LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (December 18, 2008) -- The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team enjoyed a memorable 2008 season. The Lady Lions established a school record with 33 goals scored, tied the program mark for wins in a season with four, and received national attention. (30-PAGE SEASON REVIEW GUIDE)
Lincoln finished with a 4-11-2 record and plenty of positives to take into the future. Overall, Lincoln had four different players finish with at least 10 points, the most in the program's brief history. Under fifth year coach Francine Taylor, the women's soccer program continued to blossom.
In addition, the Lady Lions set a program record for goals in a single game during a 7-0 triumph over Gallaudet. Lincoln also had a .500 record at one point during the season for the first time in program history. Without injuries to key players during the month of October, Lincoln may have surpassed its record win total from 2005.
“My overall feeling of this season is positive,” Taylor said. “We accomplished many things to be proud of. Despite having a very full season, we had outstanding results and it's such a positive thing that we're a young team. Yet again, we had players brand new to the game who really came together and delivered.”
Freshman forward Stephanie Anderson (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area HS) led the Lady Lions with 14 goals and 28 points. The 14 goals were a program record for most goals in a single season by an individual player. She finished with three hat-tricks and one memorable five-goal outburst in her first collegiate game against Trinity (DC) University on September 8 that earned her and the program unprecedented national recognition.
Anderson became the first women's soccer player in Lincoln history to be named ECAC Division II Offensive Player of the Week and be featured in Sports Illustrated.
“Stephanie Anderson (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area HS) never stops being hungry,” Taylor said. “She did everything with a smile on her face, from scoring goals to tackling for the ball. She has a humility about her accomplishments. Whenever asked or interviewed about what she has done, she never failed to mention her team and the overall result of the whole effort.”
Sophomore midfielder Shaynita Blanchard (Portmore, Jamaica/Archbishop Carroll) proved to be the perfect complement to Anderson. Blanchard finished with 10 goals and two assists for a total of 22 points. Blanchard has scored 17 goals in two years. Blanchard notched her first career hat-trick during a 7-2 victory over the College of St. Elizabeth's.
Junior Antonia Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) and senior Tia Redden (New Castle, DE/St. Elizabeth's) were the other members of Lincoln's double-digit point party. Jones had four goals, four assists and 12 points. Redden ended the season with 10 points on the strength of four goals and two assists. Redden finished her sterling career with 18 career goals.
“Shaynita is someone I've come to count on,” Taylor said. “She is always present and ready to deliver. I loved her flexibility, wisdom, and experience on the field because it made her versatile. Despite several nagging injuries, she started every game this season and ended it with great results. I look forward to seeing her compete next year.”
Sophomore Joy Floyd (Logan Twp., NJ/Kingsway Regional) displayed tremendous improvement during the season. Her only assist was a memorable one. During a dramatic 2-1 victory over Penn State-Abington, Floyd delivered a pass to Anderson, who headed the ball home for the game winner in overtime. Junior Adaeze Chikwem (Oxford, PA/Oxford Area) was excellent during the season. Chikwem scored her only goal of the season in the win over PSU-Abington.
Junior Danesha Anderson finished with three assists. Freshman keeper Brittany Johnson (Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) and senior Tanina Cook (Landover, MD/Charles H. Flowers) combined for Lincoln's lone shutout this season against Gallaudet. Cook finished with 105 saves and Johnson added 51 saves. Cook also played in the field during the second half of the season.
“I admire Danisha for her energy and hard work this season,” Taylor said. “She is another player who was relatively new to the team, but she brought experience, ball handling and flexibility. Despite a nagging ankle injury, she really had a great impact in the midfield. Joy Floyd (Logan Twp., NJ/Kingsway Regional) made great strides this season. She brought toughness and diligence to the left midfield.”
Floyd formed a seamless relationship with junior Leslie Jefferson (Havre De Grace, MD/). They became a fun pair to watch together. Both players were fearless and easily transitioned to offense.
Combining with the tandem of senior Collene Cumberbatch (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway ), senior Stephanie Poole, junior Nicole Brown and senior Monica Brown (Philadelphia, PA/Prep Charter), they anchored a defense that allowed no more than four goals in 15 of the 17 games. Cumberbatch also recorded her first career assist in the victory over Galladuet.
Seven of Lincoln's 11 defeats were by two goals or fewer, including three by one goal. The Lady Lions were close this season to finishing with a better record. They were fun to watch and made their share of headlines with hard-work, sacrifice and teamwork.
“It was great to see the women tie the record for games and surpass the goals scored record. It was so exciting to have them work hard for that. I believe that injuries cost us even more wins, but we'll be stronger next year,” Taylor said. “As the existing team matures and learns even better how to work together, we are adding experienced players to round out a strong group of athletes who will continue to achieve record-setting results.”
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