University of Minnesota Athletics
Soccer Outlook 2009
8/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a champion?
Dreams came true for Golden Gopher soccer in 2008, with their first Big Ten title in over a decade and the program's deepest run into the NCAA Tournament. Now the task at hand for sixth year head coach Mikki Denney Wright is to, not only repeat as Big Ten champions and qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but improve on a record 22 wins and the most successful season in the 16-year history of Golden Gopher soccer. The task will not be easy, though, with the loss of eight seniors and one of the most decorated classes in Minnesota soccer history. In 2009, Minnesota's championship goals will lean heavily on the leadership of their upperclassmen, seniors Sara Clancy and Dana Tripp, as well as a very talented, experienced and deep junior class.
Changes in the coaching staff in 2009 welcome some familiar faces to the sidelines. Along with Denney Wright and assistant Jerrod Roh - who returns for his third season - new coaches include assistant Krystle Kallman and volunteer assistant Kelsey Hood. Although new to the sidelines, fans should certainly remember Kallman and Hood from their exploits on the field last season. The additions truly give Minnesota an all-star staff, led by the 2008 Big Ten Coach of the Year in Denney Wright. Following last season, Roh now holds the unique distinction of being the only coach in college soccer history - men or women - to lead two separate goalkeepers to the single season conference shutout record in two major conferences (Big Ten & SEC). Now add in Kallman, who has been part of a championship team every season from high school through college, and Hood, an All-American and last season's Big Ten Defensive MVP, and the accomplishments of the staff speak for themselves.
Defenders
As they did in 2008, the Golden Gophers will rely heavily on their defense in 2009. They must replace Krystle Kallman who made the move to the sidelines following graduation, but with two starters returning, Minnesota will be deep with experience. Led by returning All-American and All-Big Ten performer Jennie Clark (Norwalk, Iowa) and fellow junior Kylie Kallman (Woodbury, Minn.), the vaunted Minnesota backline will be tasked with replicating the impressive numbers from a season ago. The pair was integral in Minnesota's Big Ten shutout record (17) last season, as well as league best marks in goals allowed (12) and goals against average (0.45).
Individually Clark (right) had a breakout season in her sophomore campaign, scoring a pair of goals on offense in addition to her prowess on the defensive end. "The leader in the back three and the organizer in the back," said Denney Wright, "she can dictate the opposition with her tremendous pace and athleticism."
A one-on-one defender who is as good as they come and who is equally as skilled in the air, Clark will be at the forefront of the Golden Gophers defensive success this season. With Kylie Kallman (younger sister of Krystle Kallman) joining her in the back, the Golden Gophers may have the best 1-2 defensive punch in the Big Ten. A 5-foot-10 junior who has started every match the past two seasons, Kallman will also be a dangerous weapon on set pieces. She will be asked to be another important leader for the Golden Gophers and build on her 2009 campaign where she earned Second Team Academic All-District honors from ESPN and CoSIDA. In addition to the spot on defense, Kallman may be asked to contribute as a defensive midfielder as a junior, where she will use her immense soccer intelligence and defensive presence to dictate the opponent.
"She is a combative and courageous competitor who lays the wood on defense," said Denney Wright of Kallman. "She is versatile enough to play in the back or as a defensive mid, is the best one-on-one defender on the team, and clearly one of the best defenders in the Big Ten."
Looking to fill the void in the open outside back spot will be sophomore Josie Solie (Mahtomedi, Minn.), who appeared in 20 matches as a freshman last season. Among those 20 matches included valuable experience in both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments, which Solie can use to become the player the coaches expect. "We look for her to use her strong one-on-one defensive skills and great ball winning ability to provide another presence in the back, as she becomes an important part of the renowned Minnesota back three," said Denney Wright.
Joining the three returners, the final piece of the defensive puzzle will be freshman Jes Vork (Cloquet, Minn.), who joins the Golden Gophers after an extremely successful career at Cloquet High School. "She's a tremendous athlete and a great competitor," said Denney Wright, "she will be another hard working member of our defense."
Goalkeepers
Quite possibly the biggest hole to fill this season will be the one left by All-Big Ten and All-Region netminder Lindsey Dare. A senior last season, Dare took with her the Big Ten's best marks for save percentage (.859) and goals against average (0.45), as well as her league record 17 shutouts. However, Cat Parkhill (Apple Valley, Minn.) comes off a redshirt season ready to take charge between the pipes for the Golden Gophers. "She is one of the top goalkeepers in the county and an incredibly skilled player," said Denney Wright. "She has incredible athleticism, excellent hands and is very quick, but what makes her special is her brilliant soccer mind."
Despite her youth, Parkhill will bring valuable experience the Gopher nets this season. As a redshirt last year, she became the first Golden Gopher ever to be member of the U-20 National Team, where she won the gold medal at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile last December.
Returning and backing-up Parkhill will be sophomore Katie Roberts (Apple Valley, Minn.). Roberts served as the top backup to Dare last season and in doing so returns in 2009 with improved ball-handling skills, greater knowledge and an overall improvement to her game.
Midfielders
As maybe the most experienced group on the field, the Golden Gopher midfield will be in good hands in 2009. Molly Rouse (Cambridge, Minn.) was a starter in every match last season while Katie Bethke (Eau Claire, Wis.) started 21 matches while appearing in 23. Rouse has been in the line-up in every match she has played in her career, and Bethke has appeared in 42 matches the last two seasons. Add in Shari Eckstrom (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Angie Olson (Eagan, Minn.) who saw time in 21 and 17 matches respectively - including the postseason - and you have four returners with a multitude of experience.
At the head of the class, Rouse (right) will lead the group off her record setting sophomore campaign. With seven assists, Rouse set the Minnesota sophomore record for helpers in a season, while also tying for the team lead. In addition to her assist total she knocked in four goals, with the last coming as the game winner against South Dakota State in the NCAA tournament. "She may be the best flank player in the Big Ten," said Denney Wright. "An absolutely fierce competitor and a penetrating genius by the way she slices through the defense. With an eye for the goal and the ability to create her own opportunity, we expect big things from her this fall."
Another member of the deep junior class, Bethke has 30 career points and 40 career starts to her credit. The Golden Gophers were 4-0 when Bethke scored last season and 5-0 when she tallied a point. Now as an upperclassman, the goal scoring ability she displayed in her first two seasons will be called upon even more to lead the Golden Gophers. "She's a very astute goal scorer and the central playmaker for the team," said Denney Wright. "She is very calm and composed with the ball, making her an excellent possession player."
Olson is yet another member of this year's junior class and is coming off a career season as a sophomore. After starting in three matches last year, she will challenge for a starting roll out wide in the flank this season. The improvements she made in the offseason coupled with the tremendous engine she brings to every match leave the coaching staff excited for her third season. "She is a very explosive player," said Denney Wright, "and has the ability to beat her opponents with not only her great athleticism, but also the high pace with which she plays the game."
After a stellar freshman campaign, that began with a goal in the season opener and saw her add another goal against Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament Championship match, big things are expected from Eckstrom in 2009. The gifted center-mid playmaker is a "set piece artist" as described by her coach, making her the primary handler of the Golden Gophers free kicks in her sophomore season. More than that, though, she will be asked to call upon her gift for scoring and gift for finishing that became evident in her freshman year.
Newcomers Olivia Bagnall (Lakeville, Minn.), Allie Phillips (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) and Marissa Price (Apple Valley, Minn.) will try to fill the void left from the departure of Claire Grimwood, Kelsey Hood and Kaitlin Wagner. Bagnall is a versatile player who will see time in the middle as a defensive midfielder, but could also appear in the back three. A fierce competitor who is known for her competitive mentality, Denney Wright describes Bagnall as a "defensive warrior." A regional team player, Phillips could make an immediate impact in her freshman campaign. With, as her coach describes, "a great soccer mind and playmaking ability," Phillips should make a smooth transition to the college game. Finally, Price is another dangerous player that should challenge for a spot this fall. "A dynamic and fast player who is skilled one-on-one, she could develop into one of the most dangerous flank players in the Big Ten," said Denney Wright.
Forwards
Up front the Golden Gophers must replace their leading scorer from a year ago in Lindsey Schwartz, who last season scored 23 points on eight goals and seven assists. Filling the void and stepping to the forefront this season will be junior Julie Rezac (Eden Prairie, Minn.), an all-around player who split time at both midfield and forward last season. After starting 19 matches as a freshman in 2007, she started in 22 last year which included all six matches in the postseason. Rezac doubled her point total from her freshman year, and her last goal provided the game-winner in the NCAA tournament opener against Marquette. Her flexibility will be key again this season, as Rezac could play in the back as well as outside mid, utilizing her skills as both a defender and attacker. "She's a very complete player with great mobility and technical skill," said Denney Wright, "we'll utilize her versatility, but expect her to take on more of an attacking role this season."
Denney Wright then shifted to her two seniors, Sara Clancy (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Dana Tripp (White Bear Lake, Minn), who will provide experience and depth up top this fall. Clancy, whom she calls "Ice" for her composure under pressure, has played in 54 career matches and the experience gained will be valuable for the Golden Gophers. A multitalented player with great field vision and technical ability, she could see time at midfield as well as up top in her senior campaign.
Clancy's fellow senior, Tripp, will make the move from the defensive end to offense as a senior. She is a versatile athlete who has played many spots, and her adaptable nature will be called upon again. Tripp's physical and hardworking nature is another asset to the Minnesota frontline.
After a rookie-of-the-year freshman campaign which saw her finish with 13 points (5G/3A) - including a Minnesota freshman record, five game-winning goals - Tamara Strahota (Burnsville, Minn.) looks to pick up where she left off last season. Already one of the most important pieces of the Golden Gopher attack, Strahota could become one of the best players in the Big Ten as a sophomore. "She may be our most dangerous player, she is so exciting and explosive, like a bull in a china shop," noted Denney Wright.
Yet another veteran on the front line for the Golden Gophers will be Katie Shelander (Roseville, Minn.) who enters her junior campaign with 31 career appearances. Shelander appeared in 16 matches last season, including experience in the postseason. A high press forward, "she is always looking to take the ball to the goal," said Denney Wright, "and will bring an attacking mindset to the offense this season."
The lone freshman up front this season will be Steph Brandt (Rochester, Minn.), a gifted athlete who was named Ms. Soccer in Minnesota as a senior in 2008. A two-time All-State performer, the gifted athlete could make an early impact in her first season. "She is very mobile and dangerous and just a natural goal scorer, she should be very competitive up top in her first season," noted Denney Wright.
Schedule
Due to a move-up in the start date by the NCAA, this season's schedule will begin earlier than any other season in Golden Gopher soccer history. When the schedule begins it will include among it's 20 contests, eight matches against teams that played in last season's NCAA Tournament. There will be no easing into the schedule either, as the Golden Gophers play five 2008 NCAA Tournament teams in their first seven matches.
On Aug. 21, Minnesota hosts South Dakota State at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium at 6:00 p.m. The season opener for both teams, it will be a rematch of last season's second round NCAA tournament match that the Golden Gophers won 2-0, ending the Jackrabbits season.
From there, Minnesota heads south to take on Georgia and Kennesaw State on Aug. 28 and 30 respectively, in what will be the Golden Gophers initial meeting with both schools. Both the Bulldogs and Owls placed second in their respective conferences last season, and Georgia was a tournament team. Minnesota returns home on Sept. 4 to host Tennessee, followed by North Dakota State on Sept. 6. Tennessee also made the NCAA tournament last season, falling in the first round. On Sept. 11 and 13 Minnesota heads to Milwaukee for a pair of matches with UW-Milwaukee and Marquette, in what may be the toughest road stretch of the season. Each team was in the NCAA Tournament a year ago, with Marquette falling to Minnesota in the first round.
Montana, Nevada and North Dakota visit the Twin Cities Sept. 18 & 20 for the Minnesota Gold Classic, with Minnesota taking on Nevada and Montana respectively. From there, it is another grueling season of Big Ten play, which the Golden Gophers begin at home with a Sept. 24 date against Iowa. Minnesota has lost just once to their neighbors to the south in the last six meetings, which includes a 1-0 Golden Gopher win last season.
The first road action in the conference happens on Sept. 27 when Minnesota travels to fellow Sweet Sixteen team Illinois, whom Minnesota beat 1-0 last season. On Oct. 1, Minnesota travels to take on Wisconsin, as the Golden Gophers try to extend their current two-match winning streak against the Badgers. A nonconference home date with the University of South Dakota on Oct. 4 breaks up the conference season, but on Oct. 11 Minnesota jumps right back into Big Ten play when they travel to Purdue. The Golden Gophers ended the Boilermakers run last year with a 1-0 victory in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, finishing 2-0 against them for the season.
Then on Oct. 16, Minnesota returns home for what may be the marquee match of the season. With revenge on their mind and the home field advantage, they host their Big Ten co-champion, Penn State. The Nittany Lions posted an identical 8-2-0 league record last year and got the better of the Golden Gophers, 2-0 in a match played in State College, Pa. Penn State won the Big Ten Tournament last season, earning a bid into the NCAA Tournament, but they were dumped in the first round. Following Penn State, Minnesota remains at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium to host Ohio State on Oct. 18. The Golden Gophers downed the Buckeyes 2-0 last season in Columbus, Ohio.
Minnesota then heads east for a weekend road trip where they take on Michigan on Oct. 23, and Michigan State on Oct. 25. The Golden Gophers will look for revenge against the Spartans as they gave Minnesota one of their two Big Ten losses last season. Michigan State is the final team on the schedule that played in the NCAA Tournament last season. Minnesota then ends the regular with a two match homestand, hosting Northwestern on Oct. 30 and Indiana on Nov. 6 in the regular season finale. The Golden Gophers have won three straight against the Wildcats, while their win last season against the Hoosiers snapped a two-match losing streak to Indiana.
There will be no Big Ten Tournament this season, so the regular season jumps right into the NCAA tournament with the first and second rounds held Nov. 13-15. The Sweet Sixteen round is the following weekend with matches played Nov. 20-22 while the Elite Eight round will be held Nov. 27-29. Finally the NCAA College Cup wraps up the season Dec. 4-6.
Defending one title, while running to another, are just some of the storylines to watch in 2009 as Minnesota Golden Gopher soccer continues on their quest of Building Champions.
