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women's soccer
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2007 outlook
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2007 Outlook
Gannon Expected to Improve Record
For Fourth Consecutive Season
Experienced and battle-tested
players are sometimes the best type to have. In 2007, Gannon will not be
lacking numbers in that category.
The Lady Knights return 16 letterwinners and every starter from last year’s
9-10-1 squad. In fact, the program lost only four letterwinners, none of
whom recorded a point last season.
The story only gets better when one considers the combined talent of the
returning players and the incoming freshmen. That is the reason for the optimism
surrounding the women’s soccer program.
“Overall, we are way beyond where we were my first season here,” said fifth-year
head coach Colin Petersen. “The program is attracting better athletes and
better talent. We are competing against NCAA Division I programs for these
players and we’re getting quicker and stronger athletes. I believe Gannon
is getting Division I caliber athletes.”
Gannon has shown vast improvements every season under Petersen. The Lady
Knights improved their record for the third consecutive season last year
and hope to break the .500 mark for the first time since 1999.
Petersen has noticed the desire to win and work hard with the group of returning
players. “There is a good chemistry on this team. We worked hard in the spring
and throughout the summer. The team didn’t have to work too much on fitness
when camp started because of their hard work in the off-season. It was extremely
beneficial for us because it allowed us to work more on the tactical side
of the game.”
Gannon fans saw the tide turning last year. The Lady Knights played with
the best, including a victory against 14th-ranked Indiana (Pa.) and a one-goal
loss to nationally-ranked Mercyhurst. “I think we out-played the majority
of our opponents last year, but simply couldn’t put the ball in the net.
Finishing has been a major emphasis during the preseason. Most of the coaches
acknowledged that we out-played them last year and it was a matter of putting
the finishing touches on some great soccer.
“I believe this team has the ability to produce a winning record this season.
In the end, our ultimate goal is to make the NCAA Tournament.”
FORWARDS
Seniors Jamie Shadd and
Megan Joint are the top two scorers up front. Both are expected to lead the
team with their play and leadership.
Shadd enters the season ranked sixth all-time at Gannon in goals (15) and
eighth in points (35). The redshirt senior had a break-out season in 2006,
beginning with a school-record four goals in the season opener at St. Joseph’s.
She finished with 12 goals after netting only three prior to the 2006 season.
It was the second-highest single-season total in school history, falling
three shy of the school record.
“What can you say about Jamie,” said Petersen. “She is passionate about the
game and her team. She is our leader on and off the field. She has the type
of character you want from your leader and captain. Everyone respects her.”
Joint ranks fourth all-time at Gannon in assists (11) and 18th in points
(23). The senior needs nine assists to break the school’s all-time mark.
She recorded five goals, two assists, and 12 points last season.
“Megan had a tremendous off-season,” noted Petersen. “She came to camp in
great shape. She’s stronger and quicker. The most impressive aspect of her
game might be her leadership quality, which has really come to the forefront
this year.”
Sophomore Ashley Sieniawski and a pair of freshmen, Breanne Radin and Carly
Clarke, will also compete for playing time up front. Sieniawski played in
nine matches last season. Junior Heather Patterson may also move up front
from her midfielder position if needed.
MIDFIELDERS
“I think this will be
our strength,” Petersen quickly noted when asked about his midfield. “This
is the engine room and we’re pretty well equipped to last through the season.”
Patterson, along with juniors Courtney Rowan and Katy Lynn, form the nucleus
of the midfield. Patterson ranks among Gannon’s all-time leaders in goals
(13th, 9), assists (16th, 6), and points (16th, 24).
“Heather might have been a little underrated last year because we took some
of the things she did on the field for granted,” said Petersen. “She never
stops working and her work ethic simply kills opposing players. It’s like
she has two hearts. She is an unbelievable worker who has improved her striking
a great deal in the off-season.”
Rowan might be the glue of the midfield. The two-time GLIAC selection has
dished out six assists in each of her first two seasons and serves as the
captain of the midfield.
“Courtney brings another dimension to our midfield,” noted Petersen. “She
is consistent, distributes the ball well, and is good in the air. Courtney
shows the discipline that we need in the midfield.”
Lynn had three goals last season, none bigger than the game-winner against
14th-ranked Indiana (Pa.) with 3:43 remaining in regulation. “Katy distributes
the ball as well as anyone, puts great touch on the ball, and is a great
striker,” said Petersen.
The biggest change in the midfield will be the addition of Chantelle Both,
who was a defender during her first two seasons at Gannon. The junior earned
all-region accolades as a defender last year, but is expected to bring another
leader and even more talent to the midfield. She had two goals and one assist
last season.
Another returning midfielder with plenty of scoring ability is Colleen Schwarz.
The junior ranks ninth all-time at Gannon in goals (13) and 10th in points
(30). She was Gannon’s second-leading scorer last season with seven goals,
four assists, and 18 points.
“Colleen is always in the right place at the right time,” said Petersen.
“She has scored a lot of goals for us and you don’t come across that type
of player very often.”
Sophomore Ashleigh Jackett should see playing time in the midfield after
playing in 16 matches last season. If those six players aren’t enough to
make opponents worried, true freshmen Julie Devus and Kellie Cope have been
added to the mix.
DEFENDERS
Four returning letterwinners
and two newcomers form the last line of defense. Sophomore Laura Piazza is
arguably the most heralded Gannon defender after being named to the all-region
second team last season as a true freshman. She has moved from the outside
to sweeper in 2007.
“Laura is lightning quick and eats up distance quickly,” said Petersen. “She
reads the game well and wins all the balls. Plus, she has done a phenomenal
job at her new sweeper position.”
Seniors Megan Coe and Crystal Myers, along with sophomore Erin Lochner, also
return with starting experience.
Coe started 19 matches last season and 25 during her three-year career. Lochner
and Myers started 11 and 10 matches, respectively. Myers is expected to move
to the outside.
Freshmen Maggie Bowser and Breanne Nalipa represent the newcomers in the
back. Both are expected to compete for starting positions immediately.
GOALKEEPERS
The goalkeeper position
is a three-person race with two veterans at the forefront. Seniors Tiffani
Parks and Holly Johnson split time evenly last season and will compete again
for the starting role.
“It’s up for grabs,” said Petersen. “Last year, we went back and forth. This
year, we have a third goalkeeper who has a chance to play. It will be a week-to-week
decision and will depend on who’s playing well.”
Parks was 5-6 with a 1.67 goals against average and a .743 save percentage
last season. She is Gannon’s all-time leader in shutouts (10) and ranks fifth
in saves (204). Johnson posted a 4-4-1 record with a 1.36 goals against average
and .790 save percentage. The third goalkeeper is redshirt freshman Sabrina
Chirco.
SCHEDULE
Gannon opens the season
with four of its first six matches at home before embarking on a stretch
that features seven of the next eight on the road.
The Lady Knights will play three teams ranked in the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll: Grand Valley State (#2), Indianapolis
(#16), and Mercyhurst (#30).
Gannon University~University Square ~ Erie, PA 16541-0001
Toll Free: 1-800-GANNON-U
Sports Press Box E-mail
updated 9/4/07 by: drt
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