Aug. 26, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - If the Northwestern women's soccer team learned anything in 2001, it was the importance of scoring goals. The Wildcats went 8-0-1 when finding the back of the net, but were shut out 10 times and lost all of those matches.
With that in mind, it is not hard to wonder whether NU Head Coach Jenny Haigh sleeps well these days. Four of her top five scorers from last year are gone to graduation, totaling 12 of the Wildcats' 21 goals in 2001.
Who will fill the void in 2002? Surprisingly, Haigh seems relatively calm in the face of the, uh...does storm work here?
"We got a lot better as a team in the offseason, both in terms of possessing the ball and getting to goal," she said. "We were able to create dangerous opportunities in the spring, and that was with the group we have coming back. With the added help of a strong freshman class, we have several solid players up front. We will have a lot more options with our personnel."
One reason for NU's versatility stems from Haigh's confidence at the other end of the field. Last year the 'Cats gave up just 20 goals in 19 matches, its lowest total ever. Three of the four defenders-Molly Greene, Lindsey Veris and Kelli Wilson-and goalkeeper Susie McCreery return from that stingy unit.
"That group was the backbone for us last year, and being able to go into 2002 with them back there again allows us to do some different things in the midfield and up front," said Haigh. "While we're looking for the best way to score goals, we have faith that our back line can hold their ground and be very consistent."
McCreery played all but 19 minutes last year in her first significant contribution since arriving at Northwestern, and her return for a fifth year (she redshirted in 1999) is good news. However, Haigh warns that while the job is hers to lose, sophomore Anne Helm is ready to challenge.
"Susie had a great year in 2001 and is definitely our No. 1 goalkeeper," said Haigh. "But after seeing Anne during the off-season, and knowing how hard she works, I would not hesitate to put her in. It's a nice luxury to have."
Greene and Veris anchored the middle last season, and their efforts did not go unnoticed-Greene was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, while Veris was voted NU's Rookie of the Year. Haigh is excited by Wilson, who had a breakout spring and is ready to put an exclamation point on her career.
Senior Gina Napoli and sophomores Lauren Johnson and Katie Gunderson-who missed all of last year due to injury-are the main returnees looking to fill in the final spot in the backfield. Senior Alana Stamas, a midfielder for three years, may also see time on the back line.
The loss of Katie Hertz hurts the midfield, as she held down the middle of the park last season and led the team with 10 points. However, the other two starters return-senior Aileen Guiney and sophomore Carolyn Hack-and several other players are ready to contribute.
"A lot of people played significant minutes in the midfield last year," said Haigh. "Kristiina Gilkey, in particular, could step in and start right away this fall. Aileen and Carolyn played at a very high level last spring and over the summer, and they could both really step up. I feel very comfortable with who we have returning in the midfield and our ability in that area."
Up top, any talk has to begin with sophomore Ashleigh Garmon. A thoroughbred in every sense of the word, she scored all of her four goals in the final third of the season, including the overtime game-winner at Wisconsin that catapulted NU into the Big Ten Tournament. Haigh hopes Garmon becomes the difference-maker who can put the Wildcats among the nation's elite.
"Ashleigh really came on last year, and now that she's comfortable in our system I think she could break out," said Haigh. "Kristen Pearce is probably our smartest player up top, in terms of her ability to read the game and make intelligent runs. She will be a big factor, too."
Haigh also sees speedy senior Janelle Harwood contributing on the attack: "She has a great shot, and if she's fit she can really impact a game."
One other factor in Haigh's approach to the 2002 season lies in the six incoming freshmen-Nell Compernolle, Kate Ghidinelli, Julie Lipinski, Tabitha Lowey, Molly Maxfield, and Stephanie Miller.
"This is a very strong class, with several players who could contribute right away," said Haigh. "The key will be to try and figure out where they fit in best and go from there."
Haigh has loaded up the nonconference schedule again in 2002 to make her team battle-tested come conference time. Of NU's eight non-Big Ten matches, three come against teams that made the 2001 NCAA Tournament (Brigham Young, Kentucky, UW-Milwaukee).
In addition, Haigh thinks the Big Ten will re-establish itself as one of the nation's elite conferences after a relatively down year in 2001-"I don't see any easy games on the schedule," she said. However, she feels her team can challenge for the top spot.
"We want to learn how to win, yes, but we've made a point to put tough teams on the schedule," she said. "We were challenged last season and it paid off in the second half. Playing a tough schedule provides us with the opportunity to challenge ourselves and become a better soccer team.
"I feel our team can compete, on any given day, with any other team in the country," Haigh continued. "We made some important and exciting strides last year, and we're ready to continue that momentum this season. Our goals are to become a better soccer team and maximize our strengths.
"If we continue to grow and compete well every single day, then it is realistic for us to look for a bid to the NCAA Tournament and contend for the Big Ten title."