Marshall University Athletics
Optimism Abound at Women's Soccer Training Camp
8/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Optimism Abound at Women's Soccer Training Camp
8/17/2004
Jaime Gruber and Jessie Crawford battle for the ball at practice in preparation for the 2004 season. photo by MATT RILEY |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. ? The Marshall women?s soccer team is fresh off its first week of training camp and if the smiles on the faces of the coaching staff are any indication of things to come, it?s going to be a much improved season for the Thundering Herd.
?We?re all ecstatic with what we?ve seen so far,? second-year head coach Chris Kane said. ?I knew there was going to be so much potential out there, but I think as a group, I?m even happier than I expected to be after watching them these first few days.?
Fourteen freshmen reported to training camp along with 11 returnees to prepare for the 2004 season with high hopes of turning around the 2-15-1 mark of 2003.
?We?re extremely pleased with how the freshmen have come in and started making their mark on the field already,? Kane said. ?Then with the returners and how they?ve all raised their level, it?s been fun to watch them all challenge each other and I think things are looking really good for us.?
The newcomers to the Herd in 2004 are Heather Burchett of Dayton, Ohio; Sara Burdick of Leicester, N.Y.; Colleen Fuertges of West Chester, Ohio; Jenna Greenwood of Westerville, Ohio; Kate Heilich of Columbia, S.C.; Kassie Hollman of Marietta, Ga.; Kelly Jackson of Rochester, N.Y.; Mollie Lee of Leawood, Kan.; Rebecca Mumley and Katie Watson of Woodbridge, Va.; Emily Fedeles of Tampa, Fla.; Katy Lee of Larkspur, Co.; Elise Provenzano of Webster, N.Y. and Mallory Lazell of Huntington.
The veteran crew of returnees is headed by captains, Jaime Gruber, a junior from Hudson, Ohio and seniors Ellerie Karl, of Oakwood, Ohio and Ashleigh Woods of Penfield, N.Y.
Also returning is senior Jessie Crawford (Amelia, Ohio); juniors, Jenn Short (Mentor, Ohio); Cara Hemmerich (Dublin, Ohio); Megan Jenkins (Dayton, Ohio) and Kai Nordness (Burnsville, Minn.). Rounding out the Herd roster in 2004 are sophomores Tracy Fisher of Dayton, Ohio and Alethea Kister (Charleston, W.Va.) and redshirt freshman Dana Yeske of Madison, Ala.
?They all came ready to play and are playing together well. It?s going to be a tough decision when we have to determine who?s going to start and who?s going to get more playing time than others,? Kane said. ?We can go very deep with the talent on our roster so everybody knows they have to push themselves and each other and that?s a good thing to have going on.?
Even with so many new players and a fresh look to this year?s squad, Kane said from day one, a sense of optimism has been present from the players and coaches, to the trainers and support staff.
?The gelling out there has happened a lot smoother than I expected,? Kane said. ?They?re communicating well and playing together really well for it to be this early.?
Kane said his players reported to camp in good shape, as well, with 20 of 23 passing the fitness tests on the first try and those that didn?t weren?t due to lack of effort, but more to the impact of injury rehabilitation or late signing and he expects them to pass this week.
The Herd continues practice this week and will get its first taste of another opponent this weekend when the team heads to the University of Pittsburgh for a scrimmage Saturday at 2 p.m. The Herd begins the regular season August 27 at LaSalle University in Philadelphia. The first home match is scheduled for September 1 against Morehead State at 7 p.m. on Sam Hood Field.
?I?m very optimistic and really excited,? Kane said. ?It?s been fun to see them working so hard and picking up so well here in the first week and I?m sure it?s going to be even more fun as we continue to improve and gear up for the season.?
