Women's Soccer | July 15, 2016

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PHILADELPHIA—Head coach Paul Royal has announced the schedule for the 2016 La Salle women's soccer season as the Explorers look to get back to the NCAA Tournament.

"As it has been in recent years, we've loaded up with some of the nation's best programs that we feel will help prepare us for a very competitive Atlantic 10 season and another run towards an NCAA bid," said head coach Paul Royal.

The Explorers open the season on August 19 against North Carolina State in the Wake Forest Invitational before taking on the Demon Deacons on August 21. La Salle returns to Philadelphia for a crosstown matchup at Drexel on August 25.

The Blue and Gold host Temple on August 28 for their home opener. They'll also welcome Northeastern (9/2) and Villanova (9/15) to McCarthy Stadium for nonconference action. La Salle will also take on Penn State (9/11) and St. John's (9/18) on the road before starting conference play at home against Massachusetts on September 29.

The Explorers also host George Washington (10/6), Saint Joseph's (10/9), Saint Louis (10/13) and George Mason (10/27) in Atlantic 10 play. The women face conference road matches at Davidson (10/2), Dayton (10/13), VCU (10/16), Richmond (10/20) and Duquesne (10/30).

To help fight through the rigors of the Atlantic 10, the Explorers welcome seven incoming freshmen to the program.

"We're very excited to add such a talented group of quality people for our upcoming season," Royal said. "This class will add quality depth, competitiveness to our training environment and balance to our wide play, backline and midfield. Jamie, Jess and I feel very confident that we have a great mix of hard working players that will fit in very well with our team chemistry both on and off the field."

Casey Ritter       
Philadelphia, Pa./Little Flower High School for Girls
FC Bucks Red 97

Two-time All-Catholic Selection at Little Flower…Helped the Sentinels to the Catholic League Semifinals all four seasons…Played EPYSA ODP from 2012-2014…EPYSA 2015 State Champions with FC Bucks Red 97…2013 Disney Showcase finalist…2013 JAGS Tournament Champions…2013 Region 1 Colonial League finalists…2013 USFF Atlantic Region Futsal Champions… Volunteered at the St. Francis Inn Soup Kitchen in Philadelphia…Helped train youth soccer at the Philadelphia Soccer Club.

Ritter on choosing La Salle: "When I stepped on La Salle's beautiful campus I knew it was the right school for me. La Salle provides the student to teacher ratio that I was looking for, which will allow me to receive a great education. I have attended Catholic school my entire life and wanted to continue in a Catholic University that was close to home. The soccer program at La Salle will provide the challenge that I am looking for as a player. The coaching staff is top notch and values my abilities as a player. I am excited to begin my journey at La Salle and could not be more thankful for this opportunity."

Coach Royal on Ritter: "Casey adds a wealth of technical ability matched with a toughness on the defensive side of the ball.  Her ability in the midfield to find seems in the final third will help evolve our attack.  We're very excited to see Casey grow and develop into a full time player."

Sarah DeBerardinis         
Medford, NJ/ Shawnee
Medford Strikers Academy

Four-year letterwinner at Shawnee…Scored the game-winning goal in the Group IV Semifinal win over Toms River North…Helped Renegades to a Conference Championship and the Courier Post 2015 Team of the Year designation…Finished the season ranked 12^th in the region… Member of the Regional I ODP team in 2014-2015, playing in Switzerland, Italy, and France… Played NJ ODP for 2 years…Finalists in the 43rd International Tournament of Menton... Four-year honor roll student… Volunteered at Universal Soccer Academy, teaching younger children how to play soccer.

DeBerardinis on choosing La Salle: "I chose La Salle because when I went to see a game I loved their style of play. When I visited and met the team and coaches I loved it. After the visit and game, I knew it was the school for me."

Coach Royal on DeBerardinis: "We are so excited to have landed one of James Galanis finest academy players.  Sarah's exceptional 1v1 ability and pace will immediately impact our wide play.  Her high level soccer IQ will allow her to quickly adapt to the college game.  We feel that once Sarah fully commits herself as a box to box midfielder that she'll be a star in the making for our program."

Jess Shanahan
Mullica Hill, N.J./The Episcopal Academy
NJ Rush 97

Helped Episcopal to Inter-AC Championship as a senior… All-Delco 1st Team… All-Main Line 1st Team… All Inter-AC 1st Team…Voted Team MVP…Helped NJ Rush 97 to 2014 U16 US Club NJ Cup Championship and 2014 U16 USYS NJ State Cup Championship…2014 U16 National Championship Series Region I Semi-Finalists… ODP State/Regional (98) from 2011 – 2013…ODP Championship 1997 Girls in Arizona (2/14)…Also ran track at Episcopal, helping the Churchwomen to the 2015 Inter-AC Championship…Ran at 2015 Track Nationals (Greensboro, N.C.)
               
Shanahan on choosing La Salle: "Many factors went into my decision to choose La Salle University.  The girls on the soccer team seemed to be such a close-knit family to me from my very first visit.  After meeting with the coaches I felt they had a lot of goals and expectations which would give me the opportunity to compete at the high level I had hoped for.  La Salle University has the competitive environment that can make me a better person on and off the field, and the type of people who will be there to motivate and support me."

Coach Royal on Shanahan: "Jess will immediately bring us high level experience having participated in US Soccer's Youth National Team camps.  Her confidence, passion and competitive fire should allow her to become an impact to our already talented midfield.  Jess possesses a great endurance base that will help contribute to our up tempo possession and transition style.  Once Jess gains the strength at this level we can see her becoming an elite player in the Atlantic 10 Conference."

Payton Flores                   
Fairfax Station, Va./South County
Fredericksburg FC

Played Virginia ODP for four years… US Youth Soccer's National League Champions two time state champions…Disney Champions… Member of the National Honor Society…Volunteered at a local elementary school, helping disabled children play soccer and basketball.

Flores on choosing La Salle: "I chose La Salle because it is such a family environment, there is always someone to help support you and everyone believes in each other. The team has a great work ethic and they all want to make themselves better on the field as well as make themselves a better person. The coaching staff is great and they also really want to make you better on the field and as a person. It is a high intensity environment that will be sure to make me succeed in the next four years. Go Explorers!"

Coach Royal on Flores: "Payton was a surprise late pick up from her high level Fredericksburg club team. After coming off an injury her junior year, she was overlooked by many top programs. Payton will add a technical ability and speed of play that will the future style of play for us.  She has the fitness level that allows her to constantly support play and make quality decisions on the ball.  And at this level, she will be expected to complement our midfielder or outside backs."

Taylor Newhart                                
Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford
Continental FC ECNL  

Two time All Pioneer Athletic Conference (2013 & 2015) and two-time All-Area First Team Selection at Spring-Ford… Team Captain as a senior…Helped the Golden Rams to a pair of PAC 10 Championships (2013-2014)…District 1-AAA Semifinals (2015)…PIAA-AAA State Quarterfinals (2013-2015)…PIAA-AAA State Runner-Up (2013)…. Team Captain of Continental FC ECNL (2014-2015)…Named Top Drawer Player to Watch (2015)…ECNL PDP ID2 Invite (2015)… 2013 Jefferson Cup Champs (FC Delco)…2nd  place finish in ECNL league 2016…National Honors Society.
 
Newhart on choosing La Salle: "When I went on my first visit to La Salle, everything just felt right. I love the size of the school and I knew it would be the perfect place for me because it would challenge me both academically and athletically."

Coach Royal on Newhart: "We are so excited to have landed such a talented central defender in Taylor. Her exceptional pace and ability to shut down top level attackers in the open field will be something that sets her apart in the A10.  We feel she will have the potential here at La Salle to be similar to one of our all-time greats, Jess Hopton.  We expect Taylor to compete for valuable playing time on the backline this season."

Emily Wilkinson
Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South
Continental FC ECNL

Three-time all-league selection and four-year varsity starter...Helped South to the State Tournament in 2014…District qualifier 2012-14…Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2012…Brain Eastburn Memorial award…Two years ECNL…2nd  place finish in ECNL league in 2016…Three-year varsity track letterwinner…Class Dedication Award…Four- year Distinguished Honors student…Volunteers with Athletes Helping Athletes.

Wilkinson on choosing La Salle: "I chose LaSalle because of the feeling when I first stepped on campus. I felt like I was at home. I love the team and the coaches. They want to work hard every day and push each other to be their best. LaSalle has a great academic reputation and a great soccer program. It's close to home and in the city. It was everything I could want in a school."

Coach Royal on Wilkinson: "Emily will be a wonderful addition to our La Salle family. After having Emily in our camps back in middle school it has been an amazing development process for her since then.  Emily will bring a hard-working toughness that has been the standard for our defensive midfielder. We feel that she'll have the ability on the ball to help contribute to our highly competitive environment this fall."

Calista Long
Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield
Penn Legacy '97 Black

Four-year varsity letterwinner at Hempfield…Team Captain...League champions...Section champions...Academic all-star…Sportsmanship Award…Three-time ODP selection...Three-time Pennsylvania State Champion...Undefeated Region I Tournament...Two-time Regional Tournament Selection....National Honor Society…Spanish Honor Society…National Merit Scholar… Volunteered with Hogar Miguel Magone Orphanage, Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots

Long on choosing La Salle: "I love the city of Philadelphia and La Salle's commitment to serving the community."
Coach Royal on Long: "Calista was a nice addition to finalizing our roster.  Upon coming off a tough injury last fall, we are hoping that she'll be ready to compete in our training environment this fall.  We are very excited to have Calista join our program.  Her ability to succeed in the classroom and field will help add to our culture."