ALBANY – The Sage women's soccer team will open the 2015 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Albany College of Pharmacy. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.

Head coach Andrew Gamarra is entering his second season at the helm of the program. After posting an impressive 12-6-2 record, the 2014 Skyline Women's Soccer Coach of the Year led the Gators to a Skyline Conference semifinal and an ECAC semifinal in his first season.

"Last year, our team was trying to become a cohesive unit," said Gamarra. "We ran on raw emotion much of the time.  With this year's team, we feel as though we're trying to find chemistry as a team, but our central focus is hard work."

With 10 returners and 17 new comers, Gamarra and the Gators welcome many new talents.

"We were able to add a lot of new faces to this year's team, and we're excited about the talent," said Gamarra.  "Youth can be deceiving at times. Even though we are young, we have a lot of confidence in this group going forward."

The Gators have five straight games on the road before their 2015 home opener against SUNY New Paltz on Sun., Sept. 13 at Lansingburgh High School. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m.

Check out more on the Sage women's soccer squad below.

• Gamarra has named senior Nicole Maher (Glen Clove, NY/Saint Dominic), junior Shelby Sarraino (Watervliet, NY/Shaker) and junior transfer Jamie Hovendon(Oakhurst, NJ / Ocean Township) captains. Maher has played multiple positions in her career at Sage, and she will be asked to meet this challenge again. "Nicole has been the backbone of the team for four years, and her work ethic is unparalleled," said Gamarra. "She will certainly be a general on the field for us."

For Sarraino, Gamarra wants her to lead her peers and provide a strong example for the new Gators. "Leadership comes natural to Shelby," said Gamarra. "Her teammates gravitate towards her, and she injects positivity and enthusiasm into our team."

A transfer from Salisbury, Hovendon is a unique player who brings a high level of experience to the squad. "Jamie strikes the perfect blend of demanding quality play from her teammates while maintaining a patient demeanor," said Gamarra. "You can tell that she is clearly a collegiate soccer veteran."

• On offense, Sage is returning leading goal scorer Savannah Mason (Wynatskill, NY/Averill Park). The Skyline First Team selection recorded 15 goals, four assists and a team-high 34 points. Mason is expected to lead a strong front line. The junior was named the Skyline Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week at the beginning of October after scoring four second half goals to overcome a3-0 halftime deficit to edge Old Westbury 4-3.

•  Junior forward Taylor Lynch (Woodstock, NY/Saugerties) was a key factor in sparking energy in the Gators' offense last year, and she is expected to be a cornerstone of the offense this year. The junior scored 10 goals, the second highest on the team, and added one assist in her first season with Sage. Lynch was named Skyline Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week at the end of October after scoring a total six goals in two games.

• Cassidy Bruen (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville) returns to anchor the midfield in her second season with Sage. The junior totaled six goals, the most among Sage midfielders, and six assists. Joining Bruen in the midfield is senior Shelby Ruppenthal (Albany, NY/Guilderland), junior Rachel Ball (Waterford, NY/Catholic Central) and senior Angelica DeCianni (Green Island, NY/Heatly). Ruppenthal tied for most team assists last season with seven, and she scored five goals. Ball appeared in all 20 games with DeCianni playing in 19 games for the Gators.  

• Adding to the midfield and defense are Sarraino and sophomore Julia Retell(Schaghticoke, NY/Burnt Hills Ballston Lake). Gamarra looks to Sarraino to find a new role on the field. The junior will play a central role in connecting the efforts of the entire team. After an injury stricken season, Retell is expected to come back and give Sage a strong effort on the pitch. The sophomore recorded one assist in 13 appearances. Joining Sarraino and Retell is junior Monica Koralus (Vebank, NY/Milbrook). Koralus recorded one goal and two assists last season. 
• Rounding out the veterans is Maher. The senior is a versatile player who brings a great deal of experience to this year's squad. In her first season with the Gators, Maher was named the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year. The Glen Cove native built on this success and was tied for second on the team in goals with 10 and tied for most team assists with seven last year.

•  New to the Sage offense, freshman Samantha Trimblett (Monroe, NY/ Monroe-Woodbury) adds depth to the front line. A leading goal scorer for her high school and club teams, Trimblett is expected to make an immediate impact for the Gators. Joining Trimblett in her first season on the Gator front line is Joleen Marfone (Remsen, NY/Remsen). 

• New to the Gator midfield is Makenzie Flaherty (Brunswick, NY/Tamarac). Flaherty is a highly technical player and the freshman will add a new dynamic to Sage's attack. Adding depth to the  midfield this season are freshmen Jordyn Logan (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie), Jaycee Volkmann (Stuyvsant, NY/Ichabod Crane), Keeley Paul (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh), Ariannah Logan (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) and Nicole Hume (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes). 

• At defense, Gamarra welcomes Hovendon and freshman Nicole Bauer (Monroe, NY/ Monroe-Woodbury). While at Salisbury, Hovendon brings playoff experience having played in the Capital Athletic Conference finals as a freshman. Bauer is expected to be a critical piece of the back line. The freshman has a strong understanding of the game, and it will help the Gators on both offense and defense. Also new to Sage's defense is freshman Madison Spohr (Ramstein, Germany/Ramstein).

• Gamarra brings in numerous newcomers who can play multiple positions and expand possibilities for the team. Freshmen Becca Solari (Bennington, VT/Arlington Memorial) and Sarah Hume (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) can play any position on the pitch. Seeing time at either midfield or defense are Rachel Pratt (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont), Talia Pascucci (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) and Samantha O'Brien (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison).
• Adding depth at the goalkeeper position is rookie Emaleigh Maloney (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) in her first season with the Gators.

• Joining Gamarra on the coaching staff is Chukwuma Asala, Lauren Mackay and Teagan Waddingham (Sage, '15), will serve as the team's manager.