Bulldogs' Season Outlook
August 19, 2008 | Women's Soccer
Change. The definition of change is to make different. The 2008 Gardner-Webb women's soccer team could embody that action. The Bulldogs are changing conferences as they will enter their first season in the Big South Conference. The squad will look to change its record from the 2007 season when it had a losing mark and missed the conference tournament. The team has to deal with a lot of change as it graduated an abundance of student-athletes from last year's team.
However, change can be good. With a solid core back from the 2007 squad and the multitude of incoming talent, head coach Kevin Mounce's team will look to win the Big South Conference.
With a new season comes a change in possibilities, outlooks and attitude. A year ago, the team learned what it felt like to be left out of something after missing the conference tournament. The 2008 team, with a strong core returning, has battled many of the teams in the Big South over the years but is now intent on showing the league it can not only play with the teams, but also defeat them as well. For that to occur, there will be a changing of the guard as the Bulldogs look to leave their mark on a talented conference.
FORWARDS
The 2008 team will be looking for a new scorer as the most productive goal scorer over the past two seasons and one of the most successful in Gardner-Webb's history, Lindsey Gladhill, graduated after last season. As the top two scorers have departed, senior Angie Harvey is the top returner, having amassed six points on two goals and two assists. Junior Bailey Stevens also notched two goals a season ago and could have scored more, but was moved to the back line to help out the defense after it suffered a rash of injuries.
With Harvey, a first-team all-conference selection a year ago, back in the mix, the Bulldogs will use her superb speed to break through defensive pressure. Once she gets past the defense, Harvey will be counted upon to attempt more shots than she did a year ago.
"Angie is one of our captains," Mounce said. "She has tremendous technical skills and has done nothing but improve each and every year. I expect her to get even better this year. Angie works on the little things and gets better on her own. She expects to win and with her ability, she can help lead the team to more victories this season."
Stevens played tremendously well last season, all things considered. After playing defense her rookie year, she moved between the forward and defender spots on the field depending on what was needed. This season, Stevens will move to the front line and could wreak havoc with her sprinting ability and spot on shots.
"Bailey really improved last season," Mounce said. "I look for her to continue to get better each and every time she's on the field. She pressures the defense and is a strong individual. If she can get better technically, Bailey has the ability to score plenty of goals for us this year."
While Harvey and Stevens are the only two returners at the forward position, Mounce and his staff have set themselves up with a magnificent front line in 2008. Senior MacLean Wade arrived on campus a year ago after transferring in from the Sunshine State. Wade brings a tall, solid frame to the front line and could pose match-up problems to opposing defenses.
"MacLean is a strong person," Mounce said. "She can get shots off in numerous ways on frame. She brings a lot to the table for us, and her being an older, experienced player should help us."
In addition to Wade, three other newcomers to the squad will see valuable minutes throughout the season. Rookies Lori Norman, Paige Reagan and Dawn Rollyson will all contribute throughout the season.
"Lori is a front runner and is a target forward," Mounce said. "She will be able to use her body to play off the ball to other people in the box. Lori has a solid work rate and is a good addition to the team.
"Paige is a strong forward," Mounce said. "She can beat the defense off the dribble and is better suited as a target player. Although she needs to improve her quickness of beating people off the dribble, she is strong and can finish with both feet.
"Dawn is not your typical forward," Mounce said. "She can hold possession and can get turned quickly in order to get up field. She has a strong foot and can score from anywhere. She brings the attitude of a pure forward to the team."
At times, Megan Reimer could also play the forward position, but will mainly be used in the midfield.
MIDFIELD
Senior Cristin Yasinsac leads a strong trio of midfielders that make the return from the 2007 team. Yasinsac, who started every game a season ago, brings a lot of poise, confidence and leadership to the position.
"Cristin has good size," Mounce said. "She loves to play the game and has a tremendous attitude. She is strong on the ball and is good in the air. Cristin has a strong foot and hits a heavy ball. She will be counted upon to lead the team and put in quality minutes."
Playing alongside of Yasinsac will be junior Kasey Gladhill. A year ago, she started all 18 games in the midfield after tallying six starts as a rookie. Gladhill brings a ton of experience and has become more accustomed to the game after her first two seasons.
"Kasey is technically one of the better student-athletes on the team," Mounce said. "She needs to make quicker decisions, but can play up top or out wide, whichever position we need her at during a certain point. Kasey will help lead this team and will be someone that we can count on daily."
Sophomore Melissa Battista gained more playing time as her rookie campaign wore on. As she became accustomed to the collegiate level, she thrived when on the field.
"Melissa had a good rookie year," Mounce said. "She is a good defensive midfielder with solid ball skills. Melissa sees the field well and makes us a better team when she is in. If she plays every play and stays in top physical shape, Melissa could have an outbreak season."
Rookies Lauren Kelly, Chelsea Mosko, Megan Reimer and junior transfer Megan Tremblay will all battle for playing time in the midfield.
"Lauren is a crafty, skilled one-on-one player," Mounce said. "She loves to attack and will challenge for a starting spot right away. Lauren will help us out both up front and in the middle and can do numerous things for our team."
"Chelsea plays with a lot of passion," Mounce said. "She has a non-stop motor and plays hard all the time. "Chelsea can get physical with you and can run all day long."
"Megan is a big, strong player," Mounce said. "We plan to play her up top. Megan does a great job at finishing and scoring – and she brings something we desperately needed on this team. She has good speed and plays at a high level. She could also see some playing time as a forward."
"Megan is another Florida student-athlete," Mounce said. "She is a defensive center midfielder who loves to be in on the defensive battles. Megan wins the 50-50 balls and can get forward if needed. She plays well with other midfielders and can track an offensive player down. Megan will challenge for a starting spot."
Harvey will also see time in the midfield this season at times, but will be looked upon more as a scoring threat. Senior Dara Goldstein could play some in the midfield, but has proven herself as a shut down defender over the course of her career, which is primarily where she will play.
DEFENSE
The defense, which was riddled with injuries a season ago, should be back to full strength this season. Senior three-year starter Kara Krueger and junior two-year starter Karissa Jensen have both proven to be lock-down defenders while Goldstein's instincts are top notch and can control the last line of defense. Redshirt-sophomore Jillian Dean returns from an injury and could play valuable minutes.
"Kara is another one of our captains," Mounce said. "Her biggest attribute is that she brings great leadership skills to the team. Kara is the strongest athlete on our team, and being strong only makes her better. She is good in the air and has the skills to beat faster kids.
"Dara is a solid player who can play multiple positions for us," Mounce said. "She is one of the captains and exudes leadership. Dara is always one to put the team first, but her leadership is huge. If she continues to work hard, she will stay on the field.
"Karissa is a solid defender," Mounce said. "She was forced into a different role last year because of injuries. She's a good one-on-one player who needs to be better in the air. Karissa can set the example for everyone else.
"Jillian is one of the smarter defenders we have," Mounce said. "She reads the game well, but needs to work on getting her quickness back. Jillian plans to play this summer and if she trains like she did before she was injured, she could help us out tremendously."
Six newcomers will begin to immediately push for playing time. The rookie defenders all have good size and skill. Rookies Stephanie Benshoof, Mackenzie Davis, Christina Frost, Chelsea Hearne, Melissa Malone and junior transfer Brooke Bull will all compete for valuable minutes.
"Stephanie is excited about being here and we are excited about her being here as well," Mounce said. "She has been taught well, but she brings one thing to the table that can't be taught, and that's height. Stephanie has good foot skills and should be able to help out the back line a lot.
"Mackenzie is a quick, technical outside back," Mounce said. "She has tremendous speed that can be used on the flanks. Mackenzie isn't the biggest defender, but she is quick enough to avoid confrontations that could wear her down.
"Christina is a solid defender who can get up and down the flanks," Mounce said. "She can play in the midfield as well, but will challenge for playing time. Christina is a good player who plays at a high level.
"Chelsea is 6-0 and sees the field well," Mounce said. "She has a tremendous throw in, which almost like a corner kick because of her strength. Chelsea is good in the air and communicates to her teammates well.
"Melissa is a tall defender that is good in the air," Mounce said. "She needs to get a little stronger, but she has battled through a lot of adversity. Melissa has a strong character and has good leadership skills.
"Brooke is a junior transfer that we recruited out of high school," Mounce said. "She is athletic and is good in the air. Brooke is a great one-on-one defender and is a strong competitor. She is the type of defender that a team needs in order to win."
GOALKEEPER
The Bulldogs return two goalkeepers with experience in seniors Sarah Wyszynski and Kim Scercy. Wyszynski has started each of the last two seasons, but Scercy improved on her game during the spring season and will vie for the starting job. Mounce and his staff are also bringing in a third goalkeeper, junior Jessica Tuggle, who will push the others for playing time.
"Sarah has started every game she's been available the last two seasons," Mounce said. "She brings consistency and is confidence in herself and her teammates. Sarah has a chance to be one of the better keepers we've had in GWU's history if she continues to work hard and play like she can.
On the other hand, Scercy could challenge for the starting spot after having a superb spring season and continually working on every aspect of her game.
"Kim is an extremely hard worker," Mounce said. "She wants to get better and improved the most out of the entire team last spring. She needs to do a better job catching balls, but Kim can make the difficult save. She brings a great attitude and the staff is proud of how much her feet skills have improved over the last few months.
"Jessica is not the biggest goalkeeper, but she is technically sound," Mounce said. "She makes good saves and has good hands. Jessica makes the routine saves and makes the more difficult ones as well. Jessica helped Schoolcraft Junior College make the national tournament both of the years she was there. She will definitely come in and push the other keepers on the staff."
SCHEDULE
The Bulldogs face a challenging non-conference slate this season in order to prepare for the rigors of the Big South. After opening with three of their first four matches at home, the Bulldogs stay on the road for virtually an entire month.
GWU will open with Georgia Southern before traveling to The Citadel. The Bulldogs return home for matches against UNC-Wilmington and Florida Gulf Coast.
However, from Sept. 9-Sept. 31, GWU is away. During that stretch, Mounce's team will play against Appalachian State, Elon, USC Upstate, East Carolina. After the game against the Pirates, GWU plays its first-ever Big South game at Charleston Southern on Sept. 20. The Bulldogs step out of conference for a date against in-state rival Campbell two days later before returning to the pitch at Big South foe Coastal Carolina on Sept. 27.
On Oct. 1, GWU will host Presbyterian and will turn around three days later for another league contest against UNC-Asheville. After traveling to Winthrop on Oct. 14, the Bulldogs entertain Liberty and Radford on Oct. 23 and 25, respectively. The match against the Highlanders is Senior Day.
From there, GWU will take to the road for matches at High Point and VMI before preparing for the Big South Tournament Nov. 6-9 in Conway, S.C.
"We don't have a lot of home games early on, which is where the returners will need to help the younger players out," Mounce said. "We could play well and advance to the conference tournament, but it will take a lot of work.
The players will have to get used to the road games early on and will have to learn how to win away from home for much of the season. If the team makes those changes and can win at home, the team should be ready to make some noise in the Big South.
"We have a lot of players this year," Mounce said. "If we can
keep everyone on the same page and can help the team understand
that they will have to do what is best for the program, then we
will be successful this year."
