Northwestern University Athletics
1998 Wildcat Women's Soccer Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
August 10, 1998
The 1998 Northwestern women's soccer team looks to build upon the foundation of success they have laid in their first four years.
After earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament in just its third year of existence in 1996, NU marched to their first Big Ten Tournament Championship game last season.
"I think we learned how to manage expectations last season," says fifth-year head coach Marcia McDermott. "We learned how to play to the level we're capable of. We learned how to stay in the moment."
That level will be high again this season as the 'Cats return 16 letterwinners and seven starters that accounted for 74 percent (104) of NU's single-season record 140 points last season. The 'Cats also set single-season marks with 52 goals and 36 assists and had nine players with at least 10 points.
The leading returning scorer is sophomore forward Brooke Bell. Despite not starting a single game last year, she tallied eight goals (on just 24 shots), five assists and two game-winning goals. She scored a goal and knocked in the winning penalty kick in NU's shootout win over top-seeded Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
"Brooke needs to fulfill two roles for us this season," says McDermott. "She has to continue to score goals and become an even bigger part of the offense. Shes a very tactical player and has the potential to make a very big impact."
Also spearheading the attack will be senior forward Dionna Latimer. The team's third-leading scorer a year ago with 14 points on five goals and four assists, she contributed when it mattered most, tying for the team lead with three game-winning goals and three game-winning assists. She enters 1998 second on the NU all-time goals scored chart with 14. She also provides plenty of experience, having started 52 of 60 games in her career.
"Dionna just keeps getting better and better each season," says McDermott. "She's constantly improving and really emerged this past spring as the leader of the attack."
Also looking to make big contributions up front is junior forward Christie Molitor. She started 18 games last season, tallying 10 points on four goals and two assists, both of which were game-winners.
"Christie had a great spring and her confidence continues to grow," says McDermott.
Also seeing time up front will be sophomore Bridget Darby, who scored three goals on just five shots last year, and fifth-year senior Lisa Byington. Freshman Katie Hertz will also compete for time on the attack.
In the midfield, senior Cathleen Cooke, who has started 58 of 60 games in her career, and junior Erica Westrich, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten pick and the 1996 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, head a deep and experienced corps of players.
Cooke tallied 13 points on five goals and three assists last season and is one of NU's most talented and versatile players.
"Cathleen is our most versatile player," says McDermott, "She matches up well on other teams' center-mids, but at the same time she is always a threat."
Westrich, who ranks third on the all-time NU assists chart, adds another dimension to the midfield.
"Erica has the versatility to play anywhere," says McDermott. "She's an excellent distributor and a great one-on-one player. In addition, she really developed her scoring touch this spring and we really need that from the midfield."
Fellow seniors Heather Brown and Kathy Zimmerman solidify the already talented group. Zimmerman brings tough defense to the middle as well as a scoring spark, tallying three assists last season to go along with a goal. Brown was having a solid season before a knee injury cut her season short.
"Zimmerman is our most consistent player," says McDermott. "We count on her because she always plays well. This year we're looking for her to score a little more. Brown has recovered from her injury and we're looking forward to having her back. She was really playing well last fall when she got injured."
Rounding out the midfield will be fifth-year senior Erin Aubry and juniors Elissa Koch and Kasha Roseta. Also looking for playing time will be freshmen Kas McCoy, the 1997 Ohio Player of the Year, Sara Bodine and possibly Katie Hertz.
Senior Kristen Palmer is the heart and soul of the defense. Not only is she a tenacious and fearless defender, she's also a big part of the offense. She led NU and finished second in the Big Ten a year ago with an NU single-season record eight assists.
"Kristen is a very savvy, very consistent defender," says McDermott. "She gives us the best leadership in the back we've ever had at NU."
She'll need all those leadership qualities as NU looks to replace two starters in the backfield. Senior Sarah Joehl, one of NUs most versatile players, will see a lot of action both in the back and in the midfield. She started 18 games last season, seeing time all over the field. Joehl tied for third on the squad with five goals.
"Joehl's a great leader off the field and the hardest worker on the team," says McDermott. "She has played every position and will do that again this season, if needed."
McDermott will also look to sophomore Shay Unterreiner, as well as freshmen Katie Kovatch and Enyo Dzata, for help in the back.
After four years of security in goal with three-time team MVP Wendy Scholz, NU looks to replace one of its best. Sophomore Erin Ekeberg and freshman Susan McCreery will vie for the starting spot.
"Erin improved considerably in the spring and will be in a battle with Susie," says McDermott. "One of the two will have to step it up."
