Fall Sports Media Day Highlights
Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications
SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State hosted their annual media day for its fall teams on Wednesday, August 30th. Here are some quotes provided by coaches and players on the upcoming 2023 season.
Women's Soccer
Head coach Nicolle Wood is entering her 16th season as head coach. The two-time coach of the year talked about her expectations for this upcoming season.
"I think that last year we really had high expectations and then we had a ton of injuries to some key players and it never felt that we got our feet under us. I feel we have improved our level of fitness and the entire team has bought into what we are trying to do. With a really good recruiting class and great leadership, I'm hopeful that we could host a playoff game in November. It is always the goal and it means that you got thru the first round and you're playing in the semifinals."
Defenseman Macy Hudzik is Biology major from Dracut, Mass., who is heading into her senior season. On turning around their record from last year. "As a unit we are so good, and if we all play together and instead of individually I think we can go really go far this year."
Midfielder Sydney Durkin is a Business Marketing major from Dracut Mass. How the freshmen can learn from the seniors? "The freshmen can learn from us from by playing our style and learning positioning. They're doing a great job so far picking it up and I am excited what they can do in the first couple of games."
Goalie Lily Pfefferle is an Interdisciplinary Studies from St. Paul, Minn., who is now in her senior season. One improvement she made from last season to this season was working on improving her fitness. "My fitness is completely different; I feel like I am a different player. I feel faster and I feel I am ready to go."
Midfielder Hannah Magee is a Physical Education major from Salem, Mass., who is a graduate student. She mentioned her biggest inspiration is her mom as she was a three-sport athlete. To improve her overall game she played in a summer league to get ready for the season. "I participated in a summer league this year, which allowed me to work on my skills during the off-season."
Men's Soccer
Head coach Matt Correia is now in his sixth season leading the men's soccer program, which has delivered MASCAC Championships in 2017 and 2021. Correia talked about why his team has been dominant lately in conference games.
"I think our guys just really understand the importance of conference games. They are really locked in for it and we have tons of support at home and on the road from our fans, and I think that our guys have been able to excel in those moments, those 'big-time games' and hopefully we can continue to do that."
As far as expectations go, coach Correia and his staff are ready to compete for a conference title. "We have some high expectations and we are hoping to compete for a conference tittle and being ranked regionally and hopefully compete in the NCAA Tournament."
Midfielder Landon Picilio is a freshman majoring in Business Management from Warwick, R.I. We talked about what kind of advice that coach Correia and the veterans gave him before the season. "The coaches have been very transparent and helped me throughout, and one of the captains, Brendan Walsh, really took me under his wing during the pre-season."
Forward transfer Vanilton Xavier is from Brockton, Mass. One of the main reasons he decided to transfer to Salem State is because coach Correia believed in his talent. "It's great, and it gives me the confidence that I need. I hope to win a championship, that's the biggest thing for me, so for him to have all the faith in the world in me, I am truly grateful."
Defenseman Dylan Senra from Dartmouth, Mass. is a graduate student who came back to earn his MBA. It was his dad who was the one that inspired him to play soccer and he spoke about what is means to be a captain this season. "The captain role, it was huge. I was very grateful that I was rewarded as captain. I always strived to be an example for our team so I was really happy and gracious to be recognized."
Defenseman James Meli is a marketing major from Dracut, Mass. The senior captain from talked about being ready from the get go. "I mean we have just got to be locked in from the start. Our coach always says it. Just be ready to go at all times as anything can happen. Last year we were upset in the playoffs, so I like to say, 'just be ready to go.'"
Junior Brendan Walsh is a Business major from Westford ,Mass. He talked about the work the team has been doing during the preseason "We have been doing a lot of double sessions, which includes a lot of fitness and a lot of technical work. We prepared over the summer when we got together to workout. We are making sure we are locked in as a group because that group mentality will be huge for this season."
Field Hockey
Head coach Karen Atkinson '11, who is now in her second season, talked about what she learned in her first season as head coach.
"Last year I stepped in as a head coach and it was my first time in that role and there was a big learning curve for me. I had been the assistant prior to that, so it was kind of a transition going from an assistant role to the head coach and I learned that I really need to be more laid back, and just try and elevate our playing in a different way then I did last year."
Midfielder and captain Mikayla Mason is a Psychology major from Beverly, Mass. One adjustment she made from last year is to " Try and bring a more positive mindset and positive attitude to the team."
Her twin sister Melanie Mason is also a midfielder and is majoring in Media and Communications. On being named a captain she added, "I feel really good to take on that that responsibility and also know that my coaches and my teammates trust me in that leadership role."
Goalkeeper Izzy Mosley is a freshman majoring in Psychology from Middleborough, Mass. An adjustment she believes she has to make going from high school to college is time management and preparing for the increased level of competition. "The team has been really fun, and I have made a lot of good connections with my teammates this pre-season and I am excited for the first game.
Volleyball
Head coach Karen McNulty is entering her sixth season and talked about which key players are going to make an impact this upcoming season.
"It is really hard to pick. I think that senior Abigail O'Connor is going to have an impact because we are a fairly a young team and she is the most experienced collegiate player. I think we going to see some good stuff defensively and our MVP from two years ago Eva Haralabatos will be setting and last year's MVP, Kailey Roche who is a libero, will play a major role."
Coach McNulty is excited to see the freshmen playing this upcoming season and gave me some insight on those players and what we should expect from them during the course of the season.
"Freshman Celia Carbone, who is a setter, has done a great job for us during pre-season. We have a freshmen defensive specialist from Maryland, Kenzie Currey who we are excited to have. We have a another first-year player, sophomore Gianna Mahoney from Revere who is another defensive specialist. Outside middle hitter from Haverhill, Mass., Haley Philips who will also be playing basketball is a great athlete and an interesting student-athlete from Celebration, Florida, who grew up in China, Maya Lily Dunn has done a great job for us as a defensive specialist."
Setter Celia Carbone is a Biology major from Lynnfield, Mass. She talked about the biggest adjustment from high school to college. "It is definitely the speed and the power of the game. It is much more advanced and there really is no time to think, so is just go, go, go..."
Middle blocker and senior captain Abigail O'Connor is an Education major from Gilford, N.H. A two-time captain, O'Connor doesn't take the honor lightly. "It means a lot, as this is my last year here. I was a captain last year, so to be respected enough to be voted back in by my teammates is something I don't take for granted.
Setter and junior captain Eva Haralabatos is majoring in Sports Movement Science and is from Melrose, Mass. Her mom inspired her to play the sport. She is most looking forward to "making connections and bonding with her teammates."
Libero and a setter, sophomore captain Kailey Roche is majoring in Biology and is from Billerica, Mass. She talked about what additional responsibilities she has being one of the captains of the team. "Holding the team accountable and supporting everyone and just being that person that people can go to if they need anything, is important."
Women's Tennis
Head coach Chen Chen '18 is now in his second season as head coach of the women's tennis team. This season, "we expect that we are going to make it back to the playoff's, especially since we got everyone back and I believe everyone is getting better as well. We have some young talent and we also have some returning athletes that can be a make an impact on the team."
Captain Samantha Tenney is a Psychology major from Danvers, Mass. What she is looking forward to this season are seeing the freshman play. "I am looking forward to seeing our newest athletes grow and we have a lot of new prospects that are freshmen. I am excited to see them develop new skills and compete at a new level." Being named captain means something for the Danvers native. "It really means being a leader and making sure that when people think about Salem State women's tennis, they have positive thoughts on their mind."
Freshman Ryann Tripp is majoring in Sports and Movement Science and is from Wareham, Mass. She started playing the game recently as two years ago. She talked about the differences from high school to college knowing that the competition is going to be harder. "It definitely is more competitive and I am constantly restringing and regrouping my rackets more often than I would during high school. I feel there is more togetherness as a team in college."