United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Women's Soccer

Coast Guard looks to turn things around this season as the Bears welcome 12 freshman to a team that returns eight players that started at least half the games last season.

The Bears, who have won just one New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) game over the past four seasons, were 2-14 overall last year and 0-9 in conference action.

Coast Guard must replace All-conference selection Katie Kurek, who led the team with 10 goals last season and finished with 26 goals, third all-time at the Academy.

Junior Shannah Shelton (1 goal, 5 assists), who led the team with five assists last season, will be joined by talented freshman Rachel Deschene and junior Brittany Fifer, who made ten starts last season, at the forward spots. Freshman Cierra Collins and junior Angela Ingram, who took a year off, will also battle for time at forward.

The Bears welcome back senior Lynn Schrayshuen, who has not played since 2007 when she started 15 games, to bolster the midfield. She will be joined by freshman Jill Kelly. Sophomores Liz Kenis, who started 12 games last season, and Katie Romas, who started all 16 games last season, will battle for the other starting midfield spot.

Senior tri-captains Katie Shveda and Jen Brockway, who each started ten games last season, will anchor the Bears defense. Sophomore Kelsey Freeman, who made eight starts a year ago and freshman Judy Hooymans are also set to start at the defender spots.
Freshmen Emily Marks and Bonnie Carney will compete time at defender for the Bears.

Coast Guard also welcomes back junior tri-captain Mary Mills in goal, she has been solid over the past two seasons and led the NEWMAC with 205 saves last season.

“We have depth all over the field, we are as deep as we have been since I have been here, “ said fourth-year head coach Susan Grant.

“We have 12 freshman on the roster many of whom will get significant playing time and have a chance to make an immediate impact. I am counting on our three captains on defense to provide the leadership on this team,” added Grant.