North Carolina State University Athletics
Women's Soccer Takes to the Field
8/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 13, 2004
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State opens its 2004 slate this weekend with a scheduled exhibition match at UNC Greensboro, a NCAA Tournament invitee last season. The match is supposed to take place on Saturday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m., however if the weather is not suitable due to hurricane Charley, the two teams may move the game to Sunday. With a returning core of 17 players, the expectations for the 2004 NC State women's soccer team are much higher than in 2003 when the team had 13 freshmen. The players have adopted the following motto to define their attitude in getting it done this season: "Pain is Just Weakness Leaving the Body." With such an unforgiving pursuit laid out ahead of them, seventh-year head coach Laura Kerrigan is putting this team to the test. "Our players decided on that phrase to represent them this season," said Kerrigan. "That means they are ready and willing to do what it takes to get this team prepared for the challenges that lie before us." With senior captains Erin Griswold and Katherine Warman and sophomore Michelle Crocker taking the leadership roles, it isn't surprising that the quote was selected. After all, Griswold is one of the Atlantic Coast Conference's leading scorers up front and Warman has been touted as one of the strongest outside midfielders in the league. Prior to being sidelined by an unfortunate ACL injury last season, Warman garnered All-ACC honors as well as All-ACC Freshmen. Crocker was the team's MVP last season and is a relentless defender with the strength to back up her tenacious and aggressive style of play. The center back is no stranger to pain herself after suffering an ACL injury last fall, as well. All three players have the optimism, strength and fortitude to push the rest of the team to success this season. "Kat, Erin and Michelle are all extremely well respected by their teammates and coaches, alike," said Kerrigan. "I feel very confident in their leadership ability. They will take responsibility for this team throughout the season." "Last spring was huge for our development," said Kerrigan. "We had the time to really develop our freshman, and with 13 of them, that makes a big difference on the field. It is always tough when your fall season begins a mere two weeks after the start of pre-season. The spring really gave us a chance to get these players some individual attention in training and start to fine-tune their technical and tactical development." In addition to the extra field time, several players were moved around to different positions, which in turn benefited the Wolfpack's depth on the roster for 2004. For example, junior Lydia McBath, who played mostly at the forward spot last season, saw time as an outside midfielder and sophomore Karla Hutton stepped in at the outside mid position during spring, a move from the outside back slot she played as a freshman. Nicole Mayo and Christina Mann showed remarkable prowess at the outside backs throughout the spring season and proved very difficult to beat. The five newcomers, freshmen Alex Caram, Jessica O'Rourke, Aria Tanzi, Vanessa Wellman and Allie Wilkerson will get two games in with the rest of their new team during the Pack's exhibition games in mid August. NC State will travel to UNC- Greensboro, which advanced to last year's NCAA second round, and then host Virginia Commonwealth before getting the non-conference slate underway. The 2004 schedule features a blend of in-state competition, along with some out-of-region schools. The Wolfpack will play 11 matches at home, including seven at Cary's SAS Soccer Park, just four miles from campus, and home of the 2003 and 2004 Women's College Cups. The season begins with two games on the road, Campbell and Coastal Carolina, to end the month of August. NC State will then host Howard and Iowa State at SAS's professional-grade stadium, before an in-state match at Elon. And once again, the Pack will host the Summit Hospitality Invitational, set for September 10th and 12th at the Method Road Stadium on the NC State campus. NC State will face Fairfield first and then kick off against Youngstown State on the final day of the tournament. UNC Wilmington is also participating in the invitational. Two ACC teams, newly installed University of Miami and Clemson, will be mixed with two non-conference games against Butler and 2003 NCAA first round High Point, before the squad gets started with the nation's top conference schedule, which includes the likes of 2003 National Champion North Carolina and NCAA participants Maryland, Duke, Florida State, Wake Forest and Virginia, along with ACC newcomer Virginia Tech. And once again NC State will co-host both the ACC Championship and the 2004 College Cup at SAS Stadium. "Having 11 of our 18 games played at home is a definite plus for us," stated Kerrigan. "And with seven of those out at the professional SAS Soccer Stadium, we will call that home for the majority of our season. We've played some great games there over the last two seasons, and are looking forward to playing there again." THE BACK LINE With captain Michelle Crocker anchoring the Wolfpack defense, NC State is in good hands. In addition, the Pack welcomes back one of the ACC's leaders in assists in sophomore Megan Buescher, along with sophomores Nicole Mayo, Christina Mann, Karla Hutton, Katherine Spencer and Megan Sadler, and freshman Jessica O'Rourke. Buescher led the Pack with eight assists last season, despite having to sit out three games with a shoulder injury. Spencer and Sadler will also vie for a starting spot in the central back. Mayo and Mann will both see plenty of action at the outside back positions after a tremendous spring season. Hutton may see considerable time at outside mid as she moved to that position after playing mostly as an outside back last year. "Nicole and Christina both showed tremendous development over the course of the spring. We are excited to see them out there for us this fall." said Kerrigan. "Karla will give us a boost at the outside midfield position as well as outside back with her quickness." Spencer made a name for herself as a center back during the spring and made considerable strides throughout her first season. Sadler had an injury-plagued freshman campaign, but looks to bounce back at full strength this fall. The Pack will welcome her ball distribution skills and long serves this year. The lone freshman of the group, O'Rourke, was a three-time All-Olympic Conference selection and was voted to the NSCAA High School All-Region team as a senior. In addition to making a run as defender, she may also see time in the midfield, bringing her athleticism and finishing ability to the table. THE MIDLINE NC State brings back the talents of sophomore Mandela Schumacher-Hodge as a starting center midfielder. She tallied two goals and two assists for the Pack last season. Sophomore Carol Tognetti, who started six matches but played in all 19 matches, returns as well next to Schumacher-Hodge. Tognetti led all freshmen with four goals in 2003 Sophomore Amy Graul, who was a reserve last season, will challenge for time at center mid as well. She had one assist in her first season. Freshmen Alex Caram and Vanessa Wellman will also challenge to see time in the center. Caram has been a member of the Massachusetts ODP team for four years, while Wellman garnered the MVP honor for her league and for the county in Redlands, Calif. "Mandela and Togs really stepped up for us last season," commented Kerrigan. "They are both relentless in creating scoring opportunities for our forwards and are very physical. I am looking forward to seeing Amy out there. She showed considerable improvement during the course of the spring." All-ACC player Katherine Warman highlights the group of outside mids. The three-year starter, has dominated the position for her entire career at NC State. She has anchored the midfield her previous three seasons and will do so once again this year. Warman has eight goals and 10 assists to her name heading into her final year. Also, junior Lydia McBath will be looked upon to lend her fast feet and technical one v. one skills to the outside mid, as well as forward positions. As mentioned earlier, Karla Hutton will play at both outside mid and in the back. And Kerrigan noted that freshmen Aria Tanzi, Wellman, and O'Rourke may get some playing time on the outside as well. Tanzi is a quick, technical player who will be looked upon immediately to make a difference in the Wolfpack offense. "Kat is the first player I mention when I talk about our outside midfielders," said Kerrigan. "She has dominated that position for so long. And Lydia has done so well for us at the forward spot. She is extremely fast and creates a lot of scoring chances." THE FRONT LINE The Pack returns a strong core of forwards, whose touches led to a combined 14 goals in 2003. Griswold will once again lead this group of experienced strikers after tallying a team-best 26 points, including 10 goals and six assists. Joining her will be senior Anna Helenius. The Finland native spent most of her minutes at midfield last season, but moved to the front towards the end of the season and into the spring. Helenius is best known for her extensive tactical knowledge and ball distribution skills. McBath, who creates nightmares for the opposing defenders with her 1 v. 1 skills, will see some time out in front as well. Freshmen Allie Wilkerson, Tanzi and Wellman will also be called upon to step in. Wilkerson is primarily a striker and has an innate ability to beat defenders one v. one. She has played numerous seasons with the ODP Region I team. "Gris looks to create scoring opportunities for herself as well as the others," stated Kerrigan. "She is a tremendous finisher with a strong will to get the ball towards the net. Anna combines so well with the midfielders and sees scoring opportunities like no other. Lydia will definitely be dangerous as a forward or midfielders, getting in there and striking with such force." GOALKEEPERS NC State returns three goalkeepers, including two starters and one that will also see time at midfield. Junior Kim Selz and sophomore Megan Connors combined for 78 saves and allowed just 37 goals while splitting time in the net last season. Both will again make a run for the starting position this year as each brings her own style and strengths to the table. "Kim and Megan allowed us to be versatile in who we put in the net last season," noted Kerrigan. "Depending on who we were playing on that day, we knew one of them would challenge the opposing attack." Junior Lauren Georges has decided to work on her skills on the field as a midfielder, while still working as a reserve goalkeeper for the Pack. "Georgie is challenging herself with moving to a field position, while still putting in the time as a keeper," said Kerrigan. "Her hard work displays her dedication to this program." One of the words used to describe the book "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, is metamorphosis, and that is exactly what this team has experienced since the beginning of the 2003 season. The 12 sophomores have put in the time to improve and hone their skills and the upperclassmen are ready to take on some new roles as the fall rolls around. The five incoming freshmen are about to begin their own transformation under the watchful eye of the three captains and the NC State coaching staff. The success of this team relies on it's "blue collar" attitude and work rate, characteristics that are central to the Wolfpack's identity, playing in the toughest conference in the nation.
