2009Rhode Island

College

Women's Lacrosse

Senior Defender

Sherri Heard

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Front Row (left to right): Nichole Grimshaw, Chiara Razzino, Katelyn Chouinard, Molly Voyer, Suany Almonte.Middle Row (left to right): Jenna Childs, Nicky Drolet, Adrienne Gerard, Molly Carbon, Ashleigh Sullivan, Hilary Switzer.

Back Row (left to right): Head Coach Mike Koperda, Emily Conte, Allie Macamaux, Sherri Heard, Kayla Laprade, Jessica Shiel, Assistant Coach Crystal Colagiovanni.

2009 Rhode Island College Women's Lacrosse Roster

The 2009 Rhode Island College Women's Lacrosse Team

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# Name Year Position Hgt. Hometown/High School

1 Katelyn Chouinard Sophomore Defense/Attack 5-2 Warwick, RI/Veterans

3 Adrienne Gerard Freshman Attack 5-7 Cranston, RI/Cranston West

4 Sherri Heard Senior Defense 6-0 Coventry, RI/Coventry

5 Suany Almonte Sophomore Midfield 4-11 Warwick, RI/Veterans

6 Allie Macamaux Freshman Defense 5-8 Hope, RI/Scituate

7 Chiara Razzino Freshman Attack/GK 5-4 Providence, RI/Classical

8 Nicky Drolet Freshman Attack 5-5 Somersworth, NH/Somersworth

9 Molly Voyer Freshman Attack 5-4 Lincoln, RI/Lincoln

10 Ashleigh Sullivan Freshman Midfield 5-4 Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue

11 Molly Carbon Freshman Defense 5-5 Bellingham, MA/Bellingham

12 Jessica Shiel Senior Defense/Attack 5-9 Warwick, RI/Pilgrim

13 Kayla Laprade Freshman Defense/GK 5-8 Seekonk, MA/Seekonk

14 Jenna Childs Freshman Midfield/Def. 5-4 Cranston, RI/Cranston West

16 Hilary Switzer Sophomore Goalkeeper 5-4 Woonsocket, RI/Woonsocket

18 Emily Conte Junior Midfield 5-6 North Providence, RI/North Providence

Head Coach: Mike Koperda

Assistant Coach: Crystal Colagiovanni

Captains: Emily Conte, Sherri Heard

Meet the Head Coach

Head Coach Mike Koperda

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Mike Koperda begins his first season as the head women's lacrosse and soccer coach at Rhode Island College.

“It is an absolute honor, pleasure and opportunity to begin coaching women’s soccer and lacrosse at Rhode Island College,” Koperda said. “With the cost of education today, the opportunity for student-athletes to succeed both academically and athletically has never been better.”

Koperda has over 30 years of industry experience in both professional and collegiate athletics. He most recently served as the General Manager of the Family Soccer Center in Norwich, NY from 1999-2008, where he oversaw and coached a variety of soccer and lacrosse leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics and training. During this time span, Koperda served as the Head Coach of FSC’s travel select team program, the New York Dash Soccer Club. He was the Head Boys Varsity Soccer Coach at Rome (NY) Free Academy for two seasons.

He spent four years as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Morrisville State, compiling a 37-34-2 career record, from 1999-2002. Koperda restored a winning tradition to the Mustangs’ soccer program during his time there. The four years prior to his arrival, Morrisville State was 23-40-3, a 61 percent improvement in victories.

During his tenure, the Mustangs spent time in the national rankings, with the highest being eighth. Koperda led Morrisville State to its first postseason berth in seven seasons in 1999, reaching the semifinals of the Northeast Region. He coached three All-Americans and six All-Regional selections.

He was a member of the Syracuse Blitz’s Premier Soccer Club’s coaching staff from 1996-2003 and the Head Youth Soccer Coach of Deerfield (NY) AYSO for 18 years (1990-2007).

He formally was an Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach in New York state, as well as, a National Staff Coach for the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO).

Koperda spent four years in professional baseball sports management from 1978-81, while working for the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves organizations.

He is the founder of Soccer Saves Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that financially helps under-privileged youth with outstanding soccer skills who are looking to pursue a career in collegiate soccer. It was recently featured in an issue of the New York Times.

He owns a variety of soccer coaching licenses, the highest of which is a German "A" license badge, in addition to numerous USSF, NSCAA and AYSO certifications.

Koperda is a 2006 graduate of Empire State College, earning a bachelor degree in professional studies. He earned a master’s degree in sports management from Cortland State in 2007.

Koperda resides in Greenville, Rhode Island. He has two sons, Kenneth (23) and Joseph (16).

Meet the Coaches

Assistant Coach Crystal Colagiovanni

Crystal Colagiovanni begins her third season as the assistant women’s lacrosse coach at Rhode Island College. She assists Head Coach Mike Koperda with all phases of the RIC women’s lacrosse program including, recruiting, scouting, administering practice and game coaching.

The Johnston, Rhode Island native is no stranger to Rhode Island College women’s lacrosse fans, wrapping a four-year career as an Anchorwoman in 2006.

During her career, she played in 56 games, starting 54 of them. She had 68 goals and 12 assists for 80 career points. Colagiovanni compiled 196 shots, 176 ground balls, 59 draw controls and 41 caused turnovers in her career. She is second all-time at RIC in shots, goals, ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers. Colagiovanni is fourth in assists and points.

As a senior in 2006, she played in 13 games, starting all of them. She had 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points. She compiled 39 shots, 54 ground balls, 23 draw controls and 16 caused turnovers.

As a junior in 2005, Colagiovanni played in 15 games, starting 13 of them. She had 22 goals and one assist for 23 points. Colagiovanni also compiled 40 ground balls, 20 draw controls and five caused turnovers.

As a sophomore in 2004, she was named Second Team All-Little East. Colagiovanni played 15 games, starting all of them. She had 32 goals and two assists for 34 points. Colagiovanni compiled 59 ground balls, 12 draw controls and 14 caused turnovers.

As a freshman in 2003, she played in 13 games, starting all of them. She had three goals and two assists for five points, 23 ground balls, six caused turnovers and four draw controls. As a goaltender, she played in nine games, starting eight of them. She had 89 saves, a save percentage of .500 and a 12.14 goals-against average.

She graduated from Rhode Island College in December, 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in special education.

Colagiovanni is currently a elementary special education teacher in the Smithfield Public Schools System. She is single and resides in Johnston, Rhode Island.

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Senior Defender

Jessica Shiel

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Day Date Opponent TimeTues. Mar. 17 CURRY 4 p.m.Thurs. Mar. 19 at Elms 4 p.m.Sat. Mar. 21 BRIDGEWATER STATE NoonThurs. Mar. 26 at Worcester State 7 p.m.Sat. Mar. 28 WESTERN CONNECTICUT * 1 p.m.Mon. Mar. 30 LASELL 4 p.m.Thurs. Apr. 2 at Westfield State 7 p.m.Sat. Apr. 4 at Keene State * 3 p.m.Mon. Apr. 6 SALVE REGINA 4 p.m.Thurs. Apr. 9 at Fitchburg State 7 p.m.Sat. Apr. 11 PLYMOUTH STATE * 1 p.m.Tues. Apr. 14 at UMass Dartmouth * 7 p.m.Thurs. Apr. 16 at Roger Williams 4 p.m.Sat. Apr. 18 FRAMINGHAM STATE NoonTues. Apr. 21 at Southern Maine * 4 p.m.Thurs. Apr. 23 NICHOLS 4 p.m.Sat. Apr. 25 EASTERN CONNECTICUT * 1 p.m.Tues. Apr. 28 Little East Tournament First Round TBAThurs. Apr. 30 Little East Tournament Semifinals TBASat. May 2 Little East Tournament Finals TBA

Home Games in Bold* Little East Conference game

2009 Rhode Island College Women's Lacrosse Schedule

Final 2008 Women's Lacrosse Statistics

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2008 RIC Women’s Lacrosse: Game-by-Game Results3-12 Overall Record; 1-5 (fifth place tie) in the Little East Conference

Date Opponent W/L/T Score Record Site March 18 at Curry L 9-19 0-1 Milton, MA March 22 WESTFIELD STATE L 5-14 0-2 Providence, RI March 27 ROGER WILLIAMS L 5-17 0-3 Providence, RI March 31 at Salve Regina L 2OT 15-17 0-4 Newport, RI April 2 at UMass Dartmouth * L 8-14 0-5 North Dartmouth, MA April 7 KEENE STATE * L 8-20 0-6 Providence, RI April 10 SOUTHERN MAINE * L 13-16 0-7 Providence, RI April 12 PLYMOUTH STATE * W 2OT 16-15 1-7 Providence, RI April 15 at Lasell W 11-10 2-7 Newton, MA April 17 at Nichols W 17-14 3-7 Dudley, MA April 19 at Western Connecticut * L 10-23 3-8 Danbury, CT April 22 WORCESTER STATE L 8-9 3-9 Providence, RI April 24 at Bridgewater State L 2-22 3-10 Bridgewater, MA April 26 at Eastern Connecticut * L 5-17 3-11 Willimantic, CT April 29 at Keene State + L 5-17 3-12 Keene, NH

* Little East Conference game+ Little East Conference Tournament game

2008 Player StatisticsName GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points Ground Balls Draw ControlsSydney Culbertson 15/15 76 37 22 59 29 30Kerry McDevitt 15/15 70 23 13 36 43 22Emily Conte 15/15 53 21 1 22 36 38Suany Almonte 15/15 53 17 5 22 53 10Meridith Darby 13/13 32 14 4 18 28 14Sherri Heard 14/12 28 13 2 15 20 29Melissa Carney 15/7 20 6 0 6 17 4Marissa Kielbasinski 15/15 12 5 1 6 27 25Erin Duffy 15/15 11 1 0 1 30 2Jessica Shiel 13/10 1 0 1 1 8 2Katelyn Chouinard 13/08 7 0 0 0 4 5Kaitlin Geagan 15/14 3 0 0 0 40 3Sharon Corriveau 07/07 2 0 0 0 40 0Hilary Switzer 15/16 0 0 0 0 44 0Nichole Grimshaw 08/03 0 0 0 0 3 2Danielle Gelinas 01/01 0 0 0 0 0 0TOTALS 15/15 368 137 49 186 395 186OPPONENTS 15/15 498 244 111 355 455 225

2008 Goalkeeper StatisticsName GP/GS Minutes Saves GA Save % GAAHilary Switzer 15/15 912:41 135 244 .356 16.04TOTALS 15/15 912:41 135 244 .356 16.04OPPONENTS 15/15 912:41 140 137 .505 9.01

High School: Named team MVP, leading the squad in scoring, as a senior at Bellingham High School...2008 gradu-ate...served as team captain.

Personal: Born April 30, 1990...nurs-ing major.

Freshman Year (2008): Played in 15 games, starting all of them...had 17 goals and five assists for 22 points to go along with 53 shots, 53 ground balls, 10 draw controls and 11 caused turnovers.

High School: Earned First Team All-Division honors in both lacrosse and track while at Veterans High School...2006 grad-uate...received the Div. I Sportsmanship Award.

Personal: Born June 14, 1988...pre-med. major with a minor in Spanish...transfer from the Community College of Rhode Island.

Suany Almonte's Career Statistics Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 15/15 53 17 5 22 Career 15/15 53 17 5 22

Midfield, 4-11, SophomoreWarwick, RI/Veterans

Meet the Team

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#5 Suany Almonte #11 Molly CarbonDefense, 5-5, Freshman

Bellingham, MA/Bellingham

#14 Jenna ChildsMidfield/Defense, 5-4, Freshman

Cranston, RI/Cranston West 2008 Women's Soccer Season: Played in 17 games, starting 11 of them, as a defender.

High School: Earned All-Division and All-Tournament Team honors in soccer while at Cranston High School West...2008 graduate.

Personal: Born September 10, 1990...nursing major.

#1 Katelyn ChouinardDefense/Attack, 5-2, Sophomore

Warwick, RI/Veterans Freshman Year (2008): Played in 13 games, starting eight of them...had four ground balls, five draw controls and three caused turnovers.

High School: Earned All-Division and All-City honors while at Veterans High School...2007 graduate.

Personal: Born June 29, 1989...ele-mentary education major.

Katelyn Chouinard's Career Statistics Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2008 13/08 7 0 0 0 Career 13/08 7 0 0 0

Meet the Team

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Sophomore Year (2008): Played in 15 games, starting all 15 of them...had 21 goals and one assist for 22 points to go along with 53 shots, 36 ground balls, 38 draw controls, 10 caused turnovers and one game-winning goal.

Freshman Year (2007): Played in 14 games, starting all of them...had 14 goals and one assist for 15 points to go along with 35 shots, 23 ground balls, 14 draw controls and three caused turnovers.

High School: Earned Second Team All-Division honors while at North Providence High School...2006 graduate...also lettered in cross country.

Personal: Born September 18, 1988...elementary education major with a concentration in social studies...transfer from UMass Amherst.

Emily Conte's Career Statistics Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2007 14/14 35 14 1 15 2008 15/15 53 21 1 22 Career 29/29 88 35 2 37

#18 Emily ConteAttack, 5-6, Junior

North Providence, RI/North Providence

#8 Nicky DroletAttack, 5-5, Freshman

Somersworth, NH/Somersworth High School: Earned NHIAA ath-letic honors while at Somersworth High School...2008 graduate.

Personal: Born December 19, 1989...nursing major.

#3 Adrienne GerardAttack, 5-7, Freshman

Cranston, RI/Cranston West High School: Lettered in both lacrosse and tennis while at Cranston High School West...2007 graduate...Earned All-Division honors in doubles...served as lacrosse team captain as a senior.

Personal: Born May 1, 1989...photog-raphy/anthropology major...transfer from Parsons School of Design.

Emily Conte

Meet the Team

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Junior Year (2008): Played in 14 games, starting all of them...totaled 13 goals and two assists for 15 points to go along with 28 shots, 20 ground balls, 29 draw controls and seven caused turn-overs.

Sophomore Year (2007): Played in 12 games, starting nine of them...had two goals and three assists for five points to go along with 13 shots, 11 ground balls, two draw controls and one caused turnover.

High School: Earned All-State and All-Division honors while at Coventry High School...2004 graduate...two-time team MVP selection.

Personal: Born May 21, 1986...physical education/health major...also played four seasons of women's volleyball and basketball at RIC.

Sherri Heard's Career Statistics Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2007 12/09 13 2 3 5 2008 14/12 28 13 2 15 Career 26/21 41 15 5 20

#4 Sherri HeardDefense, 6-0, Senior

Coventry, RI/Coventry

#13 Kayla LapradeDefense/Goalkeeper, 5-8, Freshman

Seekonk, MA/Seekonk High School: Lettered in lacrosse while at Seekonk High School...2008 graduate.

Personal: Born October 5, 1989...nursing major.

#6 Allie MacamauxDefense, 5-8, Freshman

Hope, RI/Scituate High School: Lettered in lacrosse while at Scituate High School...2008 graduate...member of the 2008 Rhode Island State Championship team.

Personal: Born November 12, 1989...biology major.

#7 Chiara RazzinoAttack/Goalkeeper, 5-4, Freshman

Providence, RI/Classical High School: Lettered in field hockey, softball and lacrosse while at Classical High School...2007 graduate...earned First Team All-Division honors in lacrosse..received Classical's Three-sport Award twice.

Personal: Born August 22, 1989...psychology major.

Meet the Team

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#12 Jessica ShielDefense/Attack, 5-9, Senior

Warwick, RI/Pilgrim Junior Year (2008): Played in 13 games, starting 10 of them...had one assist for one point, to go along with one shot, eight ground balls, two draw controls and five caused turnovers.

Sophomore Year (2007): Played in 13 games, starting six of them...had one goal for one point to go along with two shots, 12 ground balls, three draw controls and two caused turnovers.

High School: Lettered in basketball and volleyball while at Pilgrim High School...2004 graduate...captain of the basketball team as a junior and senior...named Second Team All-Division and team MVP.

Personal: Born September 20, 1986...physical education/health major...played two seasons of basketball for the Anchorwomen.

Jessica Shiel's Career Statistics Year GP/GS Shots Goals Assists Points 2007 13/06 2 1 0 1 2008 13/10 1 0 1 1 Career 26/16 3 1 1 2

#10 Ashleigh SullivanMidfield, 5-4, Freshman

Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue High School: Earned All-Division honors while at Comsewogue High School...2008 graduate.

Personal: Born October 16, 1990...special education major.

Freshman Year (2008): Played in 15 games, starting all of them...was 3-12 with 135 saves, a 16.04 goals against aver-age and a .356 save percentage in 912:41 minutes of play.

High School: Lettered in lacrosse while at Woonsocket High School...2007 graduate.

Personal: Born November 22, 1989...physical education major.

Hilary Switzer's Career Statistics Year GP/GS MP SVS GA GAA SV% W-L 2008 15/15 912:41 135 244 16.04 .356 3-12 Career 15/15 912:41 135 244 16.04 .356 3-12

#16 Hilary SwitzerGoalkeeper, 5-4, SophomoreWoonsocket, RI/Woonsocket

#9 Molly VoyerAttack, 5-4, FreshmanLincoln, RI/Lincoln

High School: Earned First Team All-Division honors while at Lincoln High School...2007 graduate...earned All-Academic honors and served as team captain.

Personal: Born January 31, 1989...nursing major.