Ricker transfers to Providence

After just one season at the University of Maryland, former Nashoba Regional High soccer star Kylie Ricker (inset) has transferred to Providence College.

Ricker appeared in 12 games as a freshman last fall, including three as a starter, scoring one goal for the Terrapins. She said that while her overall experience at Maryland was positive, "it was just the wrong setting for me as a player. It was my dream to play at Maryland and the decision to leave was heartbreaking, but I'm looking forward to a new start."

She has dealt with diabetes since she was 9. "It's never been an issue and it's always been under control, but I felt it would be easier to manage playing at Providence," Ricker said.

In her senior season at Nashoba, Ricker netted 30 goals and was honored as a NSCAA/Adidas All-American and the Mid-Wachusett League's MVP. She set school career scoring records with 93 goals and 25 assists, and connected for the only goal in the 2004 Division 1 state final against Marshfield High. She also ran track at the Bolton school for her father, Ley, who retired as coach a year ago.

Before her senior year of high school, Ricker attended a soccer camp at Maryland, where her scoring touch during demonstration drills impressed the university's coaches. Ricker also had the opportunity to meet Providence women's soccer head coach Jim McGirr, who was also on the camp staff.

The 5-foot-8 forward, who was also recruited by Rutgers, Dartmouth, and Providence, accepted a partial scholarship to Maryland, a Division 1 program in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

When it came time to make a decision about her future last Christmas, she spoke with Peter Bradley, her coach in the summer with the Renegades of the Eastern Mass. Women's Soccer League.

"Peter and I agreed that Providence would be a great fit and Coach McGirr has been very understanding," said Ricker, who reports to Providence's preseason camp Aug. 11.

"I'm both excited and nervous about getting back into the college game. I just want to contribute, because soccer was such a big part of my high school experience. I never felt I had a lack of talent last fall. I started out strong. It just got a little overwhelming adjusting health-wise. Now my new dream is to play for Providence College."

Bradley, director of coaching for Mass. Premier Soccer, is confident Ricker will be back in top form, after recovering from back problems early this summer. "She's a very talented and creative player who scored a load of goals at the youth and high school level and she can strike a ball from distance with both feet," he said.

"Once she gets herself fully fit again, I think she will bang in the goals for Providence."

McGirr said that Ricker will not lose a year of eligibility, since she transferred to a school in a different conference, the Big East.

"Kylie has been a high-level athlete all her life and still is, but it was a tough transition for her at Maryland," the Providence coach said. "The Maryland staff has been very helpful to me in assessing her health needs and we will help her grow in our program. I know that she's learned from her experience last year, and to have a player like Kylie in our program will benefit us and I hope it will benefit her."

Westborough High alum Allie Ryan and Algonquin Regional High graduates Mallory Mason and Lauren Vulcano are returning to the Union College women's field hockey team that finished 12-6 last fall and advanced to the Liberty League tournament semifinals.

Ryan was a key back for the Dutchwomen in her sophomore season, starting in all of her team's games and earning Liberty League second-team honors. At Westborough High, she was a member of the National Honor Society, a Central Massachusetts All-Star and a Central Massachusetts Best of 60 Team member.

Mason, a forward who is also entering her junior year, was second on the team with 24 points and third with eight goals, including two game-winners. She was also named to the Liberty League All-Academic team. Mason, who lives in Southborough, was a Central Massachusetts All-Star and a National All-Academic selection at Algonquin.

Vulcano, who played in six games as a freshman midfielder last season at the Schenectady, N.Y., school, was honored as Algonquin's team MVP in 2006. She earned the Coaches Award the previous season. The Northborough resident also played lacrosse at Algonquin and last season for Union, which set a program record for victories (15-4) and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division 3 tournament.

"Allie has been one of our strongest defenders since she came here and is a consistent player who transitions smoothly out of the backfield," said Union's head field hockey coach, Lacey French. "Mallory is coming back as a second-year captain and has grown into that leadership role, and Lauren has great footwork and potential and we look forward to her development."

Marvin Pave can be reached at 508-820-4223 or marvin.pave@rcn.com.