2009 Women's Soccer Outlook

When head coach Eric Lewis reflects on the upcoming Guilford College women’s soccer season, he sees similarities between this year’s team and the 2006 club that won a school-record 13 matches and reached the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament finals. Both sides had proven veterans on offense and defense, yet questions remained at other key positions that dulled Lewis’ optimism. The Quakers return six starters among 15 letter winners from last year’s 8-12 injury-riddled unit that went 6-5 in the league and placed fifth in the ODAC Tournament.

One key difference between the two teams is Guilford’s home field. In 2006, the Quakers played on the natural grass surface of Haworth Field, located on the outskirts of campus. The 2009 club will be the first to play in the Armfield Athletic Center, a lighted facility that received an artificial (Field Turf) surface over the summer. Lewis says the move to a more centrally located venue where the team can play (and practice) under the lights should generate more confidence and attention.

Lewis suggests defense may be the team’s strength with the return of senior Caroline Hemeter and junior Kristyn Melanson. Both upperclassmen have started two seasons, Hemeter in the inside and Melanson as an outside back. In addition to their 69 combined college starts, the pair brings an exceptional combination of speed and skill to the back line. Junior Emma Blaylock made 16 starts on defense last season, but may move to the midfield.

Another defensive candidate is senior Bree Vohs, who will also contend for the starting goaltender’s spot. The Quakers need a replacement in the cage for the graduated Amber Stapler, who posted a 1.79 goals against average and five shutouts in two seasons as Guilford’s starter. Vohs played well over the summer in games at the North Carolina Girls’ Soccer camp and vies with sophomore Kat Adams, who played in seven matches as a rookie with one starting nod. She made 23 saves and had a 2.93 goals against average in over 246 minutes of action.

On offense, the Quakers will miss last season’s top goal scorer (Jackie D’Orsaneo), but returns an all-region performer in senior forward Jada Daniel. Daniel has 44 points in 51 career matches and ranks 10th in school history with 12 assists. The two-time Second Team All-ODAC selection can count on a lot of double- and triple-teams, so Lewis is considering using three forwards to free up more one-on-one matchups for Daniel. Sophomore Bri Eilman, who played 10 games with NCAA Division I University of Nebraska last year, could give Daniel company on the front line and stress opposing defenses. Sophomores Claire Massagee and Lauren Matthews will also push for minutes after contributing as rookies.

Graduation claimed at least four midfielders from last year’s team and makes the middle of the park fairly wide open headed into preseason camp. Speedy junior Ellie Taylor ranked third on last year’s team with 12 points (4g, 4a) after starting as an outside midfielder before moving inside late in the year. Lewis looks forward to a healthy Marina Schachowskoj, who missed the bulk of 2008 with an injury after transferring from Division II California (Pa.). Schachowskoj, a junior and great ball distributor, was limited to one goal in four games a year ago. Juniors Gillian Carroll, Brittany Freyer and Clara Van Kleeck and join the sophomore duo of Sarah Bradburd and Sarah Foster as little-used veterans hoping to make a bigger impact in 2009.

The Quakers’ schedule includes an early test at a September tournament hosted by Salisbury University where the Quakers play Capital (Ohio) University and the host Seagulls. ODAC competition again features some of the South region’s top teams, including the likes of Washington and Lee University, Lynchburg College, Virginia Wesleyan College and Roanoke College. Guilford opens its home schedule under the lights versus crosstown-rival Greensboro College Sept. 9.