|
Red Hawks Motivated For 2009 Season
The Ripon women's soccer team has improved their conference record in each of the past two years, making 2009 one of optimism for that trend to continue. The Red Hawks finished tied for seventh in the Midwest Conference a year ago, with a 5-13 record (3-6 in the MWC), but return nine of their 11 starters. The coaching staff hopes that experience will help in the Red Hawk's quest for continued improvement.
"The experience we have coming back will be a huge factor," said head coach Chris Trudell. "In my three years as head coach at Ripon, we have never had a core group like this stay together for multiple seasons. We're also deeper and more athletic than we have been in the past."
Despite beating three teams in the conference last season, Ripon was picked to finish eighth in the MWC preseason coaches poll. That will do nothing but fuel the team's desire to compete at their highest level in 2009.
"Last year, we beat one of the teams that is ranked ahead of us in the preseason poll, which is always frustrating to the players when it feels like we've improved, but it doesn't get recognized," said Trudell. "I would hope that provides a little more motivation for them to want to make a statement against certain teams."
That motivation will be led by co-captains Janel Karsten (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha South) and Tiffany Bacon (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park), who will provide plenty of leadership. Karsten, one of just two seniors on the team, was hampered by injuries last year, scoring one goal in 12 starts. Bacon, a junior defender, played in all 18 games for the Red Hawks last season, starting 10.
"All the players on the team have input on who the captains should be before the season and I think they did a good job picking two girls who have assumed a leadership role over the past couple years," said Trudell. "Janel and Tiffany are both great leaders who are vocal both on and off the field and do a great job of including all the players in what we're doing. They've both been great representatives of our soccer program since they've been here."
Rachel and Jessica Martzahl (New London, Wis./New London) will also be a huge part of the team as they enter their junior season. The twins have ranked first and second on the team, respectively, in each of the last two seasons. They combined for 13 goals and five assists last year and will again be counted on for a lot of the team's scoring.
"I've had high expectations of them every year they've been here," said Trudell. "If they stay healthy, I expect them both to have very good seasons once again."
Another player that has seen extensive playing time since her freshman season is senior Brenda Zastrow (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East), who is a dual threat, playing both forward and goalkeeper. In 2008, Zastrow was tied for fourth on the team in goals, scoring four times, while also saving 42 shots in six games between the pipes.
"It's nice to have that caliber of backup keeper who could probably start at goalie on almost any team in the conference, but she's just a great athlete, so she'll primarily be used in the field," said Trudell. "That's the best place for her right now, but it's a fortunate situation for us that we have the flexibility of moving her into goal if needed."
Barring injury, moving Zastrow into goal probably won't be necessary, as sophomore GoalKeeper Angelica Cooper (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) returns after starting 12 games last season. Cooper earned four of Ripon's five wins, saving 95 shots in the process.
"Angelica has a great work ethic and has a tremendous desire to be a great player. She is willing to put in the extra work and effort and do whatever it takes to be the best that she can be," said Trudell. "We feel very confident with her back there because she does a great job at pretty much everything and continues to work every day to get better."
Helping Cooper out on defense will be junior Alice Fehlandt (Boulder Junction, Wis./Lakeland Union), who was Ripon's only All-Conference selection last season, earning Honorable Mention honors. Fehlandt started all 18 games as the Red Hawk's premier defender, while also scoring one goal.
"Alice is an exceptionally good defender that's very fast and athletic. She's a great player and will certainly be one of the stalwarts of our defense," said Trudell. "She provides a lot of leadership and will be a tremendous lockdown defender once again, just as she was last year."
Sophomores Sara Wimmer (Grayslake, Ill./Grayslake North) and Ali Borowsky (Oxrford, Penn./Oxford) will also be counted on to contribute defensively.
"Sara and Ali both bring a lot of athleticism and good defending skills and will contribute to the team. They are willing to get into the attack, which I really like in an outside defender," Trudell said.
On the offensive side of the ball, Brittany Johnson (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) and Lauren Frankiewicz (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) are a couple talented sophomores who started nearly every game last year. Johnson finished the season with four goals and an assist, while Frankiewicz scored three times, while assisting on another.
"Brittany and Lauren will be our two attacking midfield players. Both are very good with the ball at their feet and are skilled at seeing the field and distributing the ball," said Trudell. "They'll be the creators for us offensively and will also have the ability to score some goals on their own."
Giving the Red Hawks some added depth will be junior Noelia Sayavedra (Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh North), who started 15 games last year, and sophomores Gisela Ortega (San Pablo, Calif./Pinole Valley) and Lindsay Sykes (Milwaukee, Wis./West Allis Central), as well as a host of talented freshmen.
"We'll continue to build on our possession game, but will try to be more attack oriented this season. We have a lot of players that can score, so our focus will be on trying to put some pressure on other teams and keep the ball out of our defensive end as much as possible," Trudell said.
|
