Stephanie Ricketts joined Adrian in 2007 and was an integral part in the development of a squad that has cemented itself as one of the top teams in the MIAA and Central Region.  She served as the interim head coach during the program’s leadership transition in 2008, and was responsible for the recruitment of the incoming class of 2008… a class which includes All-MIAA goalkeeper Stevie Burns, and All-MIAA defender Kellie Irwin who was voted team MVP in 2009.

Coach Stephanie Ricketts will join Westminster College as an Assistant Coach in 2010

Stephanie will be leaving Adrian to accept a Graduate Assistant Coach position at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.  While at Westminster, she will have the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree while working with Head Coach Girish Thakar, an eight year veteran with a career winning percentage of over .700, five PAC championships, and four NCAA DIII Tournament appearances.

“Steph has worked tirelessly over the past three years to help transform Adrian’s program into what we are today,” remarked Adrian Coach Ali Alamdari.  “She poured every once of energy that she had into this team, and her impact can be seen in the quality of the student-athletes that we have in this program.  One of her career goals is to be a head coach in the next few years, and having the opportunity to have grad school taken care of while coaching in another top DIII program was a great fit.  It’s a bittersweet moment for certain, but we couldn’t be more proud and grateful for Steph and can’t wait to watch the next step in her career.”

Lindsay Chitwood completed a stellar playing career for the Bulldogs in 2009, being named Adrian College Senior Female Athlete of the Year, and she graduated in 2010 with degrees in Business Administration and English.  She is the leading scorer in school history, a four time All-MIAA selection, and will work directly with the team’s attacking players as Adrian looks to reload after a historic run in 2009.

Coach Lindsay Chitwood will move from the field to the sideline at Adrian College this fall

Lindsay was offered the position after a nationwide search in May and June.  Dozens of qualified candidates applied, but ultimately after conducting a series of phone and on-campus interviews, the choice was clear.

“Coach Chitwood wowed the hiring committee with her understanding of the game and passion for the position,” said Alamdari.  “She has a great grasp on our grassroots recruiting efforts, and we know that the leadership that she provided on the field will easily translate to leadership on the sideline.  For incoming players, they’ll have the ability to work hand in hand with a player who knows exactly what it takes to be successful at this level.”  Along with her Assistant Coach duties, Chitwood will serve as the program’s Recruiting and Fundraising Coordinator and Head Coach for reserve matches.

Members of the Bulldog Soccer family, please leave a comment below for Coach Ricketts and Coach Chitwood as they begin the next stages in their soccer careers!

“2010 will be an interesting year for us,” remarked Head Coach Ali Alamdari who returns for his 3rd season at AC.  “We lost an amazing senior class, but our returners looked sharp and focused this spring, and our recruiting class is shaping up to be something very special.  The schedule will test us early on, but we’re hoping that it sets us up for success in the MIAA like it did last year.”  The Bulldogs started the 2009 season with four straight road games, winning only one.  After that, the lights turned on and the squad went undefeated in their next seven matches en route to an MIAA Runner-Up finish.

Senior Captain Tessa Kellar will help lead the Bulldogs in 2010

Adrian opens up 2010 against DIII power Denison University.  The Big Red were nationally ranked for much of 2009, making it to the second round of the NCAA tournament after an undefeated regular season in NCAC league play.  The Bulldogs will then travel to the Marietta Classic in southern Ohio before hosting the 2nd Annual Briton-Bulldog Classic on the weekend of September 11th and 12th.  Aquinas College will look to start a new intrastate rivalry with their match on September 15th, and the non-conference schedule will wrap up with a weekend trip to the Chicagoland area against Calumet and Elmhurst.  Elmhurst College will be looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat to the Bulldogs in 2009.

One new highlight in 2010 will be a Men’s/Women’s doubleheader on Wednesday, October 20th.  Not only will it be Senior Night for the Women’s team as they face USCAA National Champion Marygrove College, both Adrian squads will team up with Nike to promote the Join(RED) campaign to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

2010 Adrian College Women’s Soccer Varsity Schedule

Wed 9/1 – 4pm @ Denison
Sat 9/4 – 2pm vs. Mt. St. Joseph (@ Marietta, OH Classic)
Sun 9/5 – TBA vs. Marietta or Rivier (@Marietta, OH Classic)
Wed 9/8 – 7pm @ Heidelberg
Sat 9/11 – Noon vs. Siena Heights (Briton-Bulldog Classic)
Sun 9/12 – 4pm vs. Schoolcraft (Briton-Bulldog Classic)
Wed 9/15 – 4pm vs. Aquinas
Fri 9/17 – 3pm @ Calumet
Sun 9/19 – 2pm @ Elmhurst
Wed 9/22 – 4pm @ Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Indiana)
Sat 9/25 – Alumni Match
Wed 9/29 – 4pm vs. Hope
Sat 10/2 – 11am vs. Trine (Homecoming, Soccer Golf Outing)
Tues 10/5 – 3pm vs. Albion
Sat 10/9 – Noon @ Calvin
Wed 10/13 – 4pm @ Alma
Sat 10/16 – Noon vs. Olivet
Wed 10/20 – 7pm vs. Marygrove (Join(RED) Senior Night)
Sat 10/23 – Noon @ St. Mary’s
Wed 10/27 – 4pm @ Kalamazoo
Sat 10/30 – TBA (MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals)
Tues 11/2 – TBA (MIAA Tournament Semifinals)
Sat 11/6 – TBA (MIAA Tournament Finals)