Northwestern University Athletics
The 2003 Outlook
8/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 20, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - After a season in which Northwestern women's soccer team outshot nine opponents but garnered just four wins, the Wildcats are poised to make a leap in the conference standings in 2003.
NU returns nine players who started at least 10 matches last season, including five who started all 18. You could even say that the 'Cats return starters at all 11 positions -- junior Anne Helm got the nod in goal for six Big Ten matches last year, while sophomore transfer Michele Magnuson started all 20 matches for Evansville in 2001 before injuring her knee prior to the 2002 season.
"Our women are ready for this season,' said head coach Jenny Haigh. "We have been afforded a great opportunity with the return of so many players. We are all excited, it is as simple as that."
Northwestern returns a ton of offensive firepower in 2003 -- all of it, in fact. Every player who recorded a point for NU in 2002 is back. The leader at that end is senior Aileen Guiney, a first-team All-Big Ten midfielder who set school records last year for assists (5) and points (11) in conference play. Overall, she had nine assists -- tied for second on NU's single-season list -- and 15 points.
Another major threat up front is junior Ashleigh Garmon, who had six goals which was the best by an NU player since 1998. Expect sophomores Tabitha Lowey (2 goals, 4 assists in 2002) -- whose club team won the national under-19 title in July -- and Julie Lipinski (3 goals) to contribute again, and Haigh also sees big things coming from classmate Nell Compernolle (1 goal) after she had a strong spring. Senior Kristen Pearce started every match in 2002 and could also step up in her final season.
"All of our scorers return from a year ago," said Haigh. "Now we need all of them to be slighly more productive in 2003."
Guiney anchors a midfield that only got stronger as last season progressed. Junior Carolyn Hack (2 goals, 1 assist in 2002) has started every match in her first two years at Northwestern and will settle in the middle again, likely with sophomore Kate Ghidinelli (1 goal) who made 12 starts and was often the Wildcats' best player on the field. Molly Maxfield will also be a major minutes person here.
Defensively, Northwestern returns three of four starters for the second straight year. However, the 'Cats need to shore things up -- after allowing just 22 goals in 20 matches in 2001, they gave up 30 in 18 matches last year.
"We are excited about our returning defenders and the trio of goalkeepers we have competing this fall," said Haigh. "We expect defense to be a strength this season."
Senior Molly Greene, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, has been the constant at sweeper. She has started every match since she arrived at Northwestern, as has the player who stands in front of her on the field, junior Lindsey Veris. Veris was hampered by injuries last year which slowed her, but she is back and healthy and ready to show the form she had as a freshman in 2001.
The outside back positions have numerous returnees battling. Junior Kristiina Gilkey started 12 matches there last year, but she will have to hold off Magnuson, as well as classmates Katie Gunderson (3 starts in 2002) and Lauren Johnson. Christine Klotz will also try to get in the mix after missing last year due to a preseason injury.
In goal, Northwestern loses Susie McCreery but returns Helm, who posted a 1.64 goals-against average and was between the sticks for both of NU's Big Ten wins last year. She will have plenty of competition in preseason, though, as highly touted goalkeepers Leslie Gittings and Whitney Jones -- who arrives at Northwestern after just three years of high school -- will attempt to win the starting spot.
"I think our success, as it is with every team, will correlate directly with our performance in both of the 18-yard boxes," said Haigh. "We need to find a way to score more goals, and also keep the ball out of our own net."
Gittings and Jones are part of another strong incoming class. Andi Plocek and Shannon Schneeman are versatile additions who will look to work into the attack or midfield, while Katie Wright is a backfield candidate.
"We will approach this season as a continuation of cohesive and consistent growth," said Haigh. "We can simply plug our newcomers into what is already an established competitive process."
