Women's Soccer Preview, Part 4: Green Bay

Aug. 22, 2007

One word that could describe the 2007 Green Bay women's soccer team is youthful, as 12 newcomers join the Phoenix this fall. But with that youth could bring a swing of energy, as many will be battling for starting positions.

Head coach Quinn Ross will have the task of quickly molding the newcomers while replacing one of the team's most successful senior classes from 2006, which featured Academic All-American Stephanie Gross. But Ross is undaunted as he and the Phoenix strive to challenge for a spot among the Horizon League elite this year.

Green Bay does return six starters from last year's 8-7-2 team, the first to break the .500 mark in over a decade, led by a pair of seniors with three years of starting experience at their respective positions. Along with two juniors that will be starting for the third straight year and a senior that will be pressed into a starting role, there are plenty of positive aspects for Green Bay heading into the fall campaign.

Forwards
Senior Jennie Gorwitz is primed for a breakout season in 2007. After filling a reserve role her first three years for Green Bay, Gorwitz will be looked upon to bolster the Phoenix attack. Last year, Gorwitz finished second on the team and sixth in the Horizon League in scoring (eight goals, 18 points) despite starting just four matches. She possesses a nose for the goal and is not afraid to fire from long range with pin-point accuracy.

Sophomore Meghan McKenzie will need to emerge as an attacking force this year. As a freshman, McKenzie started nine of 14 matches, but had just three shots on the year. While her strength is serving as a target player, McKenzie will be asked to add to the scoring column this fall.

Four freshmen will add depth to the front line. Laura Hamer, a two-time honorable mention All-state selection from Blaine, Minn., tallied 25 goals as a senior last fall. She brings speed and a competitive nature to Green Bay's attack.

Two-time Wisconsin all-state selection Laura Hayward had a stellar prep career at Sheboygan North. A versatile athlete and natural left-footer, Hayward will bring an added dimension to Green Bay's front line this fall.

Wausau, Wis. native Christy Logan is expected to have an immediate impact for Green Bay. After advancing through the Ohio Olympic Development Program early in her career, Logan continued her soccer success after arriving at Wausau West as a sophomore. While there, Logan gained all-conference honors while leading the team in scoring each season.

Although hampered by injury late in her prep career, Sam Schiro is ready to step into the college game. An all-state pick as a sophomore at Racine Park, Schiro showed her athletic abilities in high school as she lettered in four sports as a prep standout.

Midfielders
While a pair of key veterans returns to anchor the Green Bay midfield, the center of the park will have the most new faces this year.

Senior Lotte Rasmussen is in the best condition of her collegiate career and is poised for big things this fall. Hampered by a nagging injury last year, Rasmussen has shown she is more than able to carry the offensive burden for Green Bay. A dangerous player with a wide shooting range, Rasmussen has improved her stamina during the off-season.

Also returning is junior captain Claire Townsend. A two-year starter, Townsend was also hindered by injuries last year, but is ready for her penultimate campaign with Green Bay. A deft passer who isn't afraid to fire from long range, Townsend has been the key to Green Bay's central midfield for the past two years.

Junior Maria Vittorio will likely aid the Green Bay midfield from the outside this season. A versatile and crafty player who can also contribute at the forward position, Vittorio was named the team's most improved player following her sophomore campaign.

Rounding out the returnees in the midfield is junior Lindsay Cervenko. A two-year reserve as a wing midfielder, Cervenko's leadership may push her into a starting role this fall.

Green Bay soccer brings in five newcomers to the midfield this fall, with junior Lydia Beyerlein leading the way. A two-year standout at Walla Walla (Wash.) Community College for former Green Bay men's soccer standout Chad Bodnar, Beyerlein will bring a physical presence to the Phoenix midfield.

Megan Muehlbach arrives on campus after a stellar prep and club soccer career. While at Hartland Arrowhead High School, Muehlbach showed her versatility by leading her team in scoring as a freshman and finishing as the team's assist leader as a senior. She also played for the Milwaukee Kickers that took home the Wisconsin Premiere League title.

Kari Busch was a four-time all-conference selection at Delavan-Darien High School and will be a key contributor for Green Bay this fall.A pair of Minnesota prep track letterwinners round out the corps of Green Bay newcomers to the midfield. Amber O'Connor was a two-time all-conference pick and earned her team's dedication award as a senior. Brianna Szabla earned all-conference accolades all four years at Champlain Park and helped her team post a 16-4-1 record last fall.

Defenders
While the midfield has the most newcomers joining its ranks for Green Bay this fall, the Phoenix defense features a trio of returnees that will solidify the back line.

Senior Amanda Brown, one of the most versatile players on Ross' roster, will serve as an outside defender this year. Brown, a tenacious man-marker with strength in the air, has seen time in the midfield during her career and could move into an outside midfielder role should the need arise.

Junior Sharon Zurbey could move to the center of the Green Bay defense this fall after two seasons as an outside back. A mainstay on the Phoenix back line for the past two years, Zurbey's leadership and experience make her a candidate for a central defender position.

Sophomore Amanda Stinson made eight starts in 15 games as a rookie last fall and is a top candidate for a starting spot this year. Joining Stinson in a quest for a starting role is fellow sophomore Liz Metzler, who gained valuable experience during the off-season as Green Bay will rely on her stingy defense this campaign.

Three newcomers join the defensive lineup this year. Chelsea Lyons brings lighting quick speed to the defense as well as strength in the air and will be a welcome enforcer to the back line. Lyons also has the ability to join the attack and could see some time this fall as a forward for Coach Ross.

Sophomore Sarah Christofferson joins Green Bay after a season at St. Thomas (Minn.). While with the Tommies, Christofferson saw action in 10 games.

Leah Olinyk extends Green Bay's six-year streak of at least one player from Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School on its roster. Olinyk was a two-year captain for the Red Raiders and was a two-time all-state honoree.

Goalkeepers
Senior Brooke Wikgren returns for her final season as Green Bay's starting goalkeeper. While the Horizon League continues to feature strong goalkeepers, Wikgren has been consistently among the league's elite both in saves and goals-against average. Her current average of 1.35 GAA for her career is best in team history.

Junior Charla Buxbaum suffered a season-ending knee injury this summer, but will retain two years of eligibility with the 2008 season.

The Schedule
For the first time ever, Green Bay women's will host four NCAA tournament participants from the previous season. Marquette, Drake and Horizon League foes Milwaukee and Loyola will all take on the Phoenix at Santaga Stadium this season, starting with its home-opener against Marquette Sept. 12. The contest with the Golden Eagles is part of a three-game homestand that includes the team's homecoming match against North Dakota State Sept. 16 and Loyola Sept. 21.

Green Bay will start the 2007 regular season Aug. 31 at Illinois State, as the team will be on the road for its first four matches. WesternIllinois, Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa will all host Green Bay during the season-opening stretch.

Following its opening homestand in mid-September, Green Bay will then head out for Horizon League road games against Detroit and Cleveland State. The team returns for another three-game homestand, starting with in-state rival Milwaukee Oct. 3. Youngstown State and Drake will also challenge Green Bay at Santaga Stadium.

The squad will have another two-game road swing against Horizon League challengers when it takes on Butler Oct. 12 and Horizon League newcomer Valparaiso Oct. 14. Green Bay will then host Wright State Oct. 19 for its final home game of the season.

Green Bay concludes the regular season with a pair of first-time foes, as the squad will head to South Carolina to take on Francis Marion Oct. 26 and Winthrop Oct. 28.

The 2007 Horizon League Championship begins Tuesday, Oct. 30, with first-round action between the #8 and #9 seeds. Quarterfinal play is set for the highest four seeds on Saturday, Nov. 3. The highest remaining seed will host semifinal and championship action Nov. 9 and 11, respectively.

Story provided by Green Bay Office of Sports Information