2011 Preview: Bulldog Women’s Soccer Strives to Keep the Good Times Rolling
The University of Redlands women's soccer program enjoyed a season for the ages last year as it advanced all the way to the third round of the NCAA Championships for the first time in team history. Behind the leadership and guidance of Head Coach Suzette Soboti, who enters her 14th season with the Maroon and Gray, the 2011 team is determined to make a statement of its own yet continue the program's established success.
"These ladies got a taste of championship-caliber play, and they liked it," said Soboti. "We know it's going to be a difficult task to repeat what we did last season, but as long as we keep challenging each other day in and day out, we can put ourselves in a great position to win a lot of games."
With the loss of seven seniors from the 2010 club, including six key starters, the new edition of Bulldog women's soccer relies on some familiar faces to continue producing big plays, while several newcomers offer the talent to contribute to the program's momentum.
Soboti holds the belief that her returning players can fill the void left behind by such an influential 2010 senior class.
"Even though we did lose major contributors from last year, a large percentage of our returning student-athletes saw the field," she stated. "A lot of them got solid playing time, so it's not like they are completely new to our style of play. This group just needs to find its own identity."
Senior forward Fionna Connolly (Salem, OR) and senior midfielder Maddy Phillips (Seattle, WA) step in as the team's captains for the 2011 campaign. Last season, Connolly led the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) in points (27) en route to earning National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region honors. A First-Team All-Conference selection as a sophomore, Phillips led the Bulldogs with nine netters in 2009 and strives to make the most of her final campaign.
"Both Fionna and Maddy possess great leadership characteristics and truly act as role models," Soboti commented. "They are very similar in how they lead the team by demonstrating a tremendous work ethic and with their vocal presence."
Redlands opens up the 2011 campaign with a trio of non-conference matches at Farquhar Field when it takes on opponents from all over the country. The U of R first kicks off against Midwest opponent Carthage College (WI) on Sept. 2, followed by a highly-anticipated matchup against No. 6 Emory University (GA) on Sept. 5. Regional competitor Willamette University (OR) arrives in Redlands on Sept. 9, just five days prior to the first SCIAC game of the season. The Bulldogs also look forward to a Sept. 28 showdown with Chapman University, which competed in the 2010 NCAA Championships.
Redlands anticipates a challenging slate of conference opponents, with the four spots in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament serving as incredible motivation, as the Maroon and Gray benefitted from last year. The tournament determines the conference's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships and takes place on Nov. 3 and Nov. 5. Based on the Bulldogs' experience, this is an exciting time in the schedule when simply anything can happen.
Connolly headlines the Bulldogs' attacking strikers, with seniors Kaily Benenati (Denver, CO) and Jaimie Morton (Boise, ID), along with junior Samantha Rivera (Thousand Oaks, CA), also earning the majority of the starts. Benenati and Morton have seen plenty of action during their time with the Maroon and Gray, combining for more than 100 games of competition. Count on them to build upon their experience as they embrace their new starting roles. Rivera, a 2010 Track & Field All-America sprinter, works to put her speed and determination to good use while serving as a viable scorer.
Off the bench, sophomore Kinslee Isaman (Lake Stevens, WA) and rookie Sierra Duarte (Portland, OR) strive to make the most of opportunities, providing new energy to the front line. Isaman looks to build off of last season's promising flashes during the team's exciting run, while Duarte continues to impress with her ability to read opposing defenses.
Juniors Gabi Juliano (Brookfield, CT) and Blythe Lasher (Sacramento, CA), along with freshmen Kristen Arroyo (San Diego, CA) and Hali Covey (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), add solid depth and speed to the UR forwards.
Previous All-SCIAC honorees, Phillips and junior Meghan King (Portland, OR), together with junior Kendall Pegan (Lafayette, CA), serve as the rock of the Bulldog midfield. This veteran group has collectively tallied nearly 100 starts, in addition to contributing to 23 victories. Expect them to find ways to settle the team while creating chances on the counterattack.
Look for junior Rheana Bales (Issaquah, WA) to bounce back after being plagued by injuries in 2010. She and fellow Washingtonian sophomore Nicole Fox (Cheney, WA) sit poised to earn an ample amount of playing time in the upcoming season.
Freshman Devin Wright (Upland, CA), who brings a knack for corner and free kicks, vies for valuable opportunities in her first season, while freshmen Kate Van Vuren (Seattle, WA) and Casey Foster (Riverside, CA) work to develop their collegiate game throughout 2011.
The Bulldogs' defensive third boasts a different look from years past due to the graduation of 75% of last season's starters. Senior Emily van den Bosch (Arcadia, CA) and junior Maddy Cartwright (Salt Lake City, UT) team up with sophomore Megan Marks (Boise, ID), a transfer from Gonzaga University (WA), and sophomore Amanda Plagge (Boise, ID) as the team's primary defensive stoppers.
Newcomer freshman Amy Pumputis (Redmond, WA) strives to open eyes with her efficiency and speed in the Redlands backfield. Junior center-mid Ellie Harrington (Seattle, WA) also brings an excellent option for a reliable presence.
In addition, sophomores Francy Grater (Bend, OR) and Leah Mansfield (Glenwood Springs, CO) offer valuable roles as reserve Bulldogs.
Soboti looks to the combination of junior Linzey Smith (Anaheim Hills, CA) and sophomore transfer Sabrina Grandke-Bawab (Kirkland, WA) as a formidable option in the team's last line of defense. Splitting time last year, Smith recorded several impressive numbers between the pipes, recording multiple victories, 36 saves and two shutouts. Freshman Lucy Miller (Portland, OR) isn't too far behind this duo and looks to push her teammates for game time.
With a talented squad, challenging schedule and successful leadership, Redlands vies to gain a berth into the NCAA Championships for the third time in four years. With Soboti at the helm, the Bulldogs strive to continue last season's historical run with another exciting showing among the conference and beyond.
