Women's Soccer Preview, Part 3: Loyola

Aug. 17, 2006

After a strong end to the 2005 season, second-year head coach Frank Mateus and the Loyola soccer team are approaching the 2006 season with much optimism. The Ramblers return nine starters and 21 letterwinners from last year's squad and bring in a talented recruiting class that will nicely compliment the returnees.

"I am very excited about this group and cannot wait to get started," said Mateus. "We have a lot of talent back and those players and my staff have had a full year together, which is important. I am pleased with our freshman class and believe that we added some critical pieces. We do not play the season on paper but our goal is to win the Horizon League and make a run at the NCAA Tournament and I think that we are in a position to do just that."

GOALKEEPERS

One of the keys to successful soccer, on any level, is a solid defense. Anchoring the Ramblers in the defensive-third is senior keeper Emily Peick, who ranks second on the school's all-time list in shutouts (14) and fourth on the saves list (259). Peick has been a stalwart in the Loyola lineup for the past three seasons and is poised to close her career on a high note. Junior Lauren Sommer, who saw action in nine matches last season, returns and freshman Sarah Maness is in the mix as well, creating an enviable situation for Mateus.

"We have two returning keepers who are not only good players but also experienced," said Mateus. "Add a talented freshman to that group and having an abundance of capable keepers is a good position to be in."

DEFENDERS

In front of Peick, Loyola must replace its two graduated starters, Megan McDonald and Jamie Wasielewski, but will still feature a solid group of defenders that helped produce five clean sheets last season and limited opponents to just eight tallies over the last 10 matches.

"Once we moved Megan to the back last season, it stabilized our whole team," said Mateus. "Also take into account everything that Jamie has brought to the team and that is a lot to replace but I am confident in the players we have."

Junior Laura Heidenreich returns as a central defender and the Ramblers will look to her for leadership.

"Laura had a great spring season and improved so much," said Mateus. "She has two full years of experience now and her leadership will be very important to us."

Freshmen Julie Colhoff, Casey Barrier and Selina Hunt possess the tools to see early action in the middle and are lacking only experience. The trio gives the team quality depth.

Sophomore Caitlin Brown returns at one of the outside back positions and junior Amanda Ward is primed to man the other side. Brown started all 19 matches last season as a freshman while Ward was also a vital cog last season, seeing time on both the back line and in the midfield.

"Amanda brings such personality and versatility to the field," said Mateus. "She can play anywhere and help us anywhere so we need her on the field."

"Caitlin had a great freshman season and we need her to build on that," continued Mateus. "She earned her spot last year and we expect her to maintain it."

Sophomore Samantha Kufta, who tallied her first collegiate goal in the regular season finale last year, will also vie for playing time at outside back.

MIDFIELDERS

Loyola is even more stocked in the midfield, where junior Amy Lomas leads one of the Horizon League's premier groups. The Ramblers return four players, all of whom have proven themselves at the collegiate level.

Lomas enjoyed a breakout year last year, tying for the team lead in both goals (5) and points (13) from her left-flank position. Her ability to score and distribute make her an essential piece of the Ramblers' attack.

"Amy had a great year last year," said Mateus. "I am hoping she continues to move forward as a player and is even more of a threat this year."

Juniors Anne Sommer and Mallory Moylan will also see time on the wings, as will dynamic freshman Jackie Vera, one of the most prolific high school goal-scorers in Illinois, who brings speed and creativity to the pitch.

The Ramblers will also be experienced in the middle, as senior Mary Dale and junior Heather Lau are expected to patrol the center of the park. Dale, who enters the season just nine goals shy of Loyola's career mark, should fall back a little deeper this season, allowing her to distribute as well as attack. Lau was one of Loyola's most consistent players last season, finishing with one goal and four assists, and has a very high ceiling.

"Mary has shown she can score at this level," said Mateus. "She is a hard-worker, has done everything she can to be successful and has assumed a greater leadership role."

"Heather played the most minutes of anyone on our team last year and was a model of consistency," said Mateus. "We are expecting even greater things out of her this year and hoping she can take the next step and have a breakout season."

One wild card for the Ramblers is Julie Kenkel, who was limited to just 12 appearances last season through injury. Kenkel was the 2004 Horizon League Newcomer of the Year and Loyola would certainly welcome a return to form from the junior.

"Julie is a difference-maker," said Mateus. "If she can come back healthy it would provide a big boost for us."

Sophomore Selina Thanadabouth also returns in the midfield after seeing action in 11 matches last season. She brings vision and ideas as well as composure to the field.

In addition, Cynthia Morote-Ariza is a highly-touted freshman that will look to make an immediate impact. Her flair and knowledge of the game are two of her biggest assets. Classmates Becca Hughey and Ashley Morawski will also compete for playing time.

FORWARDS

Up front, Loyola features as deep and experienced a group as any in the Horizon League, with one senior and three juniors in the mix along with a pair of talented sophomores.

One of those sophomores, Alexia Murray, is coming off a tremendous spring season and seems poised to make a splash this year. Murray played in all 19 matches last year, netting a pair of goals.

Juniors Katie Heidenreich and Stephanie Pauli will also contribute up front. Heidenreich also netted two goals last season while Pauli, one of the more explosive players in the league, scored three times, including the 77th-minute winner in Loyola's 1-0 win over UW-Green Bay in the Horizon League Championship quarterfinals.

"Katie is one of our most dangerous players," said Mateus. "We are hoping that she can turn that into goals this year and have a standout year."

"Stephanie can score," said Mateus. "She had some ups-and-downs last season but she had the big goal against UW-Green Bay and we are hoping that she will build on that heading into this year."

Senior Lindsay Faron also returns as do junior Danielle Persiano and sophomore Brittany Lambert. All three will see playing time and bring different things to the table.

"We can look to Lindsay for instant offense," said Mateus. "She has the most powerful shot on the team and can get us on the board. Danielle and Brittany are good sparkplugs for us and both have excellent work rates."

Story provided by Loyola Office of Sports Information