Author: Emily Phillips
After a rigorous preseason training schedule, a new Assistant Coach, and four non-conference games under their belts, the 2009 Women’s Soccer team is eager to face SCIAC competition.
The Tigers kicked off their season with a decided victory over Benedictine University, winning 6-0 with strong performances from many new additions to the team, including forward Becca Verstraete (first-year), midfielder Whitney Roline (first-year), and defender Liz Martin (sophomore), a transfer from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. These three, along with forward Leina’ala Song (first-year), played central roles in last week’s match-up against Chapman University as well.
The Tigers came out strong in the first half of what quickly became a physical battle against the Chapman Panthers last week. Dynamic duo Jesi Sasaki (junior) and Song led the offense, giving the team a strong forward combination that has been lacking in recent years. Both earned countless shots on goal with their unique speed, agility, and ball control in the front.
On the defensive end, Martin’s poised control and ability to quickly switch the field kept Chapman out of scoring range for much of the game.
“Liz has a great vision of the game, solid ball control, and composure,” Co-Captain Nicole Findlay (senior) said.Roline controlled the midfield, attacking up the right side and just missing the net on several occasions in the first half. The half ended with a Chapman lead of 1-0.
Possession was even in the second half, with neither team able to control the ball for long. Despite three starters suffering from injuries during the game, the Tigers’ spirits remained high and they were full of energy until the end.
“I think that our biggest obstacles are the injuries that players came in with and have even developed over the past few weeks. We just need to stay fit and agile in order to stay strong and prevent permanent damage to our bodies,” Verstraete said.
Corinne Winkler (junior), Maddy Rasch (sophomore) and Bree Geary (sophomore) all gave the Tiger fans hope with shots on goal that narrowly missed the back of the net. Even Chapman’s heartbreaking fast break goal with twenty-five minutes left in the game, leaving the Tigers down 0-2, did not put out the Tigers’ fire.
With eighteen minutes left, Verstraete broke through the defensive line and solidly struck the ball, sending it slightly to the left of the goal.
With nine minutes to go, Carolyn Goldberger (first-year) had a near-assist to Song, who collided with the Chapman goalie in her attempt to give the Tigers a shot at the win. Roline gave the Tigers one final chance at victory with only three minutes left, charging up the field only to be stopped again by the Panther goalie. The final score of 0-2 left the Tigers hungry for more.
“We knew they were a physical team and we all stepped up to the challenge. Yes, the outcome was unlucky but Chapman really pushed us to play at a level that we know we should be playing at,” Roline said.
“[Non-conference games] gave us the opportunity to figure out our strengths and weaknesses so that we can work to improve before league starts,” Findlay added.
In addition to what has proven to be a very versatile and skilled 2009 group, the Women’s Soccer program has a new leadership team with Assistant Coach Kirstin Radlinski and, for the first time in a number of years, three co-captains: Marci Kang (senior), Season Falkler-Rodriguez (junior), and Findlay.
“They all have different styles of leadership which I think is a strength of having three different captains,” Reinhalter said.
Coach Radlinski graduated last spring from the University of Colorado – Boulder with four years of Division I soccer under her belt. She has received a number of outstanding awards in her soccer career, including being named to the “All Big 12 Tournament Team” in 2008.
Her addition to the returning coaching staff of Head Coach Colm McFeely and Assistant Coach Megan MacDonald (’06) provides a fresh perspective on the game and a diversity of coaching styles for the Women’s Soccer program.
The Tigers face their first SCIAC opponent of the season on the road in their match-up against the University of La Verne at 4:00 this afternoon.
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