Women's Soccer Preview Part 4: Youngstown State

Aug. 16, 2005

A look at the 2005 Youngstown State soccer roster and even novices can tell that second-year coach Anthony James left no stone unturned in rebuilding the Penguin program.

Only nine letterwinners from last year's team return and a group of16 newcomers have joined the squad. Players have come to Youngstown from Rhode Island, California, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and of course, Ohio, as James looks to regain the success he had at Division II West Virginia Wesleyan prior to taking over the program before last season.

James averaged more than 13 wins and was coming off a successful 16-win campaign before taking over a YSU program that had won 24 contests in its first eight years of existence. Now, after getting a year under his belt, he and second-year assistant coach Greg Mitchell are ready to make last season's one-win season a distant memory.

Last year, the Penguins made strides, but still had some tough luck.The defense was strong point allowing a school-record low 3.5 goals-per game. Seven losses were by two goals or less, with five coming in one-goal decisions.

Headlining the return players are junior forward Maddie Lawther and senior midfielder Sadie Brookman. Lawther and Brookman were YSU's second and third-leading scorers in 2004.

Senior goalkeepers Jennifer Jennings and Caitlin Bestard should proved solid play in net. Bestard started the final four games and eight on the year in 2004. She allowed just 2.62 goals per contest. Jennings did not play in 2004 because of injuries.

Senior defender Casey Dick is the only returner in the back half of the field. The midfield has the most experience of any part of the roster.Midfielders Britta Snowberger, Jessica Yarter and Tessa Brookman all return and senior redshirts Diane Fellabaum and Roberta Johnson will step in and see playing time. Kara Vezza and Brittny Humphrey return alongside Lawther at the forward spot.

Joining the forwards on the roster are California native Sade Tate, Pennsylvania native Carrie Wack, Kentucky native Brittany Ryan and redshirt junior-college transfer Christi Williams.

In the midfield, James has added Nina Pannoni, Kaitlin Messer, Roechelle Boone and Alexandra Lee. Forwards Ryan and Wack could also see time in the midfield.

On the defense, James hit the recruiting trail hard adding six new faces. Sarah Crafton, Keeley Rice, Amanda Polles, Jenna Fink, Caitlin Lee, Joy Hollencamp and Shannon Summerville have all been added. Besides Dick, Pannoni and Messer could see time protecting the goal.

Another highlight is that YSU plays a school-record 10 home matches in 2005, including playing host to the Penguin Classic in early September.

Story Provided by Trevor Parks, Youngstown State Sports Information