport and Dowling. Last season C.W. Post and Bridgeport each
took home a share of the ECC crown.
“Every game will test some part of our soccer and we have
to be ready for each test,” Safirstein said.
As the Blue & White continue to learn Safirstein’s
system and the core team values settle in, the Mavericks will be
looking to become a strong competitor in the ECC.
