MIDDLETOWN, PA - Like all great teams, they must first face adversity, and last year´s Lady Lions did just that. With bumps and bruises, pulled muscles and broken bones throughout the season, the Lions were determined to rise above their misfortunes. Lady Lions rose from their hardship and made a big push towards the playoffs. Although they missed the playoffs by one game, the Lions felt proud they fought though the tough times and still managed to pull off a good season.
In 2008 those bumps and bruises have healed for the Lady Lions and now they look to make a name for themselves in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC). With eight returnees coming back for another season, the women´s soccer Coach Mark Brown says, "Our expectations are high. We have improved tremendously from last year and we should be a solid playoff contender." The Lady Lions bring eight newcomers to the team. Coach Brown goes on to say, "The new girls are a good fit for our program. They are good quality players and they definitely increase our level of play," Brown continues, "Our team chemistry is great this year. With the new girls fitting in well with the returnees, that team chemistry should show on the field this year."
This will be the final season for senior, co-captain and midfielder, Katie Hollinger (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) after receiving NEAC 2nd Team All-Conference honors last season. The junior class looks to return solid players such as, co-captain and defender Amanda Basile (Allentown, PA/Emmaus), defender Katelyn Roberts (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) who was a 2nd Team All-Conference player, as well as lead the team in points, assists, goals, and game winning goals, defender Katie Kessler (Calabasas, CA/Palisades Charter) and defender Lindsey Stauffer (Harrisburg, PA/Bishop McDevitt). The sophomore class looks to return three players in 2008. These include forward Tiffany Hoffman (Middletown, PA/Lower Dauphin), defender Jenn Gellatly (Middletown, PA/Lower Dauphin) and defender Ashley Jensen (Levittown, PA/Neshaminy).
The newcomers include, midfielder Lacey Eitl (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley), midfielder Kaylen Terry(Palmyra, PA/Palmyra Area), goalie Angela Gilmore (Millersburg, PA/Millersburg Area), midfielder Adrienne Stine (York, PA/Northeastern), forward Kendall Wallace (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley), midfielder Kelsie White (Tacoma, WA/Carlisle), forward Jessi Manion (North Wales, PA/North Penn), and midfielder Sarah Bellido (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley).
