December 13, 2006
Eagle Women's Soccer Returns to GNAC Play in 2007
 

The Daniel Webster College women’s soccer program will return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference play beginning with the 2007 season.

“I am pleased to announce that our women’s soccer program will return to GNAC play and be eligible to compete for a conference championship,” noted Phil Rowe, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Athletics. “The reinvigoration of our program will allow us to continue our recruiting efforts and allow us to continue our goal of creating one of the top programs not only in the conference but the region.”

The program has taken on a new direction under the guidance of second year Head Coach Tom McGuinness. After rebuilding the program as a club team in 2005, McGuinness guided the program to a solid 5-7-1 overall season this past Fall competing as an independent. The season included two victories over Mitchell, and wins over Maine-Machias, St. Joseph (Vt.), Hesser and once and future GNAC cross town rival Rivier.

“We’re very excited and eager to return this program to GNAC play,” noted McGuiness. “The GNAC offers outstanding women’s soccer and we look forward to the challenges ahead of us. Our recruiting efforts combined with the support of the College will help us continue to move forward towards out goal of challenging for a conference title.”

Having competed with nine schools this past season, 14 GNAC institutions will compete in women’s soccer in 2007. Along with Daniel Webster, Suffolk will elevate to varsity next season and join Albertus Magnus, Emerson, Emmanuel, Johnson & Wales, Norwich, Pine Manor, Rivier, Saint Joseph (Conn.), and Simmons. The league will also add three new programs with Lasell, Mount Ida and Saint Joseph’s (Maine).

As a member of the NCAA Division III GNAC, DWC sponsors 10 varsity programs including men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, and men’s lacrosse. The college also sponsors club men’s ice hockey as a member of the Northeast Collegiate Hockey Association (NECHA).