The New Jersey Storm yesterday named goaltender Ginny Capicchioni to its 23-player roster, making the Sacred Heart University product the first woman in league history to gain a regular-season roster spot.

"This is what I was working towards," Capicchioni said. "I don't think I'll be called on [for the opener] -- there are players with a lot of experience ahead of me -- but I'll be ready."

Capicchioni begins the season as the Storm's third-string goaltender, meaning that while she will practice with the team, she likely won't appear in uniform any time soon.

"She will not be dressing for the game unless one of our goaltenders has a serious injury before then," Storm general manager and head coach Jim Brady said of dressing Capicchioni for the season opener on 28 December.

Matt Roik and Derek General are the Storm's top two goaltenders, but Roik has sat out the preseason to nurse a minor knee injury, allowing Capicchioni and other goaltending candidates to see extra attention in traning camp and scrimmages.

"I had four guys trying out who weren't as good as her," Brady said. "She earned the spot."

Capicchioni's performance in the scrimmages suggests otherwise, though. In two preseason games, she made nineteen saves on 34 shots, and has been described by observers as slow and poorly-positioned.

At a scant five feet, four inches tall and 135 pounds, Capicchioni also must overcome her inability to fill the net as well as her male counterparts, most of whom are at least a half-foot taller.

Still, Brady sees potential in his new netminder.

"Her chances of getting into a game will depend on how much she improves during the year," he said. "We see potential in her. She's local, and she works very hard. She's shown flashes of brilliance in games."

Capicchioni is the second woman to try out for an NLL team, following Washington Power draft pick Jen Adams one year ago. However, Adams' appearance was more about publicity for the Power than trying to make the team. Capicchioni, on the other hand, tried out with at least two other teams this fall before sticking with New Jersey.