Women's Soccer Sees 2005 as
8/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 19, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After posting the most ties in program history (5) and consequently missing the conference tournament by percentage points for the second straight year, the 2005 George Washington University women's soccer team is poised to make this season "Their Time".
GW all but concluded its preseason on Tuesday with a 4-0 romp at Rider. Freshman Kerry Philbin (Herndon, VA/Bishop O'Connell) scored two goals, senior Lise Backman (Beaconsfield, Quebec / John Abbott College) notched a goal and three assists and sophomore Anika Ackerman (River Edge, NJ / Bishop Walsh) scored once in the Colonials' lone preseason scrimmage.
GW also recently announced its captains for the 2005 season. Backman, midfielder Ina Kain (Irvine, CA / Woodbridge) and defender Shari Taylor (Fort Washington, MD / Bishop McNamara) each received the appointment.
Overall, the Colonials return eight seniors - all of who represent the program's last link to the Atlantic 10 Tournament when GW qualified in 2002. So for this group of women, the mission is to get back to the tournament and win the conference championship.
Head coach Tanya Vogel knows this senior class has the potential to make this mission a reality. Vogel returns 15 letter winners from a 2004 squad that posted a 6-8-5 record. In addition, the squad returns three red shirt freshmen and adds seven newcomers with a wealth of club, ODP and high school experience.
The strength of the team lies in what Vogel calls "the strongest and deepest senior class the program's produced in over a decade." With the return of preseason all-conference goalie Anna Handzlik (Palos, Verdes, CA)and Kain, both seniors, GW has two of the A-10's most exceptional players.
In addition to Handzlik, senior Kelly Paolucci (Lanham, MD / Good Counsel) and red shirt freshman Amie Kern (Saylorsburg, PA / Stroudsburg) will each add depth to the goalkeeper slot. Handzlik and Paolucci have both served as starting keepers during their time with the Colonials and will continue to anchor the defense.
GW is set to make a strong run at its first-ever conference title and first NCAA appearance since 1996 with a team foundation thick with experienced seniors.
"This year's senior class provides invaluable experience for our team all over the field," Vogel says. "Their leadership will be called upon from day one until the completion of our season...and with this group I really believe that could be as late as the end of November."
On the attack, Kain will be looked upon as the primary playmaker and goal scorer. As the team's returning points leader, Kain has the ability to change the game, as seen last fall with a two goal performance against conference rival Richmond.
It will not, however, be a one-woman Colonial show. Both Kain and Backman will provide quickness and tenacity in the midfield, up top as well as in the back. The athleticism and work ethic of Backman, along with senior Ashley Squires
Additionally, the presence of senior Audrey Ehrhorn (Kailua, HI / Iolani> in the center back position and defensive midfield slots will make many teams cringe. Ehrhorn's skill as a ball winner and her ability to mark frontrunners will solidify the center of the field, making it nearly impenetrable.
Sophomore Nicole Trickett (Eugene, OR / South Eugene) proved her worth in the midfield last fall and in the spring. Her technical abilities and strength in the air are top notch. Additionally in the center of midfield, the Colonials are ecstatic to add Philbin who, combined with Kain and Trickett, will be a part of one of the most dynamic midfields in the A-10.
Senior Erynn Clapp (Lima, NY / Monroe Community College) is a proven leader, coming into the program last year from Monroe Community College as a three sport all-star (Soccer, Basketball, Softball). The Colonial women will look to Clapp as a tireless working defender and midfielder.
Junior Nicole Cavino (Rye, NY / Rye) returns to GW after spending the spring semester abroad (Prague, Czech Republic). Cavino started all 19 games last year at center back and up top. Her finishing abilities were apparent as she tallied the game-tying goal against Fordham in the final minutes of the contest.
Fellow juniors Taylor and Molly Eckert (Scottsdale, AZ / Desert Mountain) will bring experience, athleticism and tremendous soccer knowledge into the back four. Both have started during their careers and look to secure starting roles this fall.
Taylor and Eckert will be competing with red shirt freshman Erica Gilles (Cumberland, MD / Bishop Walsh) and Katelin Fallon (Durham, NC / Durham School of the Arts). Both players are coming off of injuries and are expected to return early to mid-season.
Rebecca Schumer (Baltimore, MD / Pikesville) also missed significant time to injury in 2004, but is healthy now and ready to contribute.
Another newcomer competing for a starting spot in the back four is freshman Lauren Kelly (Oakhill, VA / Bishop O'Connell). Kelly's experience playing for RFC Milan and, most recently, Region 1 Champion Bethesda Excel has helped her develop into a solid defensive player.
Rebecca Schumer, Katelin Fallon and Erica Gilles missed significant time due to injury in 2004 but enter this season healthy and able to contribute.
GW's twin giants up front, 5'11" sophomore Jordan Sweeney (Houston, TX / Cy-Fair) and 6'0" sophomore Kiki Colker
Sophomore Anika Ackerman (River Edge, NJ / River Dell) will contribute both up top and in the midfield. Her goal scoring abilities grew apparent throughout the spring season. Her speed on the flanks will help get her into the final third providing yet another weapon for the Colonials.
GW's incoming freshmen class was tabbed by Soccerbuzz Magazine as one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic Region. All the players come from solid club backgrounds, representing the finest in Region 1- Bethesda Soccer Club, PDA, Eastchester, Reston FC, FC Magic and Blackwatch Premier.
Simone Russo (New York, NY / Poly Prep) and Meg Pyle (Franklin Park, NJ / Mount St. Mary Academy) were recruited and brought to the program as prolific goal scores. Both have proven their finishing abilities at the highest club levels and will each be counted on to do the same at GW. Russo is a "bulldog" up top and will run through a brick wall, while Pyle's strengths lie with her back to the pressure.
Other newcomers anxious to contribute include midfielders Stephanie Covello (Skillman, NJ / Princeton), Keara Mehlert (Silver Spring, MD / Chevy Chase, MD / Stone Ridge School) and Ali Sylvetsky (Niskayuna, NY / Niskayuna), each possessing the ability to play in the midfield and up top.
The Colonials' schedule gets a little stronger this year as the A-10 adds two more programs to the conference - Saint Louis and Charlotte.
GW's 17-game schedule includes its season opener in Annapolis, MD against Navy and a cross-country road trip to face San Diego State and UC Santa Barbara. Nine-straight conference games will conclude the Colonials' regular season before heading off to Dayton, OH for the A-10 Championship (Nov.2-6).
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