By Steve Siniski
The Lady Bruins welcome back just two seniors in goaltender Jessica Stegmann, the leader of the team's backline of defense, as well as forward Erika Myrill, one of Baldwin's top scorers a year ago. "Jessica played outstanding for us at times last year," Baldwin coach Don Schreier said. "Now, she has to play at a top level [all the time], because we're young in front of her."
Indeed, the Bruins are looking for two new outside backers to help clamp down on the corners where one of last year's anchors, senior Andrea Giliberti, will be sorely missed. Giliberti, who could miss part or all of the season due to injury, helped guide the Bruins to a 6-2 finish after moving to one of the outside backer spots.
Leanna Cummo, an All-Conference outside back, has shifted inside to stopper, leaving the another void to be filled. Kaitlin Collica returns at sweeper, and Nicole Eatz, a one-time forward, will bring her toughness and speed to the backline as well.
Perhaps the Bruins best mix of players comes at midfield, where Monica Scheiner, Sara Dowling and Iris Boci are all competing for playing time. But the three are not alone in hoping to earn time in the middle. A pair of freshmen, Kelly Henderson and Jillian Grimm, are also working to earn a piece of the playing time pie.
With Myrill returning up front along with Priscilla Frangese and Kelly O'Connor, the Baldwin offense came out of camp holding the most potential.
"We've got to score goals," Schreier said. "We've shown the ability that we can in practice and we have good team speed. All the girls will get a chance to contribute, and we'll see what they can do."
For the Baldwin boys, the turnover rate has also been great following the team's first winning campaign in three seasons.
"The guys learned to win last year and that was very big," Baldwin's Michael Dillon said as he enters his second season on the sidelines. "We had close to 70 players come out for the team this year."
The biggest task facing the Bruins is developing a core of younger players and helping them adapt to the style of varsity play. "Our seniors are going to take a big role," Dillon said. "We have talented guys and can put 11 on the field who can play with touch. But, they're not necessarily physically mature. We have to get them to learn to be more physical, and our non-league schedule will be a baptism, to show the guys what we might be facing [during conference play]."
The Bruins defense was hit the hardest, although Baldwin does have goaltender Danny Cepero, an All-Conference goaltender, back in the fold along with senior sweeper Kevin Riley, who has worked his way into the starting lineup because of his intelligent, hard-nosed style of play.
Jerry Benson, another returnee steps in at outside backer, while Adam Crystal, who shares the role of team captain with Cepero, is back as an anchor at midfield.
Baldwin's playoff run was full of nail-biting games, as the team scored 14 goals and allowed nine, and its on offense where the Bruins are hoping to pick up the pace. Jordan Rose stands to have the biggest impact, thanks to his playmaking ability and excellent field vision.
"Last year we set goals and attained them all," Dillon said. "But reaching the playoffs isn't going to be good enough anymore. We've set first place [as the new goal]."
