Aug. 19, 2008
SPOKANE, Wash. - After producing the program's fifth consecutive 10-plus win season and matching the school-record for wins in a season with 12 in 2007, the Gonzaga University women's soccer team enters the 2008 season looking to continue its recent success and make a run at an NCAA Tournament berth.
With the opening of the new Gonzaga Soccer Field, 10th year head coach Shannon Stiles is looking forward to seeing this year's squad compete at one of the top facilities in all of Division I.
"We are looking forward to playing in front of our fans on our new field. The environment that Gonzaga has created for soccer with the new stadium is fantastic," said Stiles.
The Zags will be led by six returning starters from last season's 12-7-1 squad, including senior Kelcey Goddard, a 2007 All-WCC second team selection, and sophomore keeper Lauren Ames, who was tabbed for the WCC All-Freshman team a season ago.
Eight players on the 2008 roster appeared in at least 15 games for the Bulldogs last season. In the addition to the large group of returners, Gonzaga also brings in one of the top recruiting classes in the West Region, according to Soccer Buzz Magazine. Seven new players join the team this year and each is expected to make an immediate impact.
"Our group of freshmen, along with our junior college transfer, will be big contributors for us this season," explained Stiles. "They each bring a dynamic set of skills that will help our club and make every player around them better."
One of the Zags strengths last season was their defense. After posting nine shutouts last year, a good core of one of the top defenses in the WCC returns to lead the Bulldog charge. Sophomore Ames returns after securing the starting keeper position late in the season. She posted a 0.43 goals against average in six starts as a freshman. Joining Ames will be junior Jessie Thalman who led the team with eight wins and five shutouts last season.
"Both Ames and Thalman played well for us with Ames becoming a key part of our success in the latter half of our season. She helped us pick up two big WCC wins including the win over 13th ranked Santa Clara," stated Stiles.
Thalman and Ames, along with redshirt junior Kayla Jerde, will be pushed by two-time all-conference junior college transfer Amy Danielson.
"Danielson provides size and strength in the goal and will be a very welcome addition to our goalkeeper lineup," Stiles said of the incoming keeper. "The depth at our keeper position will allow us to push our keepers in order to find the starting goalkeeper for our team."
Goddard, along with sophomores Catherine Cullen and Elle Sweeney will head the back line for the Bulldogs. Lack of experience will not be a factor for the Zags on defense as Goddard and Cullen made 18 and 19 starts, respectively, and Sweeney appeared in 18 of the 20 games last season. The defense will again have some depth with the return of redshirt freshman Katie Spangenberg and additions of a very talented group of freshmen Casey Gould, Corey Protzman, and one of top players out of Colorado, Ashley Railey.
At midfield, sophomores Ashley Riley and Sheridan Jones each return looking to build off of their impressive freshman campaigns. Riley finished tied for the team lead with 12 points after scoring four goals and recording four assists and Jones finished with two goals and an assist from her attacking midfield position. Looking to join the two will be another highly touted freshman, Sarah Rhodes who was a three-time All-Provincial selection in British Columbia.
"We are excited about the combination of Riley, Jones, and our young freshman (Rhodes). We are expecting good things from this group this season, each player has the ability to make big plays," commented Stiles of her attacking midfielders. "Sarah compliments Riley and Jones very well; she brings a wide variety of skillful passes and can really finish an offensive attack. She will be a great asset for us throughout the season and her career."
Juniors Taylor Hall and Christi D'Agostino also are expected to see valuable minutes and contribute for the Bulldogs at the midfield lines. Hall returns after recording six points a year ago including a goal and tied for the team-high with four assists.
"Our veteran players in Hall and D'Agostino will serve important roles as defensive center midfielders this season. Both players have the skill set to play physical and both distribute the ball very effectively," said Stiles.
Senior Lauren Dascenzo and redshirt junior Lori Conrad each returns to lead the front line for the Zags in 2008. Both players are coming off solid 2007 seasons in which Conrad started all 20 games and Dascenzo appeared in 18 games with each player recording one goal. Freshman Emma Dolcetti, from Canada, is expected to make an immediate impact with the veterans on the frontline for the Bulldogs.
"Conrad gave us a much needed offensive spark last season and in the final couple games, proved to us that she can be an attacking threat. Her diving header to lift us past Pepperdine in double overtime was one of the highlights of last season. Dascenzo played a valuable role for us last year and we are expecting a solid senior season from her," Stiles said of her veteran returners.
"We add a talented freshman in Dolcetti to our frontline with Dascenzo and Conrad. Dolcetti is a big, strong, tall target and will work well in the box for us," said Stiles. "With Conrad, Dascenzo, and Dolcetti, we now have size, speed, and experience on our front line."
Redshirt sophomore Jessie Sorenson, and sophomore transfer Caitlyn Salo will see time on both the front and midfield lines throughout the season. Sorenson returns after receiving a medical redshirt last season after appearing in 14 matches her freshman campaign. Senior Lacey Castleberry is expected to miss the season while recovering from off season knee surgery.
The addition of one of the best recruiting classes in the Stiles era to a team that has a veteran presence returning at each line, will hopefully see the 2008 Bulldogs make a run at earning a NCAA Tournament berth.
"We finished on real high last year by winning our final two games and we are looking to carry over the momentum into this year," said Stiles. "With our new field, one of our top recruiting classes, and our talented group of returners, we look forward to accomplishing our goal of returning to the NCAA tournament."
