Felician University

The 2001 Felician College Women’s Soccer Team was a standard-bearer for future Golden Falcon women’s programs.

 

Felician posted a won-lost-tied record of 14-3-2. The Golden Falcons captured the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference regular-season title (8-0-2), a first for one of their women’s teams, and reached the finals of the league tournament. They advanced to the NAIA Region X Championship tournament, still the only squad in Felician women’s soccer history to play in national competition. The team’s 14 wins, eight consecutive wins, and 12-game unbeaten streak are all still program records.

 

Many individual accolades followed. The junior striker tandem of Anna Bartsch and Valerie Esposito were both elected All-CACC. Bartsch, junior midfielder Leah Maurin, and sophomore goalkeeper Daniela Videira were NAIA All-Region selections, with Bartsch going on to earn NAIA Third-Team All-America Honors.

 

Head Coach Ben “JR” DiNallo was also recognized by his peers. DiNallo was named Coach of the Year by both the CACC and by NAIA Region X.

 

2001 Women’s Soccer is the third team to enter the Felician Athletics Hall of Fame, preceded by 2000 Men’s Soccer and 2007 Men’s Cross-Country.

 

Felician would reach the CACC finals in women’s soccer again in 2002 and 2003.