2008 USF Women's Soccer Outlook

It was all too familiar for the Lady Cougars after a heart-breaking loss to Cornerstone University—the team who beat USF in the NAIA Region VIII Final Four in penalty kicks just two years prior—in the 107th minute of double overtime in the NAIA Region VIII Final.  The University of Saint Francis women’s soccer team is still looking to make it to the NAIA National Championships for the first time.  Although, this year they will not be led by Ken Nuber—who has recently resigned after 13 seasons as the founder and head coach of women's soccer at Saint Francis—and taken an assistant coach position at the University of Notre Dame.  Taking his place will be Christy Young, who coached under Nuber for two seasons in 2004 and 2005 before getting her graduate degree and coaching as an assistant at Malone College in Canton, Ohio.

Long-time head coach Ken Nuber is the not the only loss the team will have to overcome, however.  Last season took seven graduating seniors—the biggest class in history—including Abby Bigelow, Megan Garrett, Jessica Wheeler, Laura Leffers, Ashley Henry, Stacey Rider, and Whitney Patterson: five starters, four Scholar-Athlete All-Americans, and three All-Americans.  Needless to say, this is without question a transition year for the Lady Cougars, but a challenge the team is looking to tackle head-on.

Hoping to lead USF to Daytona Beach, Fl. this year are seniors Mary Whisler, Kelli Linson, Jane Kinney, and Alissa Werst.  Whisler, a two-time All-American, will be controlling the midfield once again, as Linson, Kinney, and Werst run the defense with All-Region 2nd team sophomore Katie Christian and Bishop Dwenger graduate Mallorie Schon.  Juniors Kara Schultheis, Erin Frolicher, and Morgan Roy will round out the defensive end, while freshmen defenders Angie Carusone and Michelle Domenick may see more time up top than in the back.

Up front, Melissa Ellisen will be making her first and last appearance this season.  After taking a medical Red-shirt at Division I Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), Ellisen transferred to Saint Francis and used 2007 as a rebuilding year.  With a dynamite shot, she will be the Cougars’ target forward.  Playing beside her will be junior sparkplugs Hilary Powers and Sara Thieme, in addition to Kendra Reimer, Vanessa Herman, and a handful of rotating freshmen, including Bishop Dwenger’s Mary Peden and Northrop’s Jenna Mahon.

Joining Whisler in the midfield will be returners Jessica Taghon, Rachel Schenk, and Katie Freygang, who is expected to join the team in late September as she is recovering from ACL surgery.  Fort Wayne-natives Tracey Gordon, Kaitlin Cunningham, and Kaitlin Hire will also be in the middle, competing for a spot with Jessica Bound from Ohio.

Filling the goalkeeper shoes left by All-American Stacey Rider will be a challenge, but junior Sara Schlotterback and sophomore Kari Baughn are assuming the job.  Freshman Ashley Holt has also been recruited, and is expected to give these upperclassmen a run for their money.

With the loss of an inspiring seven, and a dozen freshmen coming in, Young certainly has her work cut out for her.  Nine games will be the cushion for USF before conference play starts at the end of the September.  And with the recent change in NAIA format, there is little room for error.  Now, there is no Regional tournament and the season is even longer—approximately four weeks longer.  The Post Season Conference Tournaments begin after regular season as usual, but the National tournament has been expanded into rounds, simulating Regional play.  The NAIA First Round will be on Nov. 22, following to the NAIA National Championships, held Dec. 1-6 in Daytona Beach, Fl.