Impact coach Rich Stoneman named Longwood Women's Assistant

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University 20th-year women's soccer head coach Todd Dyer has announced the appointment of Rich Stoneman as his new assistant coach.  This summer, Stoneman coached the Fredericksburg Impact of the W-League, Women’s Pro-Am Soccer, to a fourth-place finish in the Northeastern Conference; the team included former Lancers’ standout Lindsey Ottavio.  He served as an assistant coach at Pfeiffer University during 2012, while also working as the college coordinator at the Charlotte (N.C.) Soccer Academy (CSA).  Stoneman has previous Division I coaching experience at Big South Conference member Coastal Carolina University (2010-11, women’s assistant, volunteer men’s assistant), East Carolina University (2007-09, women’s assistant), Louisiana Tech University (2004-06, women’s assistant) and Baylor University (2001-02, volunteer women’s assistant).
   
“We’re very excited and fortunate to have Rich Stoneman joining our staff this fall,” said Dyer.  “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program and our players will benefit greatly as a result of these qualities.  He has an extensive goalkeeping background, but he’s motivated and qualified to do so much more, especially on the recruiting side of things.  His energy and personality is contagious and he will have an immediate and significant impact on our soccer program, athletic department and university.”
    

Impact close out W-League season with a draw

Fredericksburg closes season with tie against playoff-bound Washington

By Tom Leiss

For Fredericksburg Impact: www.fasaimpact.com

Impact vs Spirit W-League (photo credit: Tom Leiss)

BOYDS, Md.—The Fredericksburg Impact closed out its third W-League season with a gutsy 1-1 tie against the Washington Spirit Reserves at the Maryland SportsPlex on Wednesday evening.

Things got off to a slow start for the Impact and Washington was able to take an early lead in the ninth minute. After working the ball into the left corner, Hayley Siegel sent a cross to the right to Ashley Herndon. The forward settled the ball and tucked a shot into the left side of the net for a 1-0 Spirit lead.

After the score, Washington continued to control the play and create chances, but Fredericksburg’s defense and goalie Jesse McGinley—who made a key save on a 24th minute free kick—were able to keep its hosts from doubling their lead.

As the half wore on, the Impact coaching staff began making adjustments that started to help them get more into the game.

“Washington, credit to them. They’ve got some really athletic kids, but we’ve got some really good soccer players and athletic kids ourselves and we just had to make the adjustments,” Fredericksburg coach Rich Stoneman said. “We couldn’t allow them to continue dictating our play. When we took that back from them and started to play our game, things started to go our way.”

Impact vs Spirit W-League (photo credit: Tom Leiss)

The changes paid dividends in the 31st minute when Caty Butler played a pass to Kara Blosser. The midfielder got by one defender and then launched a 30-plus yard rocket that beat Spirit goalie DiDi Haracic to level the match, 1-1.

It was just what the Impact needed as they began to settle into the game.

“We were definitely on our heels from the start of the game,” co-captain Kimmy Cummings said. “There was some kind of momentum shift that had to happen and that was it. They definitely had the ball a lot and we were defending a lot, but some soccer games go that way and it’s just how you react to it. And I think we reacted very well.”

Impact Travel to N.Y. for Weekend Roadtrip

FREDERICKSBURG LOOKING TO NOTCH FIRST WINS WHILE IN NEW YORK

Compiled by Tom Leiss & Quentin Reed

For Fredericksburg Impact: www.fasaimpact.com

The Fredericksburg Impact will complete a three-game road trip to start its W-League season this weekend when they travel to New York to take on the Long Island Rough Riders on Saturday and the New York Magic on Sunday.

photo: Courtesy of Kari Blosser

Fredericksburg opened the season last Saturday in Virginia Beach, falling 2-1 to the Piranhas. Kara Blosser got on the end of a corner kick by Kimmy Cummings early in the contest, before the hosts rallied for the win. Blosser, a central midfielder, was name to the W-League Team of the Week for her efforts.

The Impact started a young team in the match, with high school junior Halle Parker playing the entire game at sweeper against Virginia Beach’s high octane offense. Fellow high school teammate Sydney Wallace, a sophomore, also saw action late in the match as Fredericksburg searched for a game-tying score.

Fredericksburg created many chances throughout the game, but were unable to put them away, which is something coach Rich Stoneman said the team will need to improve on going forward.

“I think our conference in the W-League is probably the hardest, and our girls got a taste what they did, can and will be able to do moving forward,” he said. “I think they are hungry to be able to travel this weekend and put together a full 90 minutes [in both games].”

Impact open season with loss to Piranhas

Impact vs Piranhas, May 11

By Tom Leiss

For Fredericksburg Impact: www.fasaimpact.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—Things got off to a great start for the visiting Fredericksburg Impact in Saturday night’s season opener against the Virginia Beach Piranhas at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. Unfortunately, the hosts were able to rally and then hang on late for a 2-1 W-League victory.

Fredericksburg (0-1-0) earned a corner kick shortly after kickoff and Kara Blosser leapt high and strongly headed home Kimmy Cummings’ cross to put the Impact up 1-0 under five minutes into the game.

W-League divisional alignment released, Impact and Piranhas in Northeast Division

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League released its divisional alignment and schedule for 2013 today, with the action slated to kick off for the 145-game regular season on Saturday, May 11.  The Bay Area Breeze join the 25-team league in 2013, further strengthening the highly competitive Western Conference. 

“The 2013 W-League season will produce a tremendous amount of excitement for players and fans alike,” said Amanda Duffy, senior director of the W-League.  “Top collegiate, amateur and professional players will compete in the W-League while aspiring to reach the top level of women’s soccer in North America. The competition will continue to be enhanced by additional regional rivalries as the fight for post-season spots intensifies.”

The W-League remains divided into three geographic conferences – Eastern, Central and Western – with the Eastern Conference featuring two divisions, the seven-team Northeast and the five-team Southeast.  The Central Conference features six teams, while the Western Conference has seven. W-League clubs will play 10- or 12-game schedules in 2013, with teams facing each opponent in their division home and away. Teams in the Central Conference and Southeast Division will play additional games vs. geographic rivals to complete their schedules.

Five W-League teams have undergone name changes for 2013, including the Carolina Elite Cobras (formerly Central SC Cobras), K-W United FC (Hamilton FC Rage), New York Magic – F.A. Euro (New York Magic), VSI Tampa Bay FC (VSI Tampa Flames) and the Washington Spirit Reserves (D.C. United Women).

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

Fredericksburg Impact

Long Island Rough Riders

New Jersey Wildcats

New York Magic – F.A. Euro

North Jersey Valkyries

Virginia Beach Piranhas

Washington Spirit Reserves

Preview: D.C. United Women at Fredericks​burg Impact

Fredericksburg, VA. - This Saturday D.C. United Women travel to Fredericksburg, VA to face the Impact in W-League action. United feature Forward Mikaela Howell who was named to the Team of the Week after notching three assists in her last match.

See game information below: