October 25, 2003

Greetings to SUNY Potsdam’s Women’s Soccer Alumni. We hope this letter finds you all happy and healthy. My name is Lauren Bruce and I am entering my first year as Head Coach of the program. I was previously at Hamilton College where I lead my lacrosse team to two straight appearances in the NCAA’s Elite Eight game, for the first time in the school’s history. During my three years there, the lacrosse team’s reputation went from one end of the spectrum to the other. My intentions as head coach here, are to do the same for these girls, to turn this program into a competitive one.

Last year, we finished with a 4 – 14 record, never coming up with the wins we deserved. So far this year, we have competed in our conference, challenging teams more than we have in the past. With three conference games to go, our record stands at 6-9, showing much improvement from the year before. Erin Blandin and Jodi Ziemba lead the team this year in goals and assists. Senior Captain, Blandin, ranks in the top ten of the SUNYAC for most points this year, with 11 goals and 2 assists. Ziemba has also come up big for us this year, putting in the game winning goal against home town rival Clarkson University, with 34 seconds left in double over time. She has put in 9 goals and 4 assists for us so far this year, and we are excited to see what she has in store for us next year.

SUNY Potsdam Women’s Soccer is enthusiastic about the future and we would like you all to be a part of it. There are several ways to become involved. First, we are looking to improve on our fan support. We do not always receive the amount of community and student support we would like. We would love to have you attend any home or away games. You can find our schedule on the web at www.potsdam.edu/sports/w_soccer/w_soccer.html. It would be a great opportunity to see some of your faces again and to meet others for the first time, and hear your memories as a Potsdam soccer player. Another way to support the program is through a personal monetary contribution. This allows us to better our program through field maintenance, travel, and equipment. I feel that to continue to build our program, we must continually advance.

I am asking that you join me in giving to SUNY Potsdam Women’s Soccer. Unfortunately, the budget does not have sufficient funds to allow for all the opportunities we would like to provide for our athletes. We are busy organizing fundraisers in order to enhance the program above and beyond that of the budget. I ask you to please consider a gift to Potsdam’s Women Soccer, to make it possible for this year’s members as well as those in the future to share in the same opportunities as you once had. Enclosed is a pledge card and return envelope for your consideration. Please make your check out to Potsdam College Foundation, with your memo to Women’s Soccer. Feel free to contact me with any questions, at 315-267-2322 or brucele@potsdam.edu.

My hope is that all of you have fond memories of your playing days here at Potsdam. I want to provide a positive experience for all the athletes that go through our program. I would like to thank you all for your dedication and commitment to the program. I wish you all a wonderful future. Thank you again.
Sincerely,

Lauren Bruce
SUNY Potsdam
Women’s Soccer and Lacrosse Coach