2009 MIAC Women’s Soccer Preview

Inside Minnesota Soccer brings you your 2009 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Associations Division III Women’s Soccer Preview.

IMS sent out requests to all men’s and women’s head soccer coaches and asked them to fill out a few questions. Some responded, some did not, but with the help of those cooperating coaches and the teams’ websites, Inside Minnesota Soccer brings you the 2009 season preview.  

Look for the men’s preview tomorrow!

2009 MIAC Women’s Soccer Preview

Augsburg College – Auggies

Coach: Michael Navarre
Career Record: 85-72-22 (11 seasons)
2008 Finish: Tied 3rd (5-2-4 MIAC, 10-4-4 overall)
Post season accolades: MIAC Playoffs 4 of the past 5 years.

Key losses and key returning players: Lose All-Region GK, Maggie DeGroot, All-Region Defender Felicia Faison, All-Conf. Hon. Mention Forward Katie Medd, All-Conf. Hon. Mention Mid Kelsey Watsabaugh.  Return All-Conference honorable mention defender in Whitney Holman and 4 year starting defender Kristi Castelic.  Also returning are starting centermids Lisa Weniger, Jr. Gaby Hammerlink, Sr. and Courtney Gamrath, So.

Summary of recruiting: Augsburg had 10 new freshmen.  Kelsey Sorensen (Eden Prairie), Courtney Barthel (St. Michael), Bri Dorale (Anoka) Carly Reimer (Henry Sibley), Diana Bocklundd (Mahtomedi), and Laurie Barger (Monticello) are all solid incoming players.

2009 outlook: Augsburg has an uncharacteristically young team with 10 freshmen and only 4 seniors.  They have some big holes to fill losing two All-Region players and as usual we will play an extremely difficult schedule.  They’ve added a lot of talent to the program and the players are determined to be successful.  Although the team tied for 3rd in the MIAC last year, they missed out on the playoffs for the first time in 5 years (lost in tie-breaking criteria) and the players are hungry to compete for an opportunity to get back to the post-season.

Bethel University – Royals

Coach: Pepe Jon Chavez
Career Record: 16-15-5 (2 seasons)
2008 Finish: 10th (2-7-2 MIAC, 9-7-2 overall)
Post season accolades: No Response

Key losses and key returning players: With the graduation of six seniors, all of whom played a significant amount of minutes last year, Coach Chavez will look to a number of underclassmen and newcomers to step up into leadership roles this season.
While Bethel was led by a strong core of seniors last season, a pair of newcomers in Sophie Christiansen (So., Portland, Ore.) and Brittany Griffore (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) made an impact immediately as the two combined for 16 goals and 13 assists. The Royals are excited to once again put the pressure on opposing defenses, though Christiansen begins the season on the injured list. Krista Polding (Jr., Waconia, Minn.) also had a breakout year by scoring four goals and assisting on five others for 13 points, giving her 20 points in her two years thus far. Coach Chavez will also be looking for strong offensive support from Katelynn Hains (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) and Breanna Posey (Sr., Champlin, Minn.) as well as newcomers Kelsey Flaherty (Fr., Shoreview, Minn.), Anne Fazio (Fr., Holland, Mich.), and Brittany Flight (Fr., Mokena, Ill.). Jami Johnson (Jr.,Fergus Falls, Minn.).

2009 outlook: The goalkeeper position is open as Pepe Jon Chavez starts his season. Charli Sorensen finished her career in 2008 with the most wins, shutouts, and saves of any goalkeeper before her at Bethel in the 16 years of the program. Alyssa Riggs (Jr., Columbia Heights, Minn.) patrolled the posts as Sorensen’s backup and did not allow a goal in 180-plus minutes last season. Newcomers Kiersten Hansen (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.), Janel Pecachek (Jr., Eagan, Minn.) and Abby Furlong (Fr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) will compete for the starting job with Riggs.

“In order for us to be move up in the conference, we’re going to have to continue and develop our depth and apply more pressure both on offense and defense so that we’re playing to win – not just the game, but each time we step on the field and in all we do as a program,” said Pepe Jon Chavez.

Carleton College – Knights

Coach: Keren Gudeman
Career Record: 43-16-3 (3 seasons)
2008 Finish: 2nd (9-2-0 MIAC, 18-6-0 overall)

Post season accolades: MIAC Conference Tournament champions, NCAA tournament Elite 8 qualifier, NSCAA Team academic award, 3 All-Conference players, 2 All-Conference honorable mention, 2 All-Region, 1 Academic All-American.

Key losses and key returning players: Nicky Bloom, Sophie Wood graduate. Mia Zutz (Sr.) is lost to injury as are two of our incoming freshman. Key returning players are: Merritt Swain, Abby Wills, Leigh-Anne Borkowski, Lily VanderStaay, andCassie Burke.
Summary of recruiting: 5 strong freshman enter into the Knights program.

2009 outlook: The Knights come in as the only women’s MIAC team that is nationally ranked. Look to the Knights to pick up where they left off last year. They should win the conference but how far they progress after that is up to the team and how well the key losses of seniors can be filled in.

Concordia College – Cobbers

Coach: Dan Weiler
Career Record: 84-44-10 (7 seasons)
2008 Finish: Tied 3rd (6-3-2 MIAC, 12-5-3 overall)

Post season accolades: No response

Key losses and key returning players: Returning from last season for the Cobbers are three All-Region players in 2008. Abby Habein (Billings, Mont./Billings Senior), Sam Johnson (Fargo, N.D./Fargo North HS) and Sue Obermiller (Fargo, N.D./Fargo North HS) all earned All-Region honors last year and all have been starters since they stepped on the field as a freshman. That trio will be the trigger for the Concordia offense that returns all six attacking players from last year’s squad.

2009 outlook: Concordia head coach Dan Weiler enters the 2009 campaign with a load of optimism as the team returns eight starters from last year’s squad. He also brought in a bumper class of 13 freshmen to help the Cobbers get back to the NCAA Tournament. Concordia will also be trying to continue its recent tradition of being the premiere women’s program in the MIAC. Over the past five years, the Cobbers have won more league games (42) than any other team in the conference.

Gustavus Adolphus College – Gusties

Coach: Mike Stehlik
Career Record: 205-106-26 (19 seasons)
2008 Finish: 8th (4-5-2 MIAC, 7-8-3 overall)

Post season accolades: No response

Key losses and key returning players: Returning from last year are  junior forward Ashley Anderson, junior goalkeeper Chelsea Bayer, junior midfielder Mackenzie Del Santro, junior midfielder Meghan Faricy, senior defender Megan Gode, senior midfielder Becca Hagen, junior defender Abbey Maus, junior midfielder Karen Maus, senior midfielder Kirsten Thulien, junior midfielder Nicole Kwapick, sophomore forward Meghan McMillan, and junior defender Ana Norrell.

2009 outlook: Gustavus women’s soccer coach Mike Stehlik will look for continued improvement from a young squad that compiled a record of 7-8-3 overall and finished eighth in the MIAC last year with a league mark of 4-5-2.  Stehlik returns 14 letterwinners including honorable mention All-Conference defenders Alison Dittmer (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and Rachel Iblings (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.).  The team will build around a strong defense and veteran midfield and look to improve its goal scoring after being limited to one goal or less in 13 of its 18 games last season.

Hamline University – Pipers

Coach: Ted Zingman
Career Record: 17-19-0 (2 seasons)
2008 Finish: 11th (1-10-0 MIAC, 7-11-0 overall)

Post season accolades: 3 All-Conference Players

Key losses and key returning players:
Lost: Kim Magill, Mallory Koula
Returning: Sr. Haley Leverington (MF), Sr. Kelly Kunowski (MF/D), So.
Courtney McMoore (D)
Summary of recruiting: 10 incoming freshmen for varsity team.  Several top players, including Kelsey Caracciolo (Belgrade, MT), Isabel Benjamin-Alvarado (Omaha, NE), Natalie Cooper (Stillwater, MN), and Jackie Skoviak (Farmington, MN).

2009 outlook: Hamline Women’s Soccer will be a young exciting team this season.  With 10 talented incoming players, many new faces will be relied upon to immediately make an impact.  With a solid core of returning players, including All-Conference nominee Haley Leverington and Captain Kelly Kunowski, Hamline’s success will be largely determined by how quickly and effectively the new players can mesh with the returners.  It will be an exciting year!

Macalester College – Scots

Coach: John Leaney
Career Record: 285-73-31 (20 seasons)
2008 Finish: Tied 3rd (6-3-2 MIAC, 9-8-2 overall)

Post season accolades: No response

Key losses and key returning players: Macalester returns eight starters from a team which ranked second in the league in goals allowed, including All-MIAC defender Maddie Mette (Sr., Burnsville, Minn.). The Scots also return key defenders Kelsey Speer (Sr., Madison, Wis./West) and Jenna Machado (So., Boulder, Colo./Fairview). Other key returners for Macalester include midfielders Jordan Eckstein (Jr., Northampton, Mass.) and Lucy Miner (So., Seattle, Wash./Ballard).

2009 outlook: The Scots have made it to the MIAC’s post-season every year since the conference playoffs began in 2003 and figure to contend for another top-four finish in ’09.  Macalester is looking to get back to being a title contender after finishing 6-3-2 in the MIAC and 9-8-2 overall last year, barely avoiding its first non-winning season since 1988.

In his 21st season at the helm of the program, Coach John Leaney has posted a 157-23-22 MIAC record, and this year’s squad has the potential to be another contender for the veteran Macalester coach, who ranks fourth among active NCAA Division III coaches in career wins.  Leaney has won eight MIAC championships.

“We have a large first-year class and we really hope to see contributions from three or four,” reports Coach Leaney.  “Their adjustment to college soccer is crucial to our success.”

College of Saint Benedict – Blazers

Coach: Steve Kimble
Career Record: 0-0-0 (1st season)
2008 Finish: Tied 3rd (7-4-0 MIAC, 13-5-0 overall)

Key losses and key returning players: Graduated 10 seniors. This season lost senior Emily Willaert to season-ending knee injury. Return only 2 seniors: Allison Tourville-F, Shannon Strohm-GK. Juniors Chelsi Larson-F, Jill Daleiden-M, Kelly Suter-M, and Maija Schmelzer-GK would play a key role this season. Sophomores Heather Beshears-M, Sam Meyman-D, Kelsey Faber-D, and Stephanie Gibbs-M complete the first tier.

Summary of recruiting: Twelve first-year players will be on the roster. Immediate contributors will be Missy Shelendich (Mounds View), Erin Perry (White Bear Lake).

2009 outlook: The graduation of 10 seniors creates an incredibly young team for the Blazers in 2009. One senior on the field, one senior in goal and only 4 juniors on the roster. The College of Saint Benedict will rely on its youthful energy, agility and speed to challenge opponents in 2009. Lead by first year coach Steve Kimble, St. Bens definitely has a new look but should not be underestimated.

St. Catherine University – Wildcats

Coach: Steven Bellis
Career Record: 16-30-6 (3 seasons)
2008 Finish: 9th (4-6-1 MIAC, 9-7-2 overall)

Post season accolades: 1 all MIAC (Brit Deeb), 1 all MIAC Hon mention ( Kelsey Nistler )- 16 All Academic All Conference. The St. Kate’s soccer team has been honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for their academic record last season. The Wildcats were also one of five MIAC women’s soccer teams to earn the 2008 NSCAA Team Academic Award. The award is presented to teams with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better.  Only 263 teams from NCAA Division I, II, III and the NAIA received the award.  Head coach Steve Bellis’ Wildcats team had a cumulative GPA of 3.12.

Key losses and key returning players: 2 Seniors were lost – Still a young squad – No seniors in 09. Key returners – Deeb, Engel, Nistler, Thorwick – all Juniors who have played since day 1 and comprise the core of the team.
Summary of recruiting: Christina Paik (Oregon) and Ave La Salle (Montana) – 2 strong out-of-state squad members. Addition of transfer GK Bridget Berry will add depth.

2009 outlook: Now entering his fourth season, St. Kate’s soccer coach Steve Bellis has been developing one of the most dramatically improved soccer programs in the region. After inheriting a team that finished 2-13-1, Coach Bellis’ Wildcats have steadily improved their technical skills, style of play and game knowledge to move up in the standings.  After going 5-10-3 in 2007 then jumping to 9-7-2 last season, the 2009 Wildcats are looking to take yet another step forward and make a run at the MIAC conference tournament.

The Wildcats opened their season September 1st when they traveled to Martin Luther College. They followed that closely with a short trip to Iowa to play a pair of non-conference games.  Then after hosting the Wildcat Invitational Tournament which was held on Sept 12th and 13th, the Wildcats will start their conference schedule. This season St. Kate’s opens conference play against defending MIAC regular season champion St. Thomas on September 16th.

Saint Mary’s University – Cardinals

Coach: Eric Zimmerman
Career Record: 5-12-1 (1 season)
2008 Finish: 12th (0-11-0 MIAC, 5-12-1 overall)

Post season accolades: No response

Key losses and key returning players:
Key losses: Defender Emily Berg, midfielder Melissa Paulson and forward Bethany Kaufmann.
Key returners: GK Mariana Sanchez, MF Kierra Metcalfe, F Amy Sibik, MF Steph Marnocha, Def. Rachel Gates-Vickery
Key additions: Def. Kate Rivers, MF Kelsey Schneider

2009 outlook: The Cardinals are expected to be a much-improved team over 2008. Part of the reason for Zimmerman’s optimism is the return of the team’s top defensive player — goalkeeper Mariana Sanchez (Puebla, Mexico) — and top offensive threat — Amy Sibik (Onalaska, Wis.).

“The foundation is there,” said Zimmerman, who got an honorable-mention All-MIAC season out of Sanchez, while Sibik was the team’s leading scorer for the second straight season. “We just have to keep working to improve our overall team performance day-in and day-out.”Look for a team that is more competitive as coach Zimmerman brings in a more experienced team.

St. Olaf College – Oles

Coach: Jeremy Driver
Career Record: 20-28-6 (3 seasons)
2008 Finish: 7th (5-5-1 MIAC, 8-9-1 overall)

Post season accolades: No response

Key losses and key returning players: The midfield will be anchored by two-time All-MIAC junior K.C. Beed and senior Liz Brustad. Beed led the team with five assists last fall after spending her first campaign as a forward. Also returning are Becca Neuger, Allyson Connor and Christina Herron-Sweet. Each had two goals last fall. Sophomores Hannah Rosenthal, who played in 17 games in 2008, and Callie Knaeble could see some action again this year.

First years Anna Theis (Jordan, Minn./Prior Lake), Lauren Babcock (Sandy, Utah/Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s), Annie Manning (Wayzata, Minn./Minnetonka) and Rachel Saunders (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) will compete for time. The team also added first years Caitlin Fox (Overland Park, Kan.) and Aishi Mengi, who joins the midfield group from Tanzania where she played for Haven of Peace Academy.

2009 outlook: If 2008 was a step forward for the St. Olaf women’s soccer team, head coach Jeremy Driver hopes 2009 is a giant leap ahead as the Oles will return ten starters to a lineup that was .500 in conference play.

Last year the Oles finished five games better than their effort in 2007, finishing 8-9-1 overall and 5-5-1 in MIAC games.  Driver, in his fourth season, knows that getting his team to the next level will be a challenge. “It’s never easy,” he said, “but we think this is a season of opportunity for us. It’s the deepest team we’ve had in my four years. We have quality returners and a good group of incoming first years.”

University of St. Thomas – Tommies

Coach: Sheila McGill
Career Record: 24-8-6 (2 seasons)
2008 Finish: 1st (9-0-2 MIAC, 14-1-5 overall)

Post season accolades: No response

Key losses and key returning players: St. Thomas graduated a trio of four-year starters in Stephanie Paasch (three-time All-MIAC, nine goals and six assists in 72 career games); Courtney Walior (All-MIAC, three goals and three assists in 72 games); and Abie Krause (five goals and 14 assists in 71 games).

The 25-player UST roster includes 17 returners, two transfers, and five freshmen. Leading the returners are three senior co-captains — Erin Sprangers, the conference Player of the Year and an All-Region honoree; All-MIAC and All-Region forward Kirsten Moran; and MF Alison True.

2009 outlook: One weapon that was present in 2008 is missing as the 2009 St. Thomas women’s soccer team prepares for a new season. It’s the element of surprise. This year’s Tommies won’t fly under the radar like UST did early last season. St. Thomas was picked to finish sixth of 12 teams in the 2008 preseason coaches’ poll, but second-year Coach Sheila McGill guided St. Thomas to an unbeaten regular season (14-0-4), including a 9-0-2 record that claimed the MIAC championship.

The Tommies, who return 17 players, looked sharp in preseason scrimmages against Division II teams Bemidji State and nationally-ranked Minnesota State Mankato, according to McGill. The coach said this UST team has the best depth of any in her three seasons in the program.