2007 Season Outlook

It’s not often you’ll see a team building momentum off a loss, but that’s just what the women’s soccer team at Williams has done heading into the 2007 season.

Last fall the Ephs had their season cut short via 2-1 home loss to Colby in the first-round of the NESCAC Tournament and finished 8-3-3 after a 7-0-1 start. Head coach Michelyne Pinard, back for her fifth season at the helm of the Ephs, believes that the members of the program took the way they played that day — and not the result — to strengthen their commitment. “The team has really learned from — and kept their energy — from the Colby loss,” Pinard said. “It’s amazing how they’ve stayed hungry throughout the off-season and the preseason. We have a senior class that’s excited to lead the way, and the numbers in the first-year class have given us a jolt, providing a lot of depth to our already talented returning group.”

The good news for Pinard is that six of her top seven goal scorers from the 2006 season will return this fall. The bad news is, only one of her four starting fullbacks is returning. Pinard also lost standout goalkeeper Sarah Ginsburg to graduation, but with sophomore Lauren Sinnenberg back and first-year Julia Schreiber pushing for playing time, the coach feels comfortable with the position.

Junior Caitlin Colesanti is the lone returning back and she provides a solid anchor out wide. First-years Kara Duggan, Anne Marie Burke, Annie Neil and Elizabeth Danhakl will vie for playing time at the other back positions.

Senior captain Kaolin McEvoy  (2 goals, 1 assist) will return to her center midfield position to start the season. Others expected to battle for playing time in the midfield are senior Alexa Herlach, junior Lauren Garcia and first-year Tyler Rainer. Juniors Britt Spackman and Hannah Radcliffe will bring a defensive presence to the midfield.

Outside on the wings, sophomore Sarah Walmsley (6 goals, 2 assists) and senior Jessie Freeman (6 goals, 3 assists) will see time, although it’s possible Walmsley will also play up front. First-years Kathy Nyholm, Sara Wild and possibly Danhakl will contend for playing time there as well.

Up front, senior captain Ana Sani (2 goals and 2 assists), junior Gabrielle Woodson (4 goals, 1 assist), sophomore Brianna Wolfson (5 goals, 2 assists), Christine Jones and Charlotte Silverman give the Ephs plenty of firepower. “We have a lot of speed and athleticism outside,” Pinard said. “Our overall competitiveness is quite strong and I think our goalkeepers both being very good gives us a lot of confidence. We have a very fit and energized team right now.”

Of course, the Ephs will have to remain healthy, fit and energized for an entire season to get past the conference tournament quarterfinals for the first time since 2004. It’s a problem Pinard is cognizant of. “I think we need to be consistent through the whole season,” she said. “In the past we’ve tended to shine in September and struggle in October. We just need to take it day by day and make sure we focus on being consistent.”