When Head Coach Shelly Dearden started practice with the Lady Vikings this summer, she wasn't sure she would have enough talented players to field a competitive team.  But it became very clear very quickly that not only did she have talent, she had powerful team chemistry.

That winning combination landed the Vikings in St. Louis, MO, for the NJCAA National Championship on November 15.  While the women suffered a disappointing loss to Dixie State College (UT), 10-1, they came back to win a consolation game against Catonsville Community College (MD), 2-1.  The Vikings were honored with the prestigious Lea Plarski Sportsmanship Award.

Entering the Region 19 Tournament as the no. 1 seed, the women won the Region 19 championship for the first time since 1988, defeating Brookdale Community College 2-1 on November 3.  In the semi-final round, they beat Gloucester 3-0. The team outscored regional opponents  45 to 4.  Their 15-3-1 record is one of the best in Mercer women's soccer history.  Coach Dearden, in her sixth year with the Vikings, won her first Region 19 Coach of the Year Award.

All but one of the 14-member squad hailed from local high schools.  Two sisters, goalie Syedah Fitchett and midfielder Ayesha Fitchett, played lead roles. Ayesha Fitchett scored a team high of 28 goals, while forward Melanie Pollack scored 21.  They were ably assisted by forwards Michelle Smayda and Lisa Zoratti, and midfielders Christine Willie, Nikki Carr, Lauren Chiacchio and Dina Palmieri.  Anchoring a strong defense were Anna Mastrangli, Jazmin Fuschini and Michelle MacInnes.  Goalie Kimberly Vita joined the team late in the season when Syedah was sidelined with an injury and posted several key wins for the Vikings.

Top scorers Fitchett and Pollack both earned All-Region 19 and All-Garden State Athletic Conference first team honors.  Dina Palmieri joined them on the All-Region first team, and defender Christine Willie joined them on the All-Conference first team.  Willie was named to the All-Tournament Team at the nationals.  Assistant coaches were Cindy Astore and Krissy Bucchino.

(This story appears in the Winter 2002 issue of The Viking, a publication for students, alumni and other friends of Mercer County Community College.  If you would like a copy, please email or call (609) 586-4800 ext. 3736.)