A top player and assistant coach at Rutgers University, Wagner College second-year head coach Cristina Curiale is no stranger to the Northeast Conference (NEC), having spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Monmouth University where she helped guide the Hawks to a pair of NEC Tournament championships and one NEC regular season title. The Seahawks, who were picked to finish sixth in the 10-team NEC, are coming off a 4-13 season in 2009, open the 2010 campaign with a home game vs. Bucknell on Feb. 24 at 4:00 pm. 

Leading the team as a captains will be senior midfielder Krista Malayter (Cheshire, CT/ Cheshire), along with junior attackers Janine Bright (Commack, NY/ Commack) and Karen Vitkus (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles).

On paper, defense appears to be the strong suit of the 2010 squad as the team will need to find ways to replace the scoring prowess of Kelly Blundin (team-leading 46 points), along with the team's fourth and sixth-leading scorers in Cara Gonzalez (31 points) and Jessica Richmond (20 points) each of whom was lost to graduation.

Attack
Vitkus is the lone starting returner on attack and big things are expected of her as a junior. Bright was expected to be a mainstay on attack and was Wagner's third-leading scorer a year ago with 32 points on 19 goals and 13 assists, but will sit out the 2010 campaign due to injury. Junior Dana Marchitelli (Annapolis, MD/South River) has been stepping up to fill Bright's role, according to Curiale, while junior Karlee Keller (Colorado Springs, CO/Cheyenne Mountain) will see action as well. Freshmen Annie O'Connor (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) and Erika Bulken (Syracuse, NY/C.W. Baker)have been impressive in preseason camp. Bulken is in the same mold as Marchitelli, more of a feeder who will use Marchitelli as a mentor in this role while O'Connor is a tremendous finisher. Also providing depth on attack will be freshmen Jillian Maloney (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) and Sam Idelson (Annapolis, MD/St. Mary's).

“The leadership of the upperclassmen and the competitiveness of the freshmen will allow our attack to come together and be a threat,” said Curiale.

Midfield
Wagner returns two of its leading scorers in sophomore midfielder Carolyn Clark (Syracuse, NY/Westhill), who is coming off a rookie season in which she led the Seahawks in goals (29) and ranked second in points (35). Sophomore midfielder Melanie Garces (San Diego, CA/Westview) finished fifth on the Seahawks in scoring with 30 points on 19 goals and 11 assists to go along with 20 draw controls. Malayter, senior Teri Noll (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge Central), sophomore Lauren Petrik (Syracuse, NY/Baldwinsville) and fellow classmate Katie MacPherson (West Islip, NY/St. John the Baptist) all provide valuable skill and experience to the midfield unit.

“Our midfield is deep and experienced,” said Curiale. “Each one of these players truly epitomizes this position and is able to contribute all over the field.”

Defense
Sophomores Denieda McCollough (Freeport, NY/Freeport) and Chanel Briggins (Freeport, NY/Freeport) are coming off impressive freshmen campaigns while juniors Carly Lyster (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Township), Erica Amlafitano (East Islip, NY/East Islip), and freshman Melanie Gorman (Voorhees, NJ/Shawnee) are all solid and capable defenders. Senior Alyssa Prima (Medford Lakes, NJ/Shawnee), sophomore Casey Lindine and junior Mallory Close will offer quality depth and experience to the Seahawk defensive unit.

“I think our defense is tough and athletic. They complement each other well and work together as a unit,” said Curiale.

Goalie
Wagner returns senior goalkeeper Alex Johnston (Fayetteville, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) who, after posting 175 saves a year ago, ranks second on the Seahawks' career saves list with 462. Junior Marcela Hernandez (Freeport, NY/Freeport), a transfer from C.W. Post, will offer competition at the goalie position while providing depth.

“Alex and Marcela continue to work hard each day battling it out in their position. Their competitive drive and talent will provide leadership and be the backbone in our defensive end,” said Curiale.

“Overall, as a team, we saw the growth and success that the team was able to develop over last year and we're looking to come back in full force to make an impact both within the conference and in non-league games,” Curiale said. “The girls are determined to qualify for the NEC Tournament.”