A New Era Begins

There will be a changing of the guard this season as new Head Coach Mike Biddle takes over the reigns of the women's soccer program at Holy Family. Coach Biddle was a long time assistant on Joe Mikolajewski's staff. Coach Biddle will be inheriting a squad that lost seven seniors. However, a core group of underclassmen remain and the team should be poised to make another run towards a conference title. Assisting Biddle will be Kim Carrelli, returning for her third year. Carrelli is a graduate of Temple University and a four-year starter on the women's soccer team. Joining the coaching staff are newcomers Jill Kehan and Dominic Mangoni. Kehan, is a 2004 graduate of Kutztown University who was team captain and four year letter winner for the Golden Bears women's soccer program. Dominic Mangoni comes to Holy Family from Roman Catholic High School as an assistant where he coached teams that were contending consistently for Catholic League - Southern Division titles.

Senior captains Liza Froncek and Gabby Donnelly will look to emerge from the shadows of departed seniors Michelle Jones, Maria Karasavas, and Amanda Gibbs. "Liza and Gabby have the opportunity to finally lead this team like never before. They are two players that I feel can use their experience and take this team to a new level" commented Coach Biddle. Supporting them will be sophomore forward Theresa Cirino, sophomore midfielder Brianna Redelheim and junior co-captain / defender Colleen Gregory. "Theresa has the ability to be a great scorer up front. With Jonesy (Michelle Jones) gone, it will be up to her to carry the scoring load from the striker position. Colleen is an aggressive defensive player who can always be counted on marking the opponent's top player. Redelheim has the ability to control the tempo of a game from the midfield. It will be important for both Colleen, Theresa, and Brianne to help Liza and Gabby lead this team to another conference championship" commented Coach Biddle.

Winning a championship is never easy, especially when a team has lost seven key seniors. Biddle and his staff went out and brought in a very talented recruiting class. Heading the list of newcomers are freshmen Kelly McGrogan, Erin Smith and Jen Hamill, who's brother Tim Hamill, was a former soccer standout at Holy Family. Transfer, Laura Mautz will look to provide some support to the defensive end of the field. "We are very excited with the addition of our incoming freshmen and transfers. Kelly is a solid goalie who has the chance of winning the starting spot. Jen demonstrates leadership in the way she plays and was an all-catholic selection and she comes from a great soccer family. Laura and Erin will provide us with some much needed depth." commented Coach Biddle.

Taking over a new team is something that Mike Biddle is embracing. His style is somewhat different than former coach Joe Mikilojewski but some things will remain the same. "We will still take great pride in the defense we've shown the past few years under Coach Mik, but we are definitely going to be more aggressive on the offensive end. I want our team to take chances and be more aggressive in creating more offensive opportunities." said Biddle. The schedule will not be kind to the Lady Tigers as they will be taking on some of the top teams in the northeast region. "This year, we decided to schedule the best teams in our region that we could. We have been very successful in the CACC, but we want to see where we stand on a regional and national level. The first four games on this season will be a test on how good we are and how good we can be." Said Biddle

Biddle and his players goal is to bring home another conference championship and become more recognized in the region. "I'm really excited about the upcoming season and the potential for success that we have" commented Coach Biddle.