Saturday, August 22
Rock Hill, S.C.
7:30 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
at
Winthrop
Davidson W. Soccer Opens 2009 Season
8/20/2009 11:13:58 AM | Women's Soccer
Gavin McFarlin- Assistant SID
Game Notes - Game 1 at Winthrop
Live Stats
DAVIDSON, N.C. — The 2009 campaign for the Davidson women's soccer team will start off on the road when they head to Rock Hill, S.C. for a matchup against Big South foe the Winthrop Eagles at Eagle Field this coming Saturday evening, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Davidson begins its 21st year of women's soccer and will be looking to continue their winning ways of late. The Wildcats have tallied five straight winning seasons, hitting the 10-win mark in all five years that included twice going for a school-record tying 14 wins in 2005 and 2007.
In anticipation of the 2009 season, below is a look at the season preview for the Wildcats this year...
2009 Preview
Coming off its fifth straight winning campaign and fifth straight 10-win season, Davidson looks to again
carry the momentum into 2009 which has the Wildcats geared up for another run at both the Southern Conference regular-season and tournament titles. The Wildcats' roster features a nice balance of veterans and fresh new talent. With eight seniors returning from last year's 10-6-3 squad, the 'Cats are expect to again be in the upper of the?SoCon. Highlighting last season was the school's best start in the program's 20-year history with a 2-0-3 opening start.
“It was good to see us get off to nice start, and it all began with a great 2-1 season-opening win over Virginia Tech that helped set the tone for the first five games,” said head coach Greg Ashton, who is entering his sixth season. “I was very pleased with not only the results, but more importantly the way we played throughout the year. Although it was extremely disappointing to lose in the conference quarterfinals, it was still a solid season.”
With the return of 18 letterwinners from last year's squad, the 'Cats have a solid foundation on which to build an even stronger 2009 campaign. Davidson will be seeking its first SoCon tournament title since 1996 after finishing 8-3-0 in league play, good for fourth place.
“With a number of starters returning and the addition of a solid freshmen class, I am optimistic that we can have another strong season,” said Ashton. “I think we have the talent and depth in our squad to be one of the top teams in the conference.“
Defense
As has been the case the past few years, Davidson sported one of the best defenses last year, finishing with seven shutouts and ranking second in the SoCon with a 0.89 goals against average. The 2009 Wildcat defense will have to replace two anchors in Chloe King and Melanee Smith, who combined to start 130 of the 143 games they played in during their four-year careers.
“We will need to rely on some younger players to help fill the void left by the graduating class, but I?think we have a good mix of talent to still have a solid foundation on the defensive side,” Ashton said.
Senior Lauren Conner, who could also see action at both forward or midfield too, will be looked upon to fill one of the backline spots. The senior followed up a breakout second year with two goals and two assists as a junior a season ago.
Junior Amanda Flink returns to give the Wildcats' defense an offensive threat after tallying three goals for the second year in a row in 2008. She'll provide valuable experience in the backfield after starting all 19 games a year ago.
Sophomore Sophie Newsom will also look to work into the rotation after seeing action in 16 games. Of the freshmen class, Louise Timboe, Rachel Barnett, Jessica Calandra and Julia Calhoun will all be looked upon to help provide depth after nice prep careers.
Goalkeepers
Davidson broke in two freshmen goalkeepers a year ago in Christy Carry and Jessie Baxa. The duo started 17 of the 19 games, with Carry getting 10 of those starts. She had a 0.83 goals against average, coming up with 35 saves and sporting a 6-2-3 record between the pipes.
Baxa was just as good, allowing just four goals in her seven games, while recording 24 saves and matching Carry with three shutouts.
Junior Beth Peters along with senior Loring Ward will provide the Wildcats with plenty of depth.
Midfielders
The middle of the field will again have a nice mix of youth and veteran talent with seniors Courtney Hart, Katherine Laco and Sophie Funderburk leading the way.
Hart represented Davidson on the All-SoCon Second Team after starting all 19 games and scoring one goal as a junior. She has started 46 games during her three-year career.
Laco blossomed during her third year, netting a career-best two goals and picking up an assist, while starting seven games. Though she didn't score, Funderburk was still a pivotal part of the offense and started 11 games.
Also factoring into the central roles will be the junior tandem of Allison Drutchas and Callan Elswick after both played pivotal roles as second-year players. Drutchas was one of seven 'Cats to start at least 15 games and was tied for second on the team with three assists. Elswick showed her versatility by playing a variety of roles, and closed out her sophomore campaign with a goal and two assists.
The future bolds well for the Wildcats as Mary Marshall Meredith, Elizabeth Underwood and Stephanie Gerow all gained experience at midfield last year. Gerow had the biggest impact and is expected to step into the starting lineup as a sophomore this season. The first-year midfielder played in all 19 games and was one of five 'Cats to tie for third on the team with three goals.
Forwards
The 'Cats will rely on the very talented senior trio of Suzanne Sittko, Blakely Low and Kyri Bye-Nagel to form a potent and diverse attack at the frontline.
One of the fastest players on the field, Bye-Nagel was a first-team All-SoCon for the second year in a row after registering team bests of nine goals and 20 points. She was twice named league player of the week during the season, and also earned postseason honors that included being named to the all-state team and Soccer Buzz Southeast All-Regional Third Team.
“Kyri is one of the top players in the league and we fully expect her to be one of our main scoring weapons going into her final year for us,” said Ashton.
A former SoCon Co-Freshman of the Year in 2006, Sittko followed Bye-Nagel last year with four goals and added an assist to push her career totals to 16 goals and six assists in 58 games. Two of her four goals were game winners a season ago.
Low had respectable numbers with three goals, two assists and eight points. She started nine of her 19 games and is again expected to be in the mix for a starting spot.
Looking to jump in the mix will be Rachel Newmister. The freshman was a three-year letter winner at Clover High School and all-region pick as a sophomore and senior.
Live Stats
DAVIDSON, N.C. — The 2009 campaign for the Davidson women's soccer team will start off on the road when they head to Rock Hill, S.C. for a matchup against Big South foe the Winthrop Eagles at Eagle Field this coming Saturday evening, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Davidson begins its 21st year of women's soccer and will be looking to continue their winning ways of late. The Wildcats have tallied five straight winning seasons, hitting the 10-win mark in all five years that included twice going for a school-record tying 14 wins in 2005 and 2007.
In anticipation of the 2009 season, below is a look at the season preview for the Wildcats this year...
2009 Preview
Coming off its fifth straight winning campaign and fifth straight 10-win season, Davidson looks to again
“It was good to see us get off to nice start, and it all began with a great 2-1 season-opening win over Virginia Tech that helped set the tone for the first five games,” said head coach Greg Ashton, who is entering his sixth season. “I was very pleased with not only the results, but more importantly the way we played throughout the year. Although it was extremely disappointing to lose in the conference quarterfinals, it was still a solid season.”
With the return of 18 letterwinners from last year's squad, the 'Cats have a solid foundation on which to build an even stronger 2009 campaign. Davidson will be seeking its first SoCon tournament title since 1996 after finishing 8-3-0 in league play, good for fourth place.
“With a number of starters returning and the addition of a solid freshmen class, I am optimistic that we can have another strong season,” said Ashton. “I think we have the talent and depth in our squad to be one of the top teams in the conference.“
Defense
As has been the case the past few years, Davidson sported one of the best defenses last year, finishing with seven shutouts and ranking second in the SoCon with a 0.89 goals against average. The 2009 Wildcat defense will have to replace two anchors in Chloe King and Melanee Smith, who combined to start 130 of the 143 games they played in during their four-year careers.
“We will need to rely on some younger players to help fill the void left by the graduating class, but I?think we have a good mix of talent to still have a solid foundation on the defensive side,” Ashton said.
Senior Lauren Conner, who could also see action at both forward or midfield too, will be looked upon to fill one of the backline spots. The senior followed up a breakout second year with two goals and two assists as a junior a season ago.
Junior Amanda Flink returns to give the Wildcats' defense an offensive threat after tallying three goals for the second year in a row in 2008. She'll provide valuable experience in the backfield after starting all 19 games a year ago.
Sophomore Sophie Newsom will also look to work into the rotation after seeing action in 16 games. Of the freshmen class, Louise Timboe, Rachel Barnett, Jessica Calandra and Julia Calhoun will all be looked upon to help provide depth after nice prep careers.
Goalkeepers
Davidson broke in two freshmen goalkeepers a year ago in Christy Carry and Jessie Baxa. The duo started 17 of the 19 games, with Carry getting 10 of those starts. She had a 0.83 goals against average, coming up with 35 saves and sporting a 6-2-3 record between the pipes.
Baxa was just as good, allowing just four goals in her seven games, while recording 24 saves and matching Carry with three shutouts.
Junior Beth Peters along with senior Loring Ward will provide the Wildcats with plenty of depth.
Midfielders
The middle of the field will again have a nice mix of youth and veteran talent with seniors Courtney Hart, Katherine Laco and Sophie Funderburk leading the way.
Hart represented Davidson on the All-SoCon Second Team after starting all 19 games and scoring one goal as a junior. She has started 46 games during her three-year career.
Laco blossomed during her third year, netting a career-best two goals and picking up an assist, while starting seven games. Though she didn't score, Funderburk was still a pivotal part of the offense and started 11 games.
Also factoring into the central roles will be the junior tandem of Allison Drutchas and Callan Elswick after both played pivotal roles as second-year players. Drutchas was one of seven 'Cats to start at least 15 games and was tied for second on the team with three assists. Elswick showed her versatility by playing a variety of roles, and closed out her sophomore campaign with a goal and two assists.
The future bolds well for the Wildcats as Mary Marshall Meredith, Elizabeth Underwood and Stephanie Gerow all gained experience at midfield last year. Gerow had the biggest impact and is expected to step into the starting lineup as a sophomore this season. The first-year midfielder played in all 19 games and was one of five 'Cats to tie for third on the team with three goals.
Forwards
The 'Cats will rely on the very talented senior trio of Suzanne Sittko, Blakely Low and Kyri Bye-Nagel to form a potent and diverse attack at the frontline.
One of the fastest players on the field, Bye-Nagel was a first-team All-SoCon for the second year in a row after registering team bests of nine goals and 20 points. She was twice named league player of the week during the season, and also earned postseason honors that included being named to the all-state team and Soccer Buzz Southeast All-Regional Third Team.
“Kyri is one of the top players in the league and we fully expect her to be one of our main scoring weapons going into her final year for us,” said Ashton.
A former SoCon Co-Freshman of the Year in 2006, Sittko followed Bye-Nagel last year with four goals and added an assist to push her career totals to 16 goals and six assists in 58 games. Two of her four goals were game winners a season ago.
Low had respectable numbers with three goals, two assists and eight points. She started nine of her 19 games and is again expected to be in the mix for a starting spot.
Looking to jump in the mix will be Rachel Newmister. The freshman was a three-year letter winner at Clover High School and all-region pick as a sophomore and senior.
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