Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Open 2008 Campaign With Exhibition Against Louisville
8/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 12, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Just over one week after reporting to campus for the 2008 season, the Wildcats will see their first game action in an exhibition against Louisville at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Lakeside Field. Head coach Stephanie Erickson will get her first look at a team that will welcome back plenty of experience, but will look to replace over half its goal production and its starting goalkeeper from a year ago.
Coming off Big Ten Tournament appearances in her first two seasons at the helm of her alma mater, Erickson's Wildcat squad features a dynamic blend of youth and experience that is poised to bring Northwestern back to the NCAA tournament.
At forward, senior Jenny Dunn (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Louisville) is the current squad's leader in career goals and will look to improve on her seven-point campaign in 2007. Although Northwestern lost its all-time goals leader in Kelsey Hans and dynamic goal-scorer Shannon Schneeman to graduation, it brings back plenty of offensive punch. Sam Greene (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica) enjoyed a successful freshman season with 10 points and junior Alicia Herczeg (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) has racked up 15 points in her first two years. They will be joined by talented freshmen up front.
In the midfield, Jeanette Lorme (Santa Clarita, Calif./Sagus) has started every game she has played in, and was a team captain last season, while sophomore Jennifer Baumann (Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial) gained valuable experience and racked up six points.
On defense, the return of a 2006 Big Ten All-Freshman selection Leigh Jakes (McDonough, Ga./Eagle's Landing) will boost a unit that welcomes back a wealth of experience. Senior Laura Janowitsch (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) will anchor the unit that will be in charge of protecting a young goalkeeper.
Whoever starts the first game between the pipes for the Wildcats will be making their first career start. Sophomore Carolyn Edwards (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) is the most seasoned with four appearances and 85 minutes of shutout soccer under her belt from last season. Edwards, along with sophomore Grace Weitz (Golden Valley, Minn./Breck School) and freshman Courtney Smith (Plano, Texas/Plano West), will make up the goalkeeping stable for 2008.
The Wildcats' greatest asset entering 2008 is their experience all over the field. The entire senior class will make big contributions with Dunn up front, Lorme and Amanda Hoffman (North Tustin, Calif./Foothill) in the midfield and Janowitsch in the back. Erickson and the coaching staff will look to the four seniors for their skills, but more importantly, their leadership.
Northwestern moved into its new Lakeside Field last year, but played on the surface while the stadium received several trimmings during the season. This year, the Wildcats are set to begin the first full campaign in its new facility and will boost excitement with several night contests in Evanston. The schedule is tough, with eight NCAA tournament teams from a year ago, but a dynamic and talented squad sporting a mix of youth and experience will look to bring the Wildcats back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998.
Northwestern opens the regular season at 5 p.m. Friday, August 22, against Nebraska. The Wildcats start the season with three-straight home games.
