2008 Women's Soccer Season Outlook; home games on TEAMLINE
WILLIAMSTOWN — High expectations surround the Williams
College women’s soccer team as it enters the fall of
2008.
A program-record 17 wins, a NESCAC Championship and a berth in
the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament will do that to a program.
But veteran coach Michelyne Pinard, back for her 7th season
(64-22-14, .710) isn’t concerning herself with expectations,
not involving wins and losses anyway. Instead, she has her players
concentrating on a more simple goal: Improvement.
“Our focus is less on results and more on making sure we
get better every day,” Pinard said. “Each year brings
its own challenges, and we need to become a better team, as well as
improve technically and tactically. If we do that, the results will
take care of themselves.”
The Ephs jumpstarted their drive for improvement with a
preseason trip to Brazil from August 10th through the 20th.
Over 10 days, they trained and played against several top Brazilian
teams. Though the Ephs did not post a win, Pinard considered the
experience vital to her team’s growth.
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| Gabrielle Woodson '09 |
“Going to Brazil helped, because we played against some
phenomenal teams and we didn’t win,” Pinard said.
“But we learned a lot about ourselves because we faced such
great opponents. I think our team realizes we lost a lot to
graduation and we have a lot to figure out in critical areas on the
field.”
With 19 returning players — including one All-American and
three other First Team All-NESCAC selections — plus four
impact first-years, Pinard will have a medley of choices to make in
an effort to fill the voids created by graduation,
Williams allowed only six goals during its historic 17-1 season
in ’07, posting 13 team shutouts along the way. Junior
goalkeeper Lauren Sinnenberg, one of those First Team All-NESCAC
selections, is back in goal for the Ephs, but expect her to be
pushed by sophomore keeper Julia Schreiber. Despite
Sinnenberg’s 0.30 goals against average and .909 save
percentage, Pinard expects both to fight for the starting nod early
in the season.
Senior Caitlin Colesanti anchors the back for Pinard. A gritty,
physical player, Colesanti was also a First Team All-NESCAC
selection. Sophomore center back Kara Duggan, a solid tactician,
also returns. Another sophomore, Elizabeth Danhakl, is also
returning, but Pinard may move her to midfield in an effort to add
speed. Expect sophomores Anne Marie Burke and Annie Neil to
challenge for time in the back as well.
“I think the experience returning in the back and in goal
will be a strength for us,” Pinard said. “They give us
tremendous confidence with their ability to organize the whole team
shape.”
Much like in the back, Pinard has several veterans who
will contribute minutes in the midfield. Seniors Britt Spackman,
Hannah Radcliffe and Lauren Garcia are experienced veterans, junior
Sarah Walmsley (7 goals, 3 assists, 17 points) is a dangerous
attacking player, and sophomores Sara Wild and Tyler Rainer had
impressive campaigns as first years in ’07. In addition,
senior Clare Gallagher (5 goals, 2 assists, 12 points), who
displayed a knack for placing the ball in the back of the net last
year, could play out wide or up top this season.
No matter the system Pinard employs, she may very well have two
of the most dynamic forwards in the conference in senior Gabrielle
Woodson, an All American and NESCAC Player of the Year in 2007, and
Brianna Wolfson, a First Team All-NESCAC selection.
The two players combined for 24 of the Ephs 50 goals last
season, adding 17 assists between them. The 50 goals were a
single-season record at Williams.
“I think our team speed is an asset,” Pinard said.
“however, there is another level of technical proficiency
that we hope to work toward in order to become a more dynamic
attacking team.”
Pinard also expressed confidence in her first-year class, which
includes forward Brett Eisenhart (Seattle, WA), midfielder/back
Nicole Steinquist (Hudson, MA), midfielder Sachi Seigelman
(Oakland, CA) and midfielder/forward Erin McGonagle (Denver,
CO).
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| Brianna Wolfson '10 |
Pinard said she believes each of the aforementioned players has
a chance to make an impact on this year’s squad.
“It’s a high energy group, they’re incredibly
hard workers,” she noted. “They’re excited to
contribute to the team’s success in any way they
can.”
As usual with the NESCAC, there will be no patsies. Every team
but one in the 10-team league won a conference game during last
year’s slate. Tufts, Amherst, Middlebury, Trinity, Wesleyan
and Bowdoin all return all-conference players from ’07.
Still, Pinard isn’t focused on the league slate just yet
— and she doesn’t want her team to be either.
“I think each school lost talented classes, so I think
it’s unlikely one team will dominate,” Pinard said.
“For us, I think everyone is on the same page as far as what
we want to achieve this season, which is to play the best soccer we
can possibly play every single day.”
Williams opens its 2008 campaign with a home game September 6 at
12 p.m against Endicott.
Home Games on TEAMLINE
The Williams women's home soccer games during the 2008 season
will air on TEAMLINE again this season.
TEAMLINE is a pay to listen service. You can listen over your
telephone or over the Internet. To listen on the Internet go to TEAMLINE.
The Eph access code is: 0126.
To listen on your telephone dial 1-800-846-4700 and follow the
prompts. Eph access code is 0126.
Schedule
9/6 – Endicott – 12:00 PM
9/20 -- Bowdoin – 12:30 PM
10/4 – Trinity – 12:00 PM
10/5 – Union – 12:00 PM
10/11 – Wesleyan – 12:00 PM
10/19 – Keene State – 12:00 PM
10/31 – Middlebury – 2:00 PM
