Last season, Allegheny women’s soccer enjoyed its best campaign in six seasons while navigating to its 13th winning ledger in 14 years. Although the Gators finished 11-6-2 overall and grabbed third in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings for the second consecutive fall, the team dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker in the league’s postseason semifinals. As one of the region’s historically elite programs (.656 all-time winning percentage), Allegheny head coach Mike Webber is hopeful to capitalize on his squad’s resurgence as the Gators aim for their first conference title and NCAA Championship appearance since 2003.
According to last year’s Massey Ratings, which serves as an RPI for Division III, the NCAC ranked as the fifth-best conference in the country. And while the road for Allegheny will be tumultuous, the Blue and Gold return nine of 11 starters including eight seniors and five All-Conference performers. After ending the 2009 slate with a 6-0-1 record at home, the Gators will have to improve on the road if they hope to break into the national picture.
The primary driver in Allegheny’s postseason aspirations will be the play of its defense, which ranked second in the conference and 26th in the nation in 2009. The Gator 11 also finished among the top 20 in the NCAA with 12 shutouts and surrendered just 11 goals. Anchoring the unit’s defensive effort is junior goalkeeper Emily Karr, who set a school record last season after posting eight consecutive shutouts while keeping the opposition off the board for 792 minutes. The 11 individual shutouts by Karr smashed an Allegheny season record as she finished 28th in the country in goals against average. While Karr has demonstrated good command of the box and has improved her fitness level tremendously, the Gators have solid depth in net and coach Webber is confident in the position as a whole. Senior Rebecca O’Shurak is agile and athletic, and has vastly improved her leadership skills. In the last two years, O’Shurak has appeared in four games without surrendering a goal. The Gators will have additional stability in goal with the addition of senior Kelsie Mozzoni and freshman Taylor Endress.
The back line has been central to the team’s revitalization the last two years, although Allegheny will have to compensate for the loss of All-Region standout Monica Schaffer. The center back position will be a hot topic for the Gators this season, and could fall to Kira Kliment. The exceptionally-skilled junior played a key role in the midfield last season, but her outstanding technical abilities and distributing skills would allow her to slide back and help strengthen the defensive corps. Freshman Alison Buzzard has demonstrated a quick grasp of the college game and her skill level will enable her to immediately compete for a starting spot at center mid. Complementing on the left side of the middle is junior All-Conference honoree Becky Arndt, who has developed into one of the toughest players in the region. Arndt is strong and has proven ability as a disruptive force against the opposition’s attack. Sophomore Katrina Gazsi will likely get the starting nod on the outside left, while junior Alex Gordon will lock down the outside right. Gordon, who earned Second Team All-Conference plaudits last season, is one of the most athletic players on the team. Behind her fantastic touch, Gordon can create when getting into the attack, and has the potential to be one of the NCAC’s break-out stars. Senior Jess Boyle and rookie Jenna Smith will also see action on the right, while freshman Leanne Balster will push for a starting job on either side. Gazsi and Balster both possess good speed and athleticism, and can play on the outside flank as well. Sophomore Dayna Rowe and freshman Taylor Davenport complete the Gators’ back-field rotation, while first-year Abigail Lee and junior Molly Gerbasi are versatile and will contribute in the back and middle. A key goal for the defense will be the unit’s focus on keeping the right shape, while looking for more opportunities to trigger an attack.
The midfield is another area of strength for the Gators, although the group’s depth has been tested. Senior All-Conference pick Nicole Mascia emerged as one of the league’s best players in 2009 and finished the season as Allegheny’s leading scorer. A mainstay on the outside left, the game plan this year will include finding opportunities to isolate Mascia, and allow her exceptional on-ball ability and quick feet to spark a surge into the attacking third. Anchoring the right wing of the pitch is classmate Molly Waggoner. The four-year starter boasts a strong soccer IQ, is great on the counter-attack, and can deliver a consistently solid ball on corners. The middle of the field is a little more undefined, although a command of the “Engine Room” is what could ultimately make the difference for Allegheny. Clement could reprise her role from last season, while senior Abby Sylvester is a tough striker with high energy. Despite a small frame, junior Becca Crissman is extremely technical who is best suited as a deep-lying playmaker. Rookies Michelle Holcomb and Megan Halsch add tremendous support to the group and are highly skilled for first-year collegiate players. Holcomb is incredibly quick on the ball and is probably best positioned on the outside, while Halsch’s skill-set is geared toward the offensive third. Both players can expect to earn significant time as the season progresses. Rounding out the contingent is sophomore All-Conference performer Ashley Lehr, who is quickly blossoming into another one of the league’s potential stars. Lehr will likely see action in the middle as well as up top as her work-rate and energy often changes the dynamic on the field.
Junior Georgia Frost is probably the most technically gifted athlete on the team and will likely headline the attack. Skilled at holding the ball as her teammates advance, Frost will be looked to generate more offensive looks for herself in addition to setting up the rest of the offense. Senior Julie Muller is pure speed, and her constant buzzing routinely has caused backs to give up the ball. Keeping her healthy is imperative as Allegheny looks to improve upon its 25-goal output from last campaign. Chyna Strickland, who is an outside back by trade, freshman Emily Byers, and Halsch will also add support to the forward position.
Allegheny has played well enough to secure a spot among the nation’s elite, but improvements in several areas of the pitch will turn missed opportunities in the past into great chances in 2010. The Gators outshot their opponents last year, 262-124, but will need to be better in the midfield to open up space up top and put the team’s strikers in position for quality looks. Another goal for the squad will be to move forward as quickly as possible, especially after re-starts, and avoid bogging down in the offensive third. This year’s edition of Allegheny soccer is experienced, confident, and bigger. The team’s overall fitness level is a strength, but the expectations are higher. If the nine rookies comprising this year’s solid incoming class can find a way to integrate into the team dynamic and the rest of the veteran-laden unit can bolster its ability to work well together, the Gators will be deep in the running for the program’s sixth conference crown.