BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Seniors Kaylan Bruzzone and Kirsten Schall and junior Melissa Pavia have been named the 2014 captains for the Moravian College women's soccer team.
Bruzzone is entering her third season with the Greyhounds and will be a three-year starter on the defensive side of the field for Moravian. Over the last two seasons, Bruzzone has started all 41 matches and added a pair of goals with one game-winner. She also earned a spot on the 2013 Landmark Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll.
"Kaylan demonstrates great poise and leadership in the backline," stated first-year Head Coach Jeff Ykoruk. "This allows for our defenders to be confident and relaxed in pressure situations. Her athleticism and strong play in the air make it extremely difficult for attacking players to beat her. She sets a high standard for what we want from players in our program both on and off the field."
Pavia is in her third year at Moravian as a midfielder/forward. She played in 14 matches last fall, starting 13, with two goals and an assist before an injury cut her season short. Pavia, who was also on the 2013 Landmark Fall Academic Honor Roll, started all 21 matches in her freshman season with three goals and two assists.
"Melissa's return from an ACL injury showed all of the players in the program what hard work and determination is all about," Ykourk said. "Her drive and passion has her returning to the form that created problems for opposing teams defenders. Off the field she provides a spirited attitude that helps keep our culture strong."
Schall is beginning her fourth season as a starter on the offensive side of the field for the Hounds. She led Moravian in scoring last season with 31 points on 11 goals and nine assists despite missing three contests with an injury, and Schall was named to the Landmark All-Conference Second Team and the Landmark Fall Academic Honor Roll. As a sophomore, Schall was selected as the Landmark Co-Offensive Player of the Year and also earned spots on the Landmark All-Conference First Team and Academic Honor Roll with 23 points on eight goals and seven assists while starting all 21 matches. Schall garnered a spot on the Landmark All-Conference Second Team as a freshman, starting the final 11 matches of the season after returning from an injury. Schall is currently tied for fourth in career assists with 17, tied for seventh in points with 55 and tied for ninth in goals with 19 in the Greyhounds' record book.
"Kirsten is one of the more dynamic strikers in the Mid-Atlantic region," commented Ykoruk. "Her pace and ability to finish with both feet creates serious problems for opposing teams. She also is dangerous on set-pieces which provides us with even more opportunities to score goals. Her focus and hard work during training and games gives our younger players in our program a great example of what a top tier player looks like."
Moravian will open its 2014 season on Friday, August 29 when the Hounds welcome Marywood University to the HUB Quad for a 3:30 p.m. non-conference match.
