2006 William and Mary Women's Soccer Outlook

01/01/00 12:00PM

WILLIAMSBURG, VA - Having posted an NCAA record 24 consecutive winning seasons, William and Mary Head Coach John Daly looks to lead yet another talented squad to success in 2006.

While the ’05 season saw the Tribe play in an NCAA record 11 overtime matches and miss out on a postseason invite for the first time since 1991, Daly expects the Green and Gold will return to the NCAA Tournament during the upcoming campaign. Led by a strong senior class, which includes co-captains Katie Hogwood and Anna Young, W&M returns eight starters. With a talented group of underclassmen bolstering the core of seasoned returnees, this season’s edition of the Tribe appears ready to build upon the program’s proud tradition.

Goalkeepers
With the graduation of two-year starter Kellie Fenton and reserve Kathleen Belk, three talented, but inexperienced, keepers will compete for the primary net-tending duties. Sophomore Meghan Walker played in just one match last season and is W&M’s lone keeper with collegiate experience. Despite seeing only nine minutes of action a year ago, she had an impressive spring season and continued to play well throughout the summer with her club team.

Also in the mix is a pair of incoming freshmen, Mary Jo Loos and Jackie Bowman, who both boast impressive resumes. A native of Ashburn, Va., Loos was selected as a regional All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) during her prep career.

Regardless of who wins the starting job, Daly expects to get solid play in front of the net.

Defenders
A four-year starter at W&M, Young will anchor a Tribe backfield that contributed to five shutouts and helped post a goals against average of less than one last season. A testament to her talent and durability, the team’s co-captain enters her senior season having started all 66 matches of her career. Her efforts did not go unrecognized in ’05, as she was a second-team All-CAA selection and a third-team all-region pick by Soccer Buzz.

Joining Young in the backfield will be a pair of game-tested sophomores in Abby Lauer and Dani Collins. Collins was a key contributor to the Tribe’s defensive efforts and her outstanding play won her CAA all-rookie honors, while Lauer earned starting nods in all 20 matches last season. Other returnees who should compete for playing time include senior Lauren Bowers, junior Amanda Brodeur, sophomore Meredith Brown and freshman Juli Valls.

Midfielders
With considerable experience and depth at the midfield position, the area looks to be a strength for William and Mary. While the loss of Anna Pawlow to graduation is significant, the Tribe returns a senior and three battle-tested juniors. Leading the group will be junior Mary MacKenzie Grier, whose three goals last season ranked third on the team. Senior Tiffany Chudoba and juniors Donna Mataya and Brittany Bode also headline the unit, as each registered at least 10 starts last season. Anne Sprinkel will also be counted on to provide valuable minutes.

Sophomore Laura Rochford and redshirt freshman Missy Ungerman are both recovering from off-season knee surgery and should be ready to compete by mid-September. University of North Carolina transfer Kendall Stone will also challenge for playing time, along with incoming freshmen Sarah Quinlan, Kim Sunada and Krissy Vornadore.

Forwards
With loads of talent up front, the Tribe forward positions will be filled by a bevy of explosive players. A mainstay in the Tribe attacking corps during her entire career, senior co-captain Hogwood will lead the talented group this season. After earning first-team All-CAA accolades as a sophomore, she was one of the College’s top offensive threats in ’05 as she dished out a team-high five assists.

Joining Hogwood will be one of the nation’s top sophomores in Claire Zimmeck. As a freshman, the Fairfax, Va., native collected a plethora of accolades, highlighted by selections to the All-CAA Second Team, the CAA All-Rookie Team and Soccer Buzz’s Regional All-Freshman Team. In addition to leading W&M in goals (11) and points (24), she earned national team of the week kudos from Soccer Buzz and Soccer America. Junior Emily Kittleson, who played in all 20 matches last year and totaled five points, also returns along with senior Rianna Barrett. Local product Kellie Jenkins, a graduate of Lafayette High School, will challenge the upperclassmen for playing time.


The Schedule
As is the case year-in and year-out, William and Mary will once again test itself with a challenging regular-season slate. Prior to commencing conference play, the Tribe will square off against a number of skilled opponents early in the season. With home contests against UNC Greensboro (Aug. 25), Syracuse (Aug. 27), N.C. State (Sept. 15) and Princeton (Sept. 17), and road match-ups versus Vanderbilt (Sept. 1), Auburn (Sept. 3), LaSalle (Sept. 8) and Colgate (Sept. 10), the Tribe hopes to find early-season success and use it as a springboard into conference play.

A perennial contender for the CAA crown, the College will square off against the usual suspects in its quest to reclaim the conference title it last won in 2003. This season, W&M will host Hofstra (Sept. 29), Northeastern (Oct.1), James Madison (Oct. 6), Virginia Commonwealth (Oct. 8), UNC Wilmington (Oct. 22) and Old Dominion (Oct. 27). Away games will pit the Tribe against Drexel (Sept. 22), Delaware (Sept. 24), Towson (Oct. 13), George Mason (Sept. 15) and Georgia State (Sept. 20).