2008 Woodie Awards
Women's soccer looks to rain on PSAC foes, make run at regionals
By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Sports
Offensively, the Rock should have no problems scoring goals. The big question coming into 2007 is on the other side of the ball, where only sophomore Alexis Chiani returns from the PSAC's second-ranked defensive unit.
"Everyone except Lexi is new back there, and she is only a sophomore," Herlihy said. "We haven't solidified our final defensive unit yet, but we have solid players who I feel can come in and step into the roles we need them to fill."
The young and inexperienced defense will be aided by one of the best goaltending tandems in the PSAC in sophomore Lauren McManus, who finished second in goals against average (1.11), and third in save percentage (83.5) and junior Jen McCormick, who led the nation in save percentage in 2005.
"We have three really great keepers, which is a good problem to have as a coach," Herlihy said. "It has been a great competition between all of them and (I), as well as the rest of the team, know that any of them can come in and get the job done when asked."
Coach Herlihy will also look to seniors Kristin Mikolajczyk, Jaimi Wilson and Megan McGrath to lead a relatively young Rock squad.
"Megan is a natural leader, and you can see that every time she steps out on the field. She is always talking and always motivating," said Herlihy. "Jaimi isn't as vocal as Megan, but she gets it done on the field day in and day out. Miko is one who works hard and just makes everyone around her work harder."
Chiani, the Rock's most experienced defender, has also begun to come into her own as a leader on defense.
"Alexis is becoming more vocal and is really becoming our defensive leader, which is going to benefit our inexperienced back-row players," Herlihy said.
With its core returning, the Rock, which was picked by the conference's coaches to finish second in the PSAC, should make a strong run at its third conference title in six years.
"Our goal is obviously to make playoffs, but we aren't content with just making it there," Herlihy said. "We believe that we are capable of winning it all, but we need to stay healthy, work hard and play together as a team. We definitely have the depth, albeit inexperienced depth, to make a serious run at this thing."
The Rock (2-0, 1-0) heads into thier match agains PSAC-East oppenent Shippensburg riding the momentum for Wednesday night's 1-0 overtime victory over California (Pa.).
Meghan McGrath scored the game winner six minutes into OT to grab her second goal of the season.
"Everyone except Lexi is new back there, and she is only a sophomore," Herlihy said. "We haven't solidified our final defensive unit yet, but we have solid players who I feel can come in and step into the roles we need them to fill."
The young and inexperienced defense will be aided by one of the best goaltending tandems in the PSAC in sophomore Lauren McManus, who finished second in goals against average (1.11), and third in save percentage (83.5) and junior Jen McCormick, who led the nation in save percentage in 2005.
"We have three really great keepers, which is a good problem to have as a coach," Herlihy said. "It has been a great competition between all of them and (I), as well as the rest of the team, know that any of them can come in and get the job done when asked."
Coach Herlihy will also look to seniors Kristin Mikolajczyk, Jaimi Wilson and Megan McGrath to lead a relatively young Rock squad.
"Megan is a natural leader, and you can see that every time she steps out on the field. She is always talking and always motivating," said Herlihy. "Jaimi isn't as vocal as Megan, but she gets it done on the field day in and day out. Miko is one who works hard and just makes everyone around her work harder."
Chiani, the Rock's most experienced defender, has also begun to come into her own as a leader on defense.
"Alexis is becoming more vocal and is really becoming our defensive leader, which is going to benefit our inexperienced back-row players," Herlihy said.
With its core returning, the Rock, which was picked by the conference's coaches to finish second in the PSAC, should make a strong run at its third conference title in six years.
"Our goal is obviously to make playoffs, but we aren't content with just making it there," Herlihy said. "We believe that we are capable of winning it all, but we need to stay healthy, work hard and play together as a team. We definitely have the depth, albeit inexperienced depth, to make a serious run at this thing."
The Rock (2-0, 1-0) heads into thier match agains PSAC-East oppenent Shippensburg riding the momentum for Wednesday night's 1-0 overtime victory over California (Pa.).
Meghan McGrath scored the game winner six minutes into OT to grab her second goal of the season.
Be the first to comment on this story