WMU Women's Soccer Preview

Story courtesy WMU Sports Information

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Kalamazoo, MI (August 14, 2009) - The Western Michigan women's soccer team entered the 2008 season with a chip on its shoulder. The team was voted to finish 12th out of 12 teams in the Mid-American Conference preseason coaches' poll. After starting the season with a 3-0 win over Wyoming, the Broncos lost six straight to end the non-conference schedule. WMU rebounded during conference play, proving the coaches wrong by going 6-4-1 and finishing in fifth place.

With a new interim head coach, the Broncos look to build on a strong finish in 2008 and carry it over in to the 2009 season. Suzie Grech takes over as interim head coach after spending two years as an assistant with Western Michigan.

The Broncos return 10 of 11 starters from the previous season as well as every goal scorer. Western Michigan opens its exhibition season by hosting Indiana State University on Sunday August 18 at 1 p.m. at the WMU Soccer Complex.

DEFENSE

The heart of the 2009 team may come from the back line, as both captains are two of WMU's top defenders. Senior Hillary Wernlund enters her second year wearing the captain's arm band. She started all 19 games last season and scored her first career goal, the game-winner in WMU's 3-0 win over Wyoming. However goal scoring is not her prowess as a defender and her play in the backfield helped the Broncos produce five shutouts on the season.

"Hillary is definitely a vocal leader," commented Grech. "She has a very fiery personality and a passion out on the field that everyone is able to see. I think with a year as captain under her belt, she was able to really grow in to the roll of being a leader in the back line as well as off the field."

Junior Ashley Caliendo will be the other captain, donning the arm band for the first time in her career. Nicknamed ACE, Caliendo is coming off her first full-length collegiate season after missing significant action her first two years due to injury. Caliendo started all 19 games and was an important part of WMU's success off of set pieces, taking many corner kicks.

"With ACE it comes down to her ability and intensity on the field," added Grech. "She is one of those players that are always going to give 100-percent. She is more of a silent leader and leads by example on and off the field."

Sophomore Caitlin Henderson stepped in and started in all 19 games as an outside-back in her first collegiate season and finished the year tied with Caliendo and Kelsey Carmichael for the team lead in assists with three. Fellow sophomore Victoria Slavin saw action 11 games, starting in one, before suffering a season-ending injury.

Senior Michele Roffey saw action off the bench, appearing in 16 games. Newcomers Kelsey Baskins and Stefana Ciraulo will also add depth to the defense.

GOALKEEPER

Junior Julia Francy saw action in every minute of every game during the 2008 season. She posted a 7-11-1 record with 98 saves and allowing 26 goals. With the help of her defense Francy posted five shutouts on the season, pushing her career total to 10. Francy helped WMU to a 5-2-1 record at home with only loss coming during conference play. Freshman Autumn Lucero will be WMU's second option in the net.

MIDFIELD

The Broncos return every starting midfielder from last season's team, including Carmichael, who tied with forward Stephanie Skowneski for the team lead with 11 points. Entering her junior season, Carmichael started in all 19 games, tallying four goals and three assists.

Senior Patrice Impelido tallied three goals and started all 18 games she played in. Impelido's consistent all-around play helped the Broncos improve possession in the midfield. Junior Nicole Dulyea can be dangerous when taking free-kicks in the attacking zone, as she tallied her lone goal on the season last year coming off a set piece. Dulyea, who stands 5-foot-11, is one of WMU's most consistent ball winners, using her height to her advantage when the ball is in the air. Dulyea finished third on the team with 28 shots, with 14 of them on net.

Nikollete Rivera made an immediate impact in the midfield but saw her season cut short due to injury. Her starting spot was taken over by fellow sophomore Alison Szczypka and she filled in well, tallying three goals and winning WMU's first MAC Player of the Week Award since 2006. Rivera has fully recovered from her injury and will look to have an impact once again in 2009.

Freshman Erin Blewitt and junior transfer Ali Bagely will add depth to an already talented midfield along with Ali Jacobs, who saw action in nine games off the bench and netted a goal and an assist on the season.

FORWARDS

Heading in to the 2009 season Western Michigan had scored just 10 goals during the previous season. The Broncos needed to score more goals if they were to be successful.

An answer to that problem was found with then freshman forward Stephanie Skowneski. Skowneski blended speed and skill to net five goals and tally 11 points on the season to become the WMU's top goal scorer. Jackie Drees also saw significant action at the forward position, playing in all 19 games and starting 10.

The Broncos also expect newcomers Brittney Pavlica, Megan Matula and Anina Cicerone will add depth and will be in the mix for playing time during the season.

"I'm really excited about our freshman class," commented Grech. "Mixing the new talent with our current talent will make my job a little tougher, but it is a problem I welcome. The depth of the roster will benefit us on Sundays, being able to put out fresh legs and not miss a beat."

SCHEDULE

Western Michigan has two home exhibition matches on the 18th with Indiana State and then on the 21st at 10 a.m. against Ferris State. After the two exhibition matches, the Broncos head on the road for three straight weekends to start the season playing at Northern Colorado, Wyoming, Eastern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Oakland and Wright State.

WMU's first regular season home game is on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. as the Broncos host Marquette. The game kicks off a three weekend home stand in which they also battle defending MAC Champions Toledo, Bowing Green, Akron and Ohio.

The Broncos also host Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan in the same weekend on Oct. 16 and 18. WMU closes out the season hosting Northern Illinois on Thursday, Oct. 29.