BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport women's soccer team will start a new chapter in their storied history behind a new leader, head coach Mike Idland, in 2016.
 
The Golden Eagles finished the 2015 campaign with a 7-6-4 mark, and a 3-3-3 record in league play. The Green and Gold earned a spot in the State University of New York Athletic Conference post season, advancing to the quarterfinal round.
 
This season, the Golden Eagles will be under the direction of Head Coach Idland, who joined the Brockport Athletics staff earlier this year. Idland brings a wealth of experience, with an impressive resume that spans several different levels of soccer. Idland hopes to have an immediate impact in the success of the Golden Eagles.
 
"I honestly feel like I've been at Brockport for years at this point," said Idland.  "Arriving in mid-February, I was able to spend essentially the entire spring semester with the players, both in office meetings and on the soccer field during our non-traditional practices and competition."
 
While change can be a challenge, the Golden Eagle squad is taking it in stride, and already has their sights set on reaching new goals in 2016.
 
"I feel like I've gotten to know them fairly well, and they're a really fun, funny, competitive group," Idland noted. "I think we're going to be able to take some clear steps forward together this season."
 
The Golden Eagles return a wealth of experience to the pitch, with an impressive 13 seniors, four juniors and six sophomores.
 
The senior leadership will include Daniele Ogrodowski, Chelsea Stahl, Sabrina DeBellis, Kaitlyn Niedermeier, Casey Pollock, Ashley Makowski, Elizabeth Wilson, Stephanie Drago, Katie Scott, Vanessa Baldwin, Christina Leonardo, Emily Boehm and Chelsea Bowers.
 
Stahl, a SUNYAC Second-Team All Conference pick, started every contest for the Green and Gold a year ago, and led the team in goals and points with six and 14 respectively.
 
Other key returners out of the senior class for the Golden Eagles will be captains Leonardo and E. Wilson, who each netted two goals in 2015, while Leonardo dished out four assists.
 
On the defensive end, Brockport's senior class features four dedicated defenders, in Scott, Boehm, and Bowers who all saw significant action last season.
 
With such a strong returning class, Coach Idland hopes to see players continue to make an impact.
 
"I think we can expect to see some of the key-returners playing in slightly different roles this season, which may freshen things up a bit for us.  Drago, Niedermeier, Stahl, and DeBellis are likely to fit into that category."
 
A strong junior class also returns, comprised of Catherine Eliasson, Stephanie Szakos, Makenzie Felicia, and Lauren Moore. Eliasson, who earned the role of net minder for the Golden Eagles last season, will likely continue to be a key contributor for the Green and Gold.
 
"One of the only players I haven't had a chance to work with yet is Cathy Eliasson, who was doing a study abroad program, training, and playing in Spain during the spring semester," said Idland. "I am looking forward to the improvements she's made to her already-impressive game."
 
Sophomores Olivia Kuter, Carly Bulich, Kelsey Sammon, Jess Wilson, Briana Sciacca and Karleigh Stefanidis all return to the roster for Brockport, and will hope to play a role in the 2016 season.
 
In addition to the wealth of returners, the Golden Eagles will also welcome eight newcomers to the pitch in Ashley Kabza, Maddie Siclare, Kelsey Schmitt, Molly Zientek, Mara Zimmerman, Serena Sauerwald, Kristen Jacob and Kimberly Lubanski.
 
Coach Idland and the Golden Eagles will look to put the pieces together, and showcase their hard work in the season opener, in Erie, Pa. when they take on Baldwin Wallace University on Sept. 3 at 2:30 p.m. Brockport opens their home season on Sept. 23 when they host Fredonia at 3 p.m.
 
Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.