Northwestern University Athletics
2006 Women's Soccer Season Preview
8/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 18, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern begins its regular season on the road Friday, August 25 against DePaul. The Wildcats will begin a stretch of nine straight matches in Evanston with their home opener against Kentucky on Sunday, August 27.
All but one starter are back from last year's team, including the 'Cats' leading scorer from 2005, Kelsey Hans (Lakeville Minn./Lakeville). Hans netted six goals in 2005 and recorded 16 points. Sophomores Jenny Dunn (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Louisville) and Jeanette Lorme (Santa Clarita, Calif./Sagus) are looking to build on solid freshmen campaigns. They combined for 10 goals and 28 points last season.
After a morning practice session, NUsports.com caught up with head coach Stephanie Erickson and midfielder Shannon Schneeman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) to talk about how preseason has been going and things to look for from the 2006 Wildcats.
Click the links below the transcript to listen to quotes from Coach Erickson and Shannon Schneeman.
NUsports.com: The team has been practicing for a while and has an exhibition game coming up on Sunday. What are your impressions of how the team has progressed so far through preseason?
Coach Erickson: I see a lot of talent and potential. We have been doing a lot of teaching and organizing the standard we want to set. There is still a lot to learn, but the girls have been working hard, have been committed and their effort has been excellent.
NUsports.com: With this being your first season as head coach at Northwestern, describe the adjustment players will have to make to the system you want to implement?
Coach Erickson: We are going to strive to be as organized as we can be. We watched for a few days and saw what kind of system and what style of play would be fitting for this team. Now we are trying to put that all together. It's a lot of attention to detail and making sure every person on the field understands their role and their duties.
NUsports.com: Talk about the newcomers. How soon are we going to see freshmen making contributions?
Coach Erickson: You will definitely see freshman on the field this year. It's a good class. There is a lot of talent and they will definitely see the field.
NUsports.com: What has it been like for you coming back to Northwestern after being an assistant coach a few years ago and of course playing your college soccer in Evanston? How has that made the transition easier?
Coach Erickson: It's nice to take over a program and have familiarity with the players. I don't feel like I have to get to know every single person. It feels like I'm getting to know half of them (laughs). That has been a luxury in the context of taking over a program. But I still feel we're starting from scratch when it comes to soccer even though I know them as people.
NUsports.com: Defensively, last year's squad recorded four shutouts. Talk about how the defense is looking...
Coach Erickson: We've got a lot of depth at the goalkeeping position. There are three of them (Leslie Gittings (State College, Pa./State Colege Area), Whitney Jones (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) and Lauren Johnston (Denver, Colo./Denver East)) who are all looking good. So that will push that position to be even better. In the back, we may see some youth this year. That is a place we really need to focus and make sure we're organized.
NUsports.com: If you had to think of a slogan to try to get fans up to the pitch what would it be?
Coach Erickson: I think they are going to come and watch 11 people at a time play together and play really inspired and competitive soccer. If anyone comes to watch us play, regardless of the result, they are going to be inspired by how the student athletes play like a team and look like a family.
Additional Audio: Click her name to hear Coach Erickson's answers:
NUsports.com: How have the veterans been helping the younger players along?
NUsports.com: Kelsey Hans and Jeanette Lorme were very solid on offense last season. How are you looking for them to improve this year?
NUsports.com: Do you think the buzz that the World Cup generated in America will get some more fans in the stands this year?
Additional Audio: Click her name to hear Shannon Schneeman's answers:
NUsports.com: Talk about how preparation for the upcoming season has been going...
NUsports.com: There are three former Northwestern soccer players on the coaching staff (head coach Stephanie Erickson, assistant coach Erin Ekeberg, and volunteer assistant coach Brooke Bean). Talk about the importance of tradition in a soccer program...
NUsports.com: What kind of mentality is Coach Erickson trying to instill in this 2006 squad?
NUsports.com: If you could think of a slogan to get people to come up to games this season, what would it be?
