Could this be the year for the Brandeis women’s soccer team?

After a successful 2009 in which the squad went 10-6-5 overall (3-3-1 in conference play) and earned its third consecutive berth in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Finals, there is optimism that 2010 will be even brighter.

“[We] are going to be awesome this year,” head coach Denise Dallamora wrote in an e-mail to The Hoot.

Despite the departure of All-Americans Melissa Gorenkoff ’10 and Hilary Rosenzweig ’10, Dallamora believes that the “very strong” firs-year class will help the returning veterans achieve a new level of success–and perhaps a trip to the NCAA tournament.

“Doing well in our conference and in our regional competition [will help us qualify],” explained the 31-year head coach.

Senior forwards Sofia Vallone and Tiffany Pacheco are expected to direct the offensive attack for the Judges. Last season, Pacheco led the University Athletic Association in shots taken while potting nine goals and six assists. Vallone scored six times and added three helpers for Brandeis.

The defensive line will be anchored by Taryn Martiniello ’11, Ali Maresca ’12 and Fran Shin ’12, “solid players and great leaders,” wrote Dallamora.

Francine Kofinas ’13 as well as newcomers Katie Weil and Leah Sax will be looking to justly replace Rosenzweig with great play between the pipes.

The Judges play the first game of the 2010 season at MIT (12-6-2 in 2009) Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. Brandeis has defeated MIT in the season opener in each of the last three years.