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Katherine Tuttle, who led team with four assists last season, is one of six |
With nearly its entire starting lineup intact, The College of Wooster women's soccer team will bring plenty of experience to the pitch as it looks to get back to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament, which it has qualified for in four of the last six seasons.
Last year, the Fighting Scots came up just shy of making their traditional run to the conference tourney, but they were just as competitive as usual, as they tied or defeated three of the four teams that made the tournament during the regular season.
"Last season we were competitive every time we stepped on the field regardless of the opposition," recalled head coach David "Geordie" Brown. "We really only had one letdown in conference play and that cost us a spot in the tournament. We will need to be at our best at all times, because games are so tight in the NCAC that one mistake, set-play, or moment of brilliance are the things that tend to win or lose games."
The Scots will look very similar on the offense end, with all but one of the goals they scored last season coming off the foot of a returning player. Leading the charge are seniors Crystal Chavez, Jessica Friesen, Sophia Garfinkel, Gabi Morrison, and Katherine Tuttle, whom have accounted for 26 goals and 10 assists between them in their careers.
Chavez is the most dangerous goal-scorer of the bunch with 10 career goals, despite missing nine games over the last three seasons due to injury. Seemingly healthy, she'll look to top the five-goal campaign she had as a sophomore, and could line up as an attacking midfielder or forward.
Friesen had a breakout year in 2013, ranking second on the team with 10 points (4 goals, 2 assists), after totaling just one assist during her two prior seasons. Garfinkel had her best numbers a year ago as well, with three goals and one helper, as did the strong-legged Tuttle, who scored twice and passed out a team-high four assists, with the latter coming primarily on deep crosses into the goal box. Morrison gained significant experience last season as a first-time starter and totaled a goal and an assist along the way.
In addition to the seniors, there is also plenty of young talent on the offensive side of ball. Most notably is two-sport star Lauren Hancher, who was voted all-NCAC in both soccer (second-team) and women's basketball (second-team) a year ago. Her aggressive style and ability to win the ball in the air has her pegged for a spot in the central midfield, where the junior can be a difference maker both offensively (6 goals, 2 assists in career) and defensively.
Others to keep an eye on will be sophomores Kennedy Payne and Kathleen Kalafatis, who stood out among Wooster's balanced offensive attack during their debut seasons. Payne, who broke the school record in the 60 meters for Wooster's indoor track and field team last spring, used her game-changing speed to tally a team-best 11 points (5 goals, 1 assist) as a first-year. Kalafatis was right there with Payne, scoring four times and adding an assist, and the duo is expected to factor in heavily on the attacking end yet again this fall.
Rounding out those slated to help out at the forward and midfield positions are junior Lily Mohre, who missed all of last season with a leg injury, but showed difference-making ability as a freshman (2 goals, 5 assists), and Isabel Abarca, who has appeared in 22 games over the last two seasons and has looked like an improved player during the spring season, according to the coaching staff.
"We think that our experience on the offensive side will be a huge factor for us," said Brown. "We had a lot of new faces and new roles for players last year, so our expectations will be much higher with that group this season. Our focus now is on showing different looks on offense, being more opportunistic, and capitalizing on our chances."
The defense appears to be in good hands as well, as three of the four starters in the backfield return, including all-conference pick (honorable mention) Rachael Davis, a junior who played primarily at the right back position and was also a key contributor on throw-ins. She will be joined by senior captain Kimberly Seidell, who started at center back, and junior Carly Joliat, a left back, as they look to recapture their strong play from a year ago when they allowed just 16 goals in 18 games.
Juniors Kelsey Clark and Brenna Coolbaugh, both which earned starting nods last season due to injury, will likely get the first crack at the vacated starting defender spot, although sophomores Haley Davis and Liz Kantra are also in the mix.
The Scots had success starting three different goalkeepers last season, including Elizabeth Clark early in the season and Carly Eppler over the final four games. Both sophomores were impressive, as Clark allowed just seven goals over seven starts, while Eppler conceded only three goals with an .870 save percentage during her strong stretch to close out the season.
"This group (defense) is the backbone of our teams and we expect that they will keep us in every game," added Brown.
With six newcomers dotting the roster as well, the Scots have the ingredients in place for an exciting season. The schedule kicks off with a weekend trip to Albright College in Reading, Pa. on Aug. 30-31, and then the Scots host their home opener on Sept. 3 against Bluffton University.