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Women's Soccer Team Eyeing CCIW Tourney
With 10 returning starters from the 2008 squad that posted an 8-7-1 overall record, the Elmhurst College women's soccer team is poised to return to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament for the first time since the 2003 season.
"Our preseason goal of qualifying for the CCIW Tournament remains the same this year," said head coach Paul Webster. "This might be the most experienced team we've had since I have been here. Our returning upperclassmen have played a ton of soccer over the past couple of years."
Webster has over 20 returning letterwinners from last season who combined to account for 90 percent of the team's total goals scored.
"We've been young and inexperienced in the past," he said. "Now we need all that playing time experience to translate into bigger and better things this season."
The Bluejays' defense is anchored by a pair of returning goalkeepers. Senior Jessica Eberle (Bloomington, Ind./North) posted a 1.74 goals against average last season before missing the final few games with an injury. In Eberle's absence at the end of the season, junior Allison Korbel (Schaumburg/H.S.) earned CCIW Defensive Player of the Week honors while posting a 3-0-1 record in the net.
"We're lucky to have two very capable goalkeepers," said Webster. "We expect both of them to battle for the starting job in the preseason. Our team is comfortable with either player starting in the net."
One area that the Bluejays will be focused on improving is the defense in front of the net.
"We need to be able to defend better individually this season," Webster said. "We gave up too many goals last season that were a result of bad one-on-one defending. We have to improve on that this season to be able to compete in the CCIW."
Senior co-captain Jessica Webster (Sarasota, Fla./H.S.) will anchor the Bluejays' defense in the middle while Cassie Giese (Batavia/H.S.) slides from center back to her more comfortable position out wide. Sophomore Stephanie Thomson (Palatine/H.S.) is also expected to play a major role in the Bluejays' defensive scheme after suffering a season-ending injury in the Bluejays' first preseason contest in 2008.
Webster expects seniors Sarah Lund (Wauwatosa, Wis./H.S.) and Angie Caputo (Decatur/Eisenhower), and sophomore Emma Bouchard (Topsham, Maine/Mount Arat) to battle for the final starting defender spot.
Senior co-captain Courtney Constantino (Strongsville, Ohio/H.S.) and junior Kelsey Caldwell (Plainfield/South) return to starting roles in the midfield after generating solid offensive numbers in 2008. Constantino netted six goals and tallied five assists to finish second on the squad in total points (17) while Caldwell also scored six times and ranked third on the team in total points (15). Sophomore Danielle Dobies (Aurora, Ohio/H.S.) will move from outside back into the midfield where her athleticism and hard work will help anchor the Bluejays defensively.
"Courtney and Kelsey are two of our most dangerous attacking players," said Webster. "They both generate numerous scoring chances but do so in very different ways which makes us more dynamic in attack."
Juniors Mary Caputo (Decatur/Eisenhower) and Erin Baschen (Downers Grove/South), and sophomore Heather DeMoss (Elk Grove/H.S.) played significant minutes in midfield last season and will be counted on again this fall. Senior Catelyn Anderson (Coral Springs, Fla./Pope John Paul) returns from injury and should see time as an attacking midfielder.
After a breakout freshman season, Webster looks for sophomore Valerie Wesley (Chula Vista, Calif./Our Lady of Peace) to lead the Bluejays up front. Wesley scored six goals with a team-leading seven assists and 19 total points during the 2008 campaign.
"Valerie is so gifted athletically and has great technical speed," said Webster. "We'll be looking for her to build on her successful freshman year and continue to be a major scoring threat for us."
Juniors Sarah Harvey (Naperville/Waubonsie Valley) and Lindsay Carlson (Wildwood, Mo./Eureka) are expected to contribute up front after starting most of last season. Harvey also reached double digits in total points last season, tallying four goals and three assists for 11 points.
Webster expects Ellyse Cudone (Charleston/H.S.) and Julia Nelson (Itasca/Lake Park) to also see plenty of time at forward this season.
Seven newcomers will compete alongside the 23 returners for an opportunity to earn playing time. "You never know what to expect from freshmen and transfers but this group has the ability to help immediately," Webster states. "With the depth and ability of the returning group along with talented newcomers I expect to see the most competitive preseason in recent years."
Elmhurst's road to the CCIW Tournament will not be easy as the Bluejays' schedule features several tough non-conference opponents in addition to the quality teams throughout the CCIW.
"We will be put to the test right away," said Webster. "Our schedule is definitely tougher than it was a year ago. There is not a team on our schedule that we can compete against without playing well."
Webster believes that a key to the Bluejays' success will be playing consistent soccer.
"Last year, we were the model of inconsistency," he said. "We could not put together a string of good performances. If we play consistently up to our ability, we will put ourselves in position to win games and build the confidence necessary to compete at this level"
The Bluejays open the 2009 season by playing at Dominican University on September 1.
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