Women's Soccer Season Preview

The 2023 MCCC women’s soccer team is hoping to improve upon the success of the 2022 season and the first undefeated regular season in program history.  The Vikings will be led by first year Head Coach Ron Stinson. Stinson takes over a program that finished 15-1 and reached the Region 19 Championship, losing to Sussex 4-1 in the title game.

 

Stinson hopes to follow in the success of previous coaches and teams this season but also hopes his players enjoy their experience playing at MCCC.  “My goals for the season are to try to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, have the MCCC women's soccer team continue the great tradition that I believe they have created over the years, learn to play as a team, represent MCCC in a professional manner, and most of all, I believe these young ladies should have fun and enjoy the experience of being a student athlete. “

 

Stinson hopes to “bring a mindset, a culture, and a work ethic to MCCC that inspires every player on the team to give 100% every day, regardless of what that 100% is on that particular day. I want players to lead, take ownership of the team, and make it their team.”

 

The Vikings return just three players from last year’s squad, but these veteran players will be counted on for their leadership.  The returning sophomores are forwards Liz Kelley (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor South) and Victoria Woodruff (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) and midfielder Hannah Worrell (Florence, NJ/Florence Township Memorial). 

 

Despite few returning players, Stinson is pleased with what he has seen in his players in preseason and believes the team can be very successful this fall.  “If the coaching staff is leading the way, this can be a good team, but if the players lead the way, this can be a great team.  They need to buy into that, and from what I've seen so far during preseason, these young ladies are doing just that.  I'm very impressed by what I've seen and the family style atmosphere that already exists.”

 

The newcomers include a combination of international and local players.  Local players expected to make an impact for the Vikings include freshmen midfielders Vivian Kestler (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) and Carley Krajacsovics (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert). 

 

International players who are expected to contribute on the defensive side include freshmen Sarah Kircher (Celle, Germany/Herman Billung Gymnasium Celle), Laura Kucharz (Singen, Germany/Friedrich Wohler Gymnasium Singen), Fiona Madigan (Dublin, Ireland/Fingal Community College), and Luana Nascimento (Cariacica, Brazil/Colegio Estadual Do Espirito Santo) and freshmen goalkeepers Maria Eduarda Olindino (Brazil/Complexo Educacional Do Cariri) and Celina Oliveria (Portgual/Escola Basica e Secoudario Do Vale Do Ancura).  Offensive newcomers include freshmen wingers Annika Maringer (Schwieberdingen, Germany/Gymnasium IP Asperg) and Victoria Minutentag (Brazil/Complexo Educacional Do Cariri).

 

Stinson expects the team to compete within Region 19 as well as with their other opponents including top NJCAA Division I teams Monroe CC and CCBC-Essex and top Division III teams RCSJ-Gloucester and Ocean CC.  In addition to hosting Sussex on October 4th, the Vikings will host Division II opponents Lackawanna on Sept. 30th and travel to Essex on September 9 ^th.

 

The Vikings open their season at home on Saturday, August 26 ^th at 2:00 PM vs Suffolk CCC.

 

 

 

 

 

First Year Head Coach Ron Stinson

       

  Sophomore forward Victoria Woodruff

 

      

  Sophomore forward Liz Kelley

 

     

  Sophomore midfielder Hannah Worrell