slides: 10 Central Mass College Athletes to Watch this Fall

Monday, August 20, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

While most students are still enjoying their summer vacations, athletes at Central Mass colleges are back on campus working to succeed this fall season. Click through our slideshow below to see which athletes you need to watch in the fall of 2012.

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Maggie McGoldrick

Holy Cross Soccer

The senior defender captained the Crusaders a year ago and anchored a defense that surrendered fewer than 1.5 goals per game. As a junior, McGoldrick was also named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, and was recently selected to the Patriot League's pre-season all-conference team.

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Gerald Mistretta

Holy Cross Football

Another Holy Cross senior that hopes to do big things is wide receiver Gerald Mistretta. After leading Holy Cross with 60 catches for 723 and six touchdowns, Mistretta returns as a captain to help the Crusaders transition to a new quarterback and contend for a Patriot League title in 2012.

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Alex Wolfel

Worcester State Soccer

As just a sophomore in 2011, Wolfel led the Lancers in goals with nine and points with 21. For his efforts, Wolfel was named first team All-MASCAC after the Lancers finished the year 8-9-2. Big things will be expected of the Unionville, CT native as he enters his third year in the program.

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Lindsey McGeary

Worcester State Field Hockey

As a sophomore, the talented midfielder scored 10 goals and accumulated 20 points for the Lancers. Now a junior, McGeary hopes to help Worcester State advance deep into the Little East tournament after a quarterfinal exit against UMass-Dartmouth in 2011.

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Nick Haag

Assumption Football

Assumption endured a disappointing season on the gridiron in 2011, but defensive end Nick Haag made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. As a junior, Haag earned first team All-Northeast-10 honors, along with first team All-Worcester Area recognition. Haag led the Greyhounds with 7.5 sacks, good for second in the conference, and will look to improve on that during his senior campaign.

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Rachel Edgin

Assumption Soccer

Edgin starred in net for the Greyhounds as a freshman last season, starting 15 games, and appearing in all 17 of Assumption's contests. Though the Greyhounds struggled last season, Edgin still boasted an impressive .807 save percentage, with only 1.5 goals surrendered a game. Edgin also pitched two shutouts for the Greyhounds in 2011, and hopes will be high for her in 2012.

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Santino Simone

Anna Maria Football

Anna Maria won its first two games ever last season, and Simone was a dual threat for the up-and-coming offense. Throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns was impressive, but Simone also added 513 yards and 11 scores on the ground. In 2012, teams know they will have to worry about Simone's legs as much as his arm.

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Sandy Acosta

Anna Maria Volleyball

Anna Maria's volleyball team struggled last season, but then-junior Sandy Acosta was a bright spot. The versatile Acosta came in second on the team in hitting percentage at .108 and service aces per set with .41. Acosta thrived near the net, leading Anna Maria with 1.81 kills and .8 blocks per set.

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Hussein Yatim

WPI Football

Yatim led the Engineers in tackles with 60 a season ago, and is the emotional leader of WPI's 3-4 defense. A speedy and instinctive linebacker, Yatim will lead an experienced front seven for WPI. which would appear to be the strength of an already accomplished defense. If WPI is to turn things around after a two win season, Yatim and the defensive front will be a huge part of it.

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Caroline Plunkett

Becker Soccer

As a junior in 2011, Plunkett led the Hawks in every significant offensive category. She paced Becker in goals with 15, points with 30 and shots with 84. Now a senior, Plunkett was named a pre-season All-NECC selection, and would appear to be the leader of a Hawk team looking to improve upon a 10-9-2 record that included an impressive 6-3 finish in the NECC.