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2006 Soccer Season Outlook

 

August 25, 2006

 

LA GRANDE, Ore. - Head Soccer Coach Colleen Fagan enters the 2006 season with a strong core of returning players and a number of talented newcomers. Fagan believe the athleticism and new attitudes from her players should make the team successful this season.

 

"The returning players were very anxious to get back to campus and start the season," Fagan said. "There is finally some optimism early in the season after the initial disappointment upon hearing that some upperclassman would not return due to injuries and personal reasons."

 

After a 5-10-2 season (5-5-1 Cascade Conference) it is safe to say that the Mountaineer soccer team has something to prove this year. "The goal is clear from the returning players and that is to make the playoffs. They have come in this fall in better shape and with a stronger mindset to achieve this goal."

 

With six true freshmen, Fagan believes making the transition to the speed of the college game is secondary for the newcomers. "Even more difficult than the speed of the game is the physical nature of the game. Hopefully the freshman have been conditioning throughout the summer. Those that can make the mental adjustment to the change in the game will be most successful."

 

Although the Mountaineers return eight players that saw significant playing time last year, the team needs to recover from two major injuries that occurred during the 2005 season. "We lost starters Rachel Cordery to a torn ACL and Meave Johnson, our goalie, to an ankle injury. Other than those two major injuries we are just suffering from the usual aches and strains associated with daily doubles.

 

Fagan spent the off-season recruiting and developing a new system of play for her team. "This year we are going to play with fewer substitutions which will best suit our team of bigger, faster, and more skilled players."

 

The Mountaineers start the season off with a bang facing two very competitive local community college teams.

 

"Walla Walla Community College is one of the best teams in their league and Treasure Valley Community College is tough," Fagan commented. "Both of the scrimmages give us an opportunity to see different combinations of players on the field and to find the best team chemistry. They also give us an opportunity to try and recruit players from two strong community college programs."

 

Here is a position breakdown for the Mountaineers:

 

FORWARD

 

Kristen "Tiger" Rice is still the go-to player on offense. She has been the leading goal scorer all three years as well as first team All-Conference second team all-region. Tiger will be joined by the quick footed sophomore transfer Maggie Driscoll.

 

"One of the goals this year is to not rely so heavily on Tiger. This year the 3-4 system should help Tiger up top and take some pressure off of her to score goals. Maggie is like Courtney Driscoll in that she can run all day. Maggie will see time at midfield as well."

 

MIDFIELD

 

"Last year we lost the battle in the midfield because we didn't get pressure on the ball and we gave up a lot of shots on goal," Fagan said. "We need to get more aggressive and attack.we should be able to accomplish this with out three player midfield system."

 

Likely starters are junior Tara Moran, freshman Courtney Gaskell, and transfer Martha Billings.

 

"Tara will anchor the midfield. She is one of most skilled players on the team. We are looking for her to step up and dominate the midfield. Courtney is extremely quick and sees the field well. She will be a great force at midfield. Martha is physically dominate and a strong player who will see a lot of time. Sophomore Lori Wilson will see a lot of time as well. We will look to Lori when we are offensively minded."

 

DEFENSE

 

Junior returnees Cassie Smith, Breanna Schlosser, and Andi Jakubowski will start on defense. They will be joined by senior Cydney Topping who will make the move from midfield to defense.

 

"We are lucky to have three starters retuning on defense," Fagan said. "We are moving Cydney to defense because she clears the ball very well and is a dominate force in the air game. Sophomore transfer Mallie Foster will compete for playing time as well although she is currently battling ankle and quadricep injuries."

 

GOAL KEEPER

 

Three players remain to compete for the starting position after Meave Johnson was forced to forego her senior season due to an ankle injury. Junior Kristina Kennedy will be the number one keeper going into the first two scrimmages.

 

"Both Kristina and freshman Molly Sumpter will be competing for the starting role early on in the season," Fagan said. "Another freshman who has a lot of potential is Amy Wadley. After some work with Goalkeeper Coach Mike Decker she will have a good chance of competing for the starting job.

 

The Mountaineers travel to Walla Walla , Washington today for a 2:00 scrimmage against Walla Walla Community College. Home games get underway on August 28 when Eastern Oregon hosts Treasure Valley Community College. For tickets please call (541) 962-3497.

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