University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Soccer: The Future is Now
8/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
A year after collecting the program’s most wins since 2000 and signing arguably the top recruiting class in the history of the program, Minnesota will feature a more talented, deeper and athletic squad this season.
The Golden Gophers will be a young squad, with just seven upperclassmen, all seniors, on the roster. Minnesota will rely on the experience of the seniors who have seen it all during their careers, except a trip to the postseason.
“Our seniors are extremely tough,” Denney Wright said. “They’ve been so loyal to this program and now they’re determined to leave behind a legacy. We’ve really empowered them this offseason to become the leaders of this team and they’ve accepted that challenge.”
The leadership will be key with 19 underclassmen, including a freshman class of 14. The talented rookies will be counted on immediately with as many as six projected to start the season opener at Nebraska on Aug. 26. The group is led by national top-100 recruit Kelsey Hood, along with Minnesota player of the year Elena Fruci and Iowa player of the year Lindsey Schwartz. The class also features four of the top five recruits out of the state of Minnesota.
“The talent of our rookies is undeniable, but with freshmen, it’s a complete unknown,” Denney Wright said. “We know they will have an impact, but whether that comes in game number one or 15, you just don’t know.”
FORWARDS
2004 was a tough year for Minnesota forwards. Injuries and a lack of depth led to little scoring last season, but what a difference a year makes. With the addition of three talented freshmen, along with the return of senior Becky Dellaria, the coaching staff is optimistic about the prospects up front.
“Last year, we had essentially two frontrunners,” Denney Wright said. “We were forced to play our backup goalkeeper a couple of times because we were so thin. This year though, we have at least three kids who are as athletic as Becky. We’re excited to see this group play together.”
One of the fastest athletes in the Big Ten, Dellaria led the Golden Gophers in scoring last season with three goals and 12 points. After totaling just one point as a freshman, Dellaria has 28 in the past two seasons and currently ranks 12th in school history with 29 career points.
Other returnees looking for playing time up front include seniors Kaitlin Neary and Laura Hoppe. Neary returned from a 2003 injury to rank fourth on the team with three goals and seven points last season. Four of her five career goals have been game-winners. She has been used primarily in the midfield, but will also have an additional opportunity up front this season. Hoppe has seen time at both forward and defense during her career and has started all 36 matches during the past two seasons. One of the team’s key leaders, she will serve as team captain for the second straight season. Hoppe’s five career goals are second among Golden Gopher returnees.
“Despite the freshmen we brought in, you can never count out veterans,” Denney Wright said. “There wasn’t a lot of competition for playing time last season, but that will change this year and our returnees are excited about that. Becky has been a leader offensively for us, but we were impressed by how much she improved through the spring. Kaitlin and Laura have tremendous potential and their ability to lead will be very important this year.”
The coaching staff is excited about the three freshmen competing for starting jobs at forward. Along with Schwartz, Marti Klinsing and Jamie Cheever will look to make an immediate impact. In addition to being player of the year in Iowa, Schwartz was a three- year member of the Iowa Olympic Development Team, as well as multi-sport letterwinner in four different sports at Pleasant Valley High School.
A member of the Minnesota Olympic Development Program (ODP), Klinsing will give the Golden Gophers a physical presence up front. She also was one of the top goal scorers in the state last season out of Wayzata High School. By comparison, Cheever is the fastest player on the roster. She was a member of the Minnesota ODP from 2000-03. Hailing from Minneapolis, Cheever was a late signee and will also compete for the Golden Gopher track and field team.
“Lindsey can play any position on the field,” Denney Wright said. “She’s a tremendous athlete and is one of the best players in the air that I’ve ever seen. Marti is a back-to-goal player and gives us a physical dimension up front that we haven’t had at Minnesota for a number of years. Jamie’s physical ability and speed will certainly put her in the mix for a starting position.”
Providing additional depth up front will be freshmen Nikki Jensen and Kalli and Kara Elias. Jensen was a two-time all-state performer at Richfield High School, while both Kara and Kalli Elias were two-sport standouts at Byron High School.
A big loss for the Golden Gophers was an offseason injury suffered by freshman Elena Fruci. The Minnesota State Player of the Year will redshirt this season. Fruci was also a 2004 NSCAA/Adidas All-American and member of the Minnesota ODP from 2001-04.
MIDFIELDERS
Underclassmen will also play a key role in the Minnesota midfield with sophomore Megan Fightmaster, freshmen Kelsey Hood, Kaitlin Wagner and Ashley Seeler joining senior Annie Carr.
A highly-touted recruit out of Fort Collins, Colo., Fightmaster was sidelined most of her freshmen season because of an offseason injury. She returned to play sparingly in the final four games, but with a year to heal, should be a major force in the middle.
The veteran of the midfield, Carr’s 55 matches played are the most of any Golden Gopher on the roster. She has four goals and nine points and has played in every game during the last three years, drawing 44 starts.
“Megan was our best player during the spring season,” Denney Wright commented. “We knew she was talented coming in last year, but after the injury, I think she’s mentally tougher with all she’s been through. Even with the freshmen vying for playing time, veterans like Annie usually perform well because they know how to compete at this level.”
One of the biggest recruits in the school’s history, Hood brings credentials not seen in Gold Country since Alison Rackley and Jennifer McElmury roamed the pitch. A national top-100 recruit, Hood was a member of the Region II team from 2000-04, as well as a multiple ESP National Camp participant.
Another highly-touted recruit, Wagner is in line for a starting position in the midfield heading into the season opener. An all-state performer at Wayzata High School, Wagner was a three-year member of the Minnesota ODP, as well as the state’s premier club team, St. Croix Elite.
Also pushing for playing time, Seeler was ranked as one of the top five recruits by the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association after a stellar career at Eden Prairie High School. Also a member of St. Croix Elite, she was a member of the Minnesota ODP from 2000-04.
“We struggled in the midfield last season,” Denney Wright said. “There’s no denying it. Along with Megan and Annie, adding three freshmen with this much talent is very exciting. We haven’t had a player with Kelsey’s ability here in a long time. Kaitlin was probably the best player in the state of Minnesota a year ago from a technical standpoint. Ashley has already shown us glimpses of immense talent.”
DEFENDERS
Minnesota’s defense will have a veteran presence after being decimated a year ago with injuries. The Golden Gophers lost three starters to injury and were forced to start three true freshmen. This season, Minnesota will benefit from that experience.
A pair of seniors return to anchor the back. Seniors Tierney Palmer-Klein and Nicki Burnie bring a wealth of experience. A two-year captain, Palmer-Klein played every minute of the first seven matches a year ago, but then was sidelined for the remainder of the year because of injury. Burnie was also a starter who was hit by injury, which severely limited her over the final month of the season.
“Before she was injured last year, Tierney was our best player,” Denney Wright said. “Having her back healthy will not only help our defense, but provide a great deal of leadership on and off the field. Nicki has played a lot of soccer here and she’s one of our toughest players. Laura Hoppe is also an experienced defender who will be counted on.”
Despite having three veterans on defense, the leader in back will likely be sophomore Hailey McCarthy. After the injuries beset the team last year, it was McCarthy who stepped up and led the vastly improved Golden Gopher defense. She was one of just three players to start all 18 matches.
Another sophomore who was asked to step up last year as a freshman was Allison Kempainen. She made 12 starts as a rookie, including the final 10 matches of the year. She registered one assist in 2004.
“Hailey is a born leader,” Denney Wright stated. “She’s very vocal on the field and we need that. She’s very coachable and we’ve worked a lot with her because she will be our commander in back. Like Hailey, Allison was able to get a lot of experience last season which will benefit her this year.”
One rookie who is expected to break into the starting lineup on defense is highly-touted recruit Clare Grimwood. Able to play the left side, Grimwood was also one of the top recruits out of Minnesota. A two-time all-state selection at Eagan High School, Grimwood was a member of the Minnesota ODP for four years.
Three more freshmen looking to make an impact on defense include Carlie Edwards, Elise Bjerkenas and Sara Hegre. Edwards was a three-year member of the Minnesota ODP and a two-time all-state selection at Simley High School. Bjerkenas was an all-state performer out of Wayzata High School, while Hegre was a standout at Hopkins High School who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued senior season.
“Clare will help us tremendously with her talent and her ability on the left side,” Denney Wright said. “She’s coming back from injury, but she’s smart and great on the ball. We are hoping to develop Elise as a future center back in our program. Sara is a very good one- on-one defender and we expect her to compete for playing time as an outside back.”
GOALKEEPERS
Despite a freshman class of 14, Minnesota will have two returnees minding the net this season in senior Molly Schneider and redshirt freshman Lindsey Dare. Schneider did it all for the Golden Gophers in 2004 after transferring from Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She played every minute of every match as the Golden Gophers cut their goals-against-average from a miserable 2.38 in 2003 to 1.43 last season. Her five shutouts were the most by a Golden Gopher goalkeeper since 2000.
While listed as the starter entering the season, Schneider will be pushed by Dare, a gifted athlete who sat out last season due to injury. One of the best all-around athletes on the team and in the entire Golden Gopher athletic department for that matter, Dare was an NSCAA/Adidas All-Midwest selection as a senior at Apple Valley High School. She is 100 percent healthy entering fall camp.
“Molly did everything we could have asked from her last year,” Denney Wright said. “She performed even better in the spring and is our clear leader in goal. Lindsey will get her chance, there is no question about that. We’ll see how the competition plays out. Our staff believes that you pick a starter and you go with that person.”
SCHEDULE
Minnesota has an interesting and possibly advantageous twist to its schedule in 2005. The Golden Gophers will have seven-time defending Big Ten Champions Penn State as their travel partner. Opposing Big Ten schools will play in either Minneapolis or University Park, Pa., on Friday night and then spend Saturday traveling to the other site for Sunday’s match.
“It’s something that will only happen this year, but it’s definitely an advantage.” Denney Wright said. “Traveling and winning games in the Big Ten is extremely tough.”
The Golden Gophers will be tested once again this season against a difficult Big Ten slate. The goal is clear in 2005. Minnesota is looking for its first trip to the Big Ten Tournament since 2000 and to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999.
Minnesota opens the campaign with a stern road test at No. 13 Nebraska on Aug. 26. The Golden Gophers open the season with their first five games and seven of their first eight on the road.
The Golden Gophers open the Big Ten slate at home against Purdue and Indiana on Sept. 23-25. Minnesota will also host Iowa and Illinois on Oct. 7-9, in addition to Ohio State on Oct. 16 and Penn State in the regular season finale on Oct. 28.
Minnesota will travel to face Wisconsin and Northwestern on Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and Michigan State and Michigan on Oct. 21-23. The Big Ten Tournament will be held from Nov. 3-6 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“We’re not just focused on the Big Ten Tournament, but we want to reach the national tournament,” Denney Wright said. “That’s always the goal. It’s important for a team this young to believe they can win. We know it’s going to happen with the talent we brought in.” It’s not a question of “if”, but a matter of “when”. The Golden Gopher soccer team took its first step toward a return to Big Ten prominence in 2004. They look to continue the journey in 2005 under second-year head coach Mikki Denney Wright.
A year after collecting the program’s most wins since 2000 and signing arguably the top recruiting class in the history of the program, Minnesota will feature a more talented, deeper and athletic squad this season.
The Golden Gophers will be a young squad, with just seven upperclassmen, all seniors, on the roster. Minnesota will rely on the experience of the seniors who have seen it all during their careers, except a trip to the postseason.
“Our seniors are extremely tough,” Denney Wright said. “They’ve been so loyal to this program and now they’re determined to leave behind a legacy. We’ve really empowered them this offseason to become the leaders of this team and they’ve accepted that challenge.”
The leadership will be key with 19 underclassmen, including a freshman class of 14. The talented rookies will be counted on immediately with as many as six projected to start the season opener at Nebraska on Aug. 26. The group is led by national top-100 recruit Kelsey Hood, along with Minnesota player of the year Elena Fruci and Iowa player of the year Lindsey Schwartz. The class also features four of the top five recruits out of the state of Minnesota.
“The talent of our rookies is undeniable, but with freshmen, it’s a complete unknown,” Denney Wright said. “We know they will have an impact, but whether that comes in game number one or 15, you just don’t know.”
FORWARDS
2004 was a tough year for Minnesota forwards. Injuries and a lack of depth led to little scoring last season, but what a difference a year makes. With the addition of three talented freshmen, along with the return of senior Becky Dellaria, the coaching staff is optimistic about the prospects up front.
“Last year, we had essentially two frontrunners,” Denney Wright said. “We were forced to play our backup goalkeeper a couple of times because we were so thin. This year though, we have at least three kids who are as athletic as Becky. We’re excited to see this group play together.”
One of the fastest athletes in the Big Ten, Dellaria led the Golden Gophers in scoring last season with three goals and 12 points. After totaling just one point as a freshman, Dellaria has 28 in the past two seasons and currently ranks 12th in school history with 29 career points.
Other returnees looking for playing time up front include seniors Kaitlin Neary and Laura Hoppe. Neary returned from a 2003 injury to rank fourth on the team with three goals and seven points last season. Four of her five career goals have been game-winners. She has been used primarily in the midfield, but will also have an additional opportunity up front this season. Hoppe has seen time at both forward and defense during her career and has started all 36 matches during the past two seasons. One of the team’s key leaders, she will serve as team captain for the second straight season. Hoppe’s five career goals are second among Golden Gopher returnees.
“Despite the freshmen we brought in, you can never count out veterans,” Denney Wright said. “There wasn’t a lot of competition for playing time last season, but that will change this year and our returnees are excited about that. Becky has been a leader offensively for us, but we were impressed by how much she improved through the spring. Kaitlin and Laura have tremendous potential and their ability to lead will be very important this year.”
The coaching staff is excited about the three freshmen competing for starting jobs at forward. Along with Schwartz, Marti Klinsing and Jamie Cheever will look to make an immediate impact. In addition to being player of the year in Iowa, Schwartz was a three- year member of the Iowa Olympic Development Team, as well as multi-sport letterwinner in four different sports at Pleasant Valley High School.
A member of the Minnesota Olympic Development Program (ODP), Klinsing will give the Golden Gophers a physical presence up front. She also was one of the top goal scorers in the state last season out of Wayzata High School. By comparison, Cheever is the fastest player on the roster. She was a member of the Minnesota ODP from 2000-03. Hailing from Minneapolis, Cheever was a late signee and will also compete for the Golden Gopher track and field team.
“Lindsey can play any position on the field,” Denney Wright said. “She’s a tremendous athlete and is one of the best players in the air that I’ve ever seen. Marti is a back-to-goal player and gives us a physical dimension up front that we haven’t had at Minnesota for a number of years. Jamie’s physical ability and speed will certainly put her in the mix for a starting position.”
Providing additional depth up front will be freshmen Nikki Jensen and Kalli and Kara Elias. Jensen was a two-time all-state performer at Richfield High School, while both Kara and Kalli Elias were two-sport standouts at Byron High School.
A big loss for the Golden Gophers was an offseason injury suffered by freshman Elena Fruci. The Minnesota State Player of the Year will redshirt this season. Fruci was also a 2004 NSCAA/Adidas All-American and member of the Minnesota ODP from 2001-04.
MIDFIELDERS
Underclassmen will also play a key role in the Minnesota midfield with sophomore Megan Fightmaster, freshmen Kelsey Hood, Kaitlin Wagner and Ashley Seeler joining senior Annie Carr.
A highly-touted recruit out of Fort Collins, Colo., Fightmaster was sidelined most of her freshmen season because of an offseason injury. She returned to play sparingly in the final four games, but with a year to heal, should be a major force in the middle.
The veteran of the midfield, Carr’s 55 matches played are the most of any Golden Gopher on the roster. She has four goals and nine points and has played in every game during the last three years, drawing 44 starts.
“Megan was our best player during the spring season,” Denney Wright commented. “We knew she was talented coming in last year, but after the injury, I think she’s mentally tougher with all she’s been through. Even with the freshmen vying for playing time, veterans like Annie usually perform well because they know how to compete at this level.”
One of the biggest recruits in the school’s history, Hood brings credentials not seen in Gold Country since Alison Rackley and Jennifer McElmury roamed the pitch. A national top-100 recruit, Hood was a member of the Region II team from 2000-04, as well as a multiple ESP National Camp participant.
Another highly-touted recruit, Wagner is in line for a starting position in the midfield heading into the season opener. An all-state performer at Wayzata High School, Wagner was a three-year member of the Minnesota ODP, as well as the state’s premier club team, St. Croix Elite.
Also pushing for playing time, Seeler was ranked as one of the top five recruits by the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association after a stellar career at Eden Prairie High School. Also a member of St. Croix Elite, she was a member of the Minnesota ODP from 2000-04.
“We struggled in the midfield last season,” Denney Wright said. “There’s no denying it. Along with Megan and Annie, adding three freshmen with this much talent is very exciting. We haven’t had a player with Kelsey’s ability here in a long time. Kaitlin was probably the best player in the state of Minnesota a year ago from a technical standpoint. Ashley has already shown us glimpses of immense talent.”
DEFENDERS
Minnesota’s defense will have a veteran presence after being decimated a year ago with injuries. The Golden Gophers lost three starters to injury and were forced to start three true freshmen. This season, Minnesota will benefit from that experience.
A pair of seniors return to anchor the back. Seniors Tierney Palmer-Klein and Nicki Burnie bring a wealth of experience. A two-year captain, Palmer-Klein played every minute of the first seven matches a year ago, but then was sidelined for the remainder of the year because of injury. Burnie was also a starter who was hit by injury, which severely limited her over the final month of the season.
“Before she was injured last year, Tierney was our best player,” Denney Wright said. “Having her back healthy will not only help our defense, but provide a great deal of leadership on and off the field. Nicki has played a lot of soccer here and she’s one of our toughest players. Laura Hoppe is also an experienced defender who will be counted on.”
Despite having three veterans on defense, the leader in back will likely be sophomore Hailey McCarthy. After the injuries beset the team last year, it was McCarthy who stepped up and led the vastly improved Golden Gopher defense. She was one of just three players to start all 18 matches.
Another sophomore who was asked to step up last year as a freshman was Allison Kempainen. She made 12 starts as a rookie, including the final 10 matches of the year. She registered one assist in 2004.
“Hailey is a born leader,” Denney Wright stated. “She’s very vocal on the field and we need that. She’s very coachable and we’ve worked a lot with her because she will be our commander in back. Like Hailey, Allison was able to get a lot of experience last season which will benefit her this year.”
One rookie who is expected to break into the starting lineup on defense is highly-touted recruit Clare Grimwood. Able to play the left side, Grimwood was also one of the top recruits out of Minnesota. A two-time all-state selection at Eagan High School, Grimwood was a member of the Minnesota ODP for four years.
Three more freshmen looking to make an impact on defense include Carlie Edwards, Elise Bjerkenas and Sara Hegre. Edwards was a three-year member of the Minnesota ODP and a two-time all-state selection at Simley High School. Bjerkenas was an all-state performer out of Wayzata High School, while Hegre was a standout at Hopkins High School who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued senior season.
“Clare will help us tremendously with her talent and her ability on the left side,” Denney Wright said. “She’s coming back from injury, but she’s smart and great on the ball. We are hoping to develop Elise as a future center back in our program. Sara is a very good one- on-one defender and we expect her to compete for playing time as an outside back.”
GOALKEEPERS
Despite a freshman class of 14, Minnesota will have two returnees minding the net this season in senior Molly Schneider and redshirt freshman Lindsey Dare. Schneider did it all for the Golden Gophers in 2004 after transferring from Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She played every minute of every match as the Golden Gophers cut their goals-against-average from a miserable 2.38 in 2003 to 1.43 last season. Her five shutouts were the most by a Golden Gopher goalkeeper since 2000.
While listed as the starter entering the season, Schneider will be pushed by Dare, a gifted athlete who sat out last season due to injury. One of the best all-around athletes on the team and in the entire Golden Gopher athletic department for that matter, Dare was an NSCAA/Adidas All-Midwest selection as a senior at Apple Valley High School. She is 100 percent healthy entering fall camp.
“Molly did everything we could have asked from her last year,” Denney Wright said. “She performed even better in the spring and is our clear leader in goal. Lindsey will get her chance, there is no question about that. We’ll see how the competition plays out. Our staff believes that you pick a starter and you go with that person.”
SCHEDULE
Minnesota has an interesting and possibly advantageous twist to its schedule in 2005. The Golden Gophers will have seven-time defending Big Ten Champions Penn State as their travel partner. Opposing Big Ten schools will play in either Minneapolis or University Park, Pa., on Friday night and then spend Saturday traveling to the other site for Sunday’s match.
“It’s something that will only happen this year, but it’s definitely an advantage.” Denney Wright said. “Traveling and winning games in the Big Ten is extremely tough.”
The Golden Gophers will be tested once again this season against a difficult Big Ten slate. The goal is clear in 2005. Minnesota is looking for its first trip to the Big Ten Tournament since 2000 and to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999.
Minnesota opens the campaign with a stern road test at No. 13 Nebraska on Aug. 26. The Golden Gophers open the season with their first five games and seven of their first eight on the road.
The Golden Gophers open the Big Ten slate at home against Purdue and Indiana on Sept. 23-25. Minnesota will also host Iowa and Illinois on Oct. 7-9, in addition to Ohio State on Oct. 16 and Penn State in the regular season finale on Oct. 28.
Minnesota will travel to face Wisconsin and Northwestern on Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and Michigan State and Michigan on Oct. 21-23. The Big Ten Tournament will be held from Nov. 3-6 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“We’re not just focused on the Big Ten Tournament, but we want to reach the national tournament,” Denney Wright said. “That’s always the goal. It’s important for a team this young to believe they can win. We know it’s going to happen with the talent we brought in.”
