Bartell

EDINBORO — The 2010 season looks to be a special one for the Edinboro University women's soccer team — and three Butler County players are right in the middle of it.

The Fighting Scots are 8-3-1 overall, are in the thick of the PSAC playoff race with a 5-3-1 conference record and are ranked sixth in the Atlantic Region.

Seneca Valley High graduates Karisa Fernandez and Catherine Messmer, and Knoch graduate Amanda Bartell — all sophomores — have played key roles.

Fernandez, a forward, currently leads the team with six goals and 15 points.

She was named PSAC Women's Soccer Player of the Week in September after tallying four goals and one assist in wins over Indiana (Pa.) and Urbana (Ohio).

As a freshman, Fernandez started all 19 matches and finished second on the team in scoring with seven goals and two assists.

"She exceeded expectations last year," said veteran coach Gary Kagiavas. "But the PSAC is a very physical league and she was a bit beat up by the end of the season. It was a learning experience for her."Fernandez spent much of the offseason in the weight room, and it has paid off."I knew I had to get physically stronger," said Fernandez. "I'm now much stronger on the ball."I wasn't expecting to put up the numbers I have in two years," she added. "I was just hoping to help the team."Messmer, who was a teammate of Fernandez on Seneca Valley's WPIAL title team in 2007, saw action in 18 matches last season despite a painful hip injury."I actually injured it the first time as a junior in high school," said Messmer, a midfielder. "It was pretty painful playing last year, but the experience I got helped a lot."Messmer had surgery in May and has started 11 of 12 matches this fall."Catherine is a very strong and physical kid," said Kagiavas. "She wins the 50-50 balls for us and wins a lot of tackles."Bartell just might be Edinboro's X-factor.

The Saxonburg native, who has recorded three goals and three assists, including the game-winning tally in a 1-0 win over Millersville Saturday, is listed as a midfielder on the roster."But she's an all-around player," said Kagiavas. "She's so versatile — an absolute stud.""Forward, midfield, defense — I play pretty much everywhere," said Bartell, who has started every match in 2010. "I like to contribute, no matter what, and I'm glad I can play so many positions."A PSAC playoff spot would be the program's first in three seasons, but the road won't be easy.Edinboro hosts nationally ranked Kutztown (No. 23) Saturday, then faces No. 4 California (Pa.) Tuesday."We know we've got a legitimate chance for the playoffs," said Fernandez. "We're going to keep working together."

Fernandez

Messmer