Women's soccer looks to compete

By Kristie Kahl

With a young, yet deep, roster, the women’s soccer team is setting high goals for the 2006 season.

“We hope for a winning record and to be in the MAAC tournament again,” said Head Coach Kevin Long. “We would also like to keep alive being one of the top four teams in the conference.”

In the previous season, the team had a record of 3-15-2, but made it to the quarterfinals in
the MAAC tournament as well.

Due to a youthful team and a few injuries, the Broncs suffered unfortunate losses last season that they would like to make up for in the upcoming months.

“The reason we did lose so many games is because we had so many young players,” Long said. “We were proven [to be] competitive though, which is shown through our statistics. It took a while to gain team cohesiveness, which slowed our team building.”

Although the team is young, they can still quote considerable differences for this season.

“We’ve shored up our defense so we’re better,” Long explained. “We offer more of a work rate that will give us more chances in a game, more shots and more goals.”

Young talent on the roster will gain the team experience to make improvements for their upcoming season.

“We’ll find our offensive flow so we have more shots on goal,” Long recognized. “Our defense will recognize pressure better to take away the chances our opponents can get.”

With a competitive schedule ahead, the team will look to certain players for support. Coach Long feels that both senior captains, Lauren Terzyk and Kelli Burke, will be an essential part of the team.

“How they play will definitely affect how the team plays,” Long remarked. “They have a
dynamic presence about them.”

The mixture of a young roster with the addition of a competitive edge and essential leadership should help the team achieve their high ambitions.

“We have a competitive schedule challenge ahead but hopefully we will build experience against our opponents this season,” said Long.