BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Senior Taylor DiSora and junior Kirsten Schall have been named as captains for the 2013 Moravian College women's soccer team for a second straight season.
"We feel very fortunate to return two of our three captains for the 2013 season," stated fourth-year Head Coach Brienne Smith. "Both Taylor and Kirsten did an excellent job for us last fall. Our team made great strides in 2012 and both captains were recognized by the conference for their contributions to our success."
DiSora, a midfielder, is a three-year starter for the Greyhounds and is coming off of a season that saw her named to the 2012 Landmark All-Conference Second Team. In 57 career matches, DiSora has contributed three goals and two assists for Moravian.
"Taylor feels good about the progress our program has made over the last three seasons, but she is disappointed that we came up short in the championship game," Smith said. "As a senior, Taylor recognizes that she and her classmates have one last chance to contribute to the program's success. She has put in the work in the off season, and she is in the best shape of her career. After watching her play in Barcelona this past week, I can tell you that her hard work has paid off. Her touch is sharp, she is strong on the ball, and she is playing with intensity. She is more determined than ever and I am excited to see where her leadership takes this team."
Schall, also a midfielder, is the reigning Landmark Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and she was on the All-Conference First Team last fall after leading the Greyhounds with eight goals and seven assists. Schall was on the Landmark All-Conference Second Team as a freshman in 2011 and has played in 32 career matches.
"Kirsten returns this fall after an impressive season," Smith stated. "I know she is proud of her accomplishments, but she will not be satisfied with her performance until the team brings home a conference title. As expected, Kirsten continues to raise the bar for herself and her teammates. She played some of her best soccer yet in Barcelona, and I get the feeling that she is just getting warmed up. She has also begun to embrace her role as a leader on this team. She led mainly by example last fall, but this past week she proved that she is ready to step up and take a more assertive role."
The Greyhounds are set to return ten starters and 15 letterwinners from the 2012 squad that was 10-9-2 overall and reached the Landmark Conference Championship match and the ECAC Division III South Quarterfinals.
"Our other seniors, Genevieve Chaleff and Caroline Clark, will also play an integral role in leading the team this fall," Smith explained. "They are extremely passionate about the game and their energy on field is contagious. They both add a vocal element that complements our two captains. This is a special group of seniors. They are determined, and they believe that this is the year to bring the title back to Moravian. With the talent that we have returning, and the depth that the new players will add, a conference championship is certainly an attainable goal."
The squad will report to campus on Friday, August 16th and begin their preseason camp on Saturday, August 17th. Moravian returned from an eight-day international trip to Barcelona, Spain last Friday.
