North Carolina State University Athletics
Women's Soccer Training Hard For Success in 2007
8/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. The NC State women’s soccer team is just over a week away from its regular season opener against Davidson on Friday, August 31 at 5 pm at Method Road Soccer Stadium.
Leading up next Friday’s match, the team has trained very hard in the sweltering heat that has engulfed the Southeast over the past couple weeks, preparing the Wolfpack for a successful 2007 season.
Earlier in the week, the Pack traveled to Villanova for an exhibition match and the coaching staff saw many positives that will carry into the upcoming season.
Here are a few notes to ponder as the 2007 soccer season is only days away:
LEADERSHIP
Senior Jessica O’Rourke will lead the team as its senior captain. “Jess is the type of player who you would follow into battle,” says head coach Laura Kerrigan. “She will do whatever it takes to win the ball on the field and that’s the type of player you want to have as your captain.” Kerrigan also looks forward to the leadership provided by juniors Tami Krzeszewski and Lindsay Vera. “Tami is one of the hardest working players I’ve had the pleasure to coach. She never stops moving during a game or training session. Lindsay Vera is probably the fittest player on our team, as well as being one of the fastest. She sets such a great example for our younger players by showing them that you can’t just rely on your talent, you have to work hard, as well,” said Kerrigan.
READY FROM THE START
A key to any season is getting off to a good start. NC State has gone without a loss in its opening four games for three straight years, including a 5-0-1 record to begin the 2006 season.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
NC State returns nearly all its scoring from the 2006 campaign as seven of its top-eight scoring leaders from last year are back in 2007. Senior Jessica O’Rourke led the Pack with 19 points, which included a team-topping eight goals and three assists. Junior Lindsay Vera earned multiple postseason accolades after posting 11 points on five goals and one assist. Sophomore Briana Cunningham added five goals and three assists in her freshman campaign.
NEW LOOK BACK-LINE
NC State graduated a majority of its defenders from last season with only sophomore Katie Ruiz returning from a solid first year with the Pack. She started 18 matches and led the team with five assists, which included setting up four game-winning goals. Sophomores Gia Cipollini, who played mostly forward last fall and Meredith Parrilla, who played midfield last season, both excelled in the back for the Wolfpack this spring. They may see significant time in the back for the Pack in 2007. The freshmen class includes numerous players who may find themselves starting for the Pack.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
The starting goalkeeper job is up for grabs as pre-season begins. Sophomore Sydney Little saw 110 minutes in goal last year and posted a 1-0 shutout over High Point. In all she appeared in two games and made five saves. Kerrigan stated that, “Sydney had a great spring season for us and it will be a battle to see who starts for us in goal from game to game.” Freshman Rachel Barnette brings with her strong accolades from McIntosh High School outside Atlanta. Barnette allowed the least goals in her county during the 2006 season and led her 2005 team to a 5A state title. Each played a half in the exhibition and combined for three saves.
Leading up next Friday’s match, the team has trained very hard in the sweltering heat that has engulfed the Southeast over the past couple weeks, preparing the Wolfpack for a successful 2007 season.
Earlier in the week, the Pack traveled to Villanova for an exhibition match and the coaching staff saw many positives that will carry into the upcoming season.
Here are a few notes to ponder as the 2007 soccer season is only days away:
LEADERSHIP
Senior Jessica O’Rourke will lead the team as its senior captain. “Jess is the type of player who you would follow into battle,” says head coach Laura Kerrigan. “She will do whatever it takes to win the ball on the field and that’s the type of player you want to have as your captain.” Kerrigan also looks forward to the leadership provided by juniors Tami Krzeszewski and Lindsay Vera. “Tami is one of the hardest working players I’ve had the pleasure to coach. She never stops moving during a game or training session. Lindsay Vera is probably the fittest player on our team, as well as being one of the fastest. She sets such a great example for our younger players by showing them that you can’t just rely on your talent, you have to work hard, as well,” said Kerrigan.
READY FROM THE START
A key to any season is getting off to a good start. NC State has gone without a loss in its opening four games for three straight years, including a 5-0-1 record to begin the 2006 season.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
NC State returns nearly all its scoring from the 2006 campaign as seven of its top-eight scoring leaders from last year are back in 2007. Senior Jessica O’Rourke led the Pack with 19 points, which included a team-topping eight goals and three assists. Junior Lindsay Vera earned multiple postseason accolades after posting 11 points on five goals and one assist. Sophomore Briana Cunningham added five goals and three assists in her freshman campaign.
NEW LOOK BACK-LINE
NC State graduated a majority of its defenders from last season with only sophomore Katie Ruiz returning from a solid first year with the Pack. She started 18 matches and led the team with five assists, which included setting up four game-winning goals. Sophomores Gia Cipollini, who played mostly forward last fall and Meredith Parrilla, who played midfield last season, both excelled in the back for the Wolfpack this spring. They may see significant time in the back for the Pack in 2007. The freshmen class includes numerous players who may find themselves starting for the Pack.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
The starting goalkeeper job is up for grabs as pre-season begins. Sophomore Sydney Little saw 110 minutes in goal last year and posted a 1-0 shutout over High Point. In all she appeared in two games and made five saves. Kerrigan stated that, “Sydney had a great spring season for us and it will be a battle to see who starts for us in goal from game to game.” Freshman Rachel Barnette brings with her strong accolades from McIntosh High School outside Atlanta. Barnette allowed the least goals in her county during the 2006 season and led her 2005 team to a 5A state title. Each played a half in the exhibition and combined for three saves.
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