Ziobro Named VMI Athlete of the Week 

Co-Captain Anchored VMI Defense to School-Record Run

LEXINGTON, Va.- VMI women’s soccer senior co-captain Celine Ziobro has been named VMI Athlete of the Week, for the time period ending Oct. 8.

Ziobro (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) has anchored the VMI defense to a school-record start, despite losing two back- line starters to injury over the last two weeks. After posting program-best numbers last season, the Keydets have allowed just a .88 goals-against-average to improve on their 2007 effort.

In 2008, VMI has surrendered just ten total goals, with three of those coming at Patchin Field. Those defensive numbers were sparked by a 325-minute scoreless streak, which ran from the conclusion of the Sept. 21 game versus Boise State to the opening minutes of the second half against Charleston Southern this past Saturday.

Ziobro, a four-year defensive starter for the Keydets, will commission into the U.S. Air Force upon graduation and recently received a pilot training slot in the Air Force. VMI women’s soccer takes on Radford Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 8, at Patchin Field, and the Keydets hit the road Sunday for a matchup with Austin Peay. Game time in Clarksville, Tenn., is set for 3 p.m. Eastern time, 2 p.m. Central.

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From Coach Williams: I think those that have watched the women’s program over the years as we slowly evolve, can tell the difference in the technical ability of our players this year in comparison to just last year’s team. While we are not a big team again, we are significantly better. Losing two game in a row in overtime hurts, but we held the games to overtime and did not let them get away as we might have in the past.  I hope everyone understands how difficult it is to be consistently offensive and when you are playing as many as 5 Rats on the field at one time, it is very hard in just  three weeks to create chemistry on the field. We are getting closer, and where we will be in a month if I can keep everyone healthy will be light years ahead of where we are now.

VMI Women’s Soccer  has a base of players who can play the game. Last night against Longwood provided everyone who watched the match the opportunity to see a great effort by my players. If we could have gotten a little luck and plinked in the three “one on one’s” that we had with their keeper in the first fifteen minutes …the game would have been over right there. I am very proud of the way our women played last night. I know this season will once again stretch both Megan and Celine as it always has for four years. But the returning upperclassmen along with a talented group of freshmen might just give us a group that will surprise our conference and other D-I opposition in the remaining 17 regular season games.

Bryan

Coach Freakley's Spring Recap: 

The team just completed a great spring season with games against UMBC, NAVY, University of Richmond, William and Mary, James Madison University
and West Virginia University.  We achieved three results in the six games.  We scheduled all games on the road in order to simulate the
importance of being competitive on the road when it counts.  Keeping possession, team shape throughout all thirds of the field in attack and
defense, improving finishing chances, limiting defensive mistakes and complete understanding of individual, unit and collective roles were our
priorities from February- April.  The players have done a great job this spring in all of these areas and there is a great chemistry in this
group leading into the fall.

Big news to be on the lookout for is the signing of seven new players to the program.  These additions will be from Virginia, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Texas and North Carolina.  They bring with them Olympic Development Program experience, USSF Academy experience and add great
depth to a quality group of returners.

Be on the lookout for more information on the Jay Sculley Memorial Tournament to be help September 11-13 at VMI.  This tournament will
honor Coach Sculley and his wonderful contributions to VMI and the men's soccer program.   Liberty University, St. Frances University and Rider
University will all be in attendance.  We could really use some alumni support for this project for those of you that are interested in making
this part of the VMI Men's Soccer tradition.

The schedule will be released shortly on the www.vmikeydets.com website. We hope to see you at some games this fall.

Ben Freakley

Free Kicks with Coach Richie Rose

Family: My father (Ken) is a potash miner and has been for 30+ years. My mother (Jean) is a drug store manager and has worked full time for as long as I can remember. I have one sister (Wendy) who is a elementary teacher, she is married to Graham and they have a 13 month old daughter Hannah.

Interests: Sorry, it is soccer and coaching. Being a life-long learner.

Hobbies: Mountain biking, kayaking, walking my dogs, spending time with the missus (girlfriend).

Talents: ? Who knows, I think this is something other people recognize in you. I cannot even think of any!

Favorite music: Ska, reggae, new age punk.

Other sports: No other sport played as a child, but I do love to watch live ice hockey.

Last book I read: The Words Abraham Lincoln Lived by.

Unusual thing: I am a semi skilled sheet metal welder and fabricator as well as a forklift driver.

Biggest change for VMI: Shaving everyday!