Women's Soccer Preview Part 6: UW-Green Bay
Aug. 18, 2005
Despite a 5-11-3 season last year, the UW-Green Bay women's soccer team had its share of highlights, culminating with the team's 1-0 victory at Butler in the 2004 Horizon League Championships. Not only did the win catapult the Phoenix to the league semifinals for the second straight season, but was just the second victory for UW-Green Bay over the Bulldogs -- and the first in Indianapolis.
Although the Phoenix had a rocky 2004 campaign, the squad has plenty to build on, including a pair of first team all-league performers as part of a solid core of returnees. Head coach Quinn Ross and his UW-Green Bay team aim to once again be a competitive side in the Horizon League.
SENIORS
Two-time first team all-league selection and 2003 Horizon League Co-Player of the Year Sarah Oligney returns for her final season with the Phoenix. A leader by example both on and off the field, Oligney will be the go-to player once again in the attack as the team's top center midfielder. For her career, Oligney, who is already second in Phoenix recordbooks with 19 assists, is on pace to finish in the top five in team history for career points.
Two-year captain Natalie Brown will once again occupy the defensive midfield role for the Phoenix for the fourth straight season. A vocal leader with strength in the air, Brown will be looked upon to be a presence for all 90 minutes.
After spending last season as a top reserve, senior midfielder Catherine Kadar will be called upon to bring her vast experience and composure in the center of the field. Kadar, a triple major off the field, will look to return to the starting lineup in 2005.
JUNIORS
A group of seven juniors is led by first team all-Horizon League forward Stephanie Gross. Gross led the Phoenix in 2005 with 17 points on six goals and five assists, having a hand in 44 percent of the team's goals. This season, the 5-6 forward will again be a go-to player in the attack, utilizing her speed in counterattacks and on the flank.
After a goal-scoring spree as a freshman, central defender Dixie Schubert anchored the Phoenix back line last year. Arguably the toughest player on Coach Ross' roster, Schubert's hard tackles and stamina make her a feared defender in the Horizon League.
Making the transition from the midfield to the defense this season is Kari Olsen. A part-time starter for two years, Olsen's athletic ability will be a welcome asset to the team's back line. Olsen also has the ability to start the attack from the defense, as the Green Bay native has 12 career points.
After missing the 2003 campaign due to injury, junior Dawn Detrie had an impact last fall, notching a pair of goals on the year. A versatile player, Detrie enters the 2005 campaign designated as a midfielder, but may see time as both a defender and a forward.
Defender Alyson Van Lith earned her stripes in 2004, as the Appleton, Wis. native made her first collegiate start against #1 Notre Dame and was assigned to halting All-America attacker Candace Chapman. Van Lith not only held Chapman scoreless but went on to start the remaining 10 games for the Phoenix. The defender also earned her second straight 110 Percent Award, as selected by her Phoenix teammates.
Looking to have an impact this year is midfielder Meghan Merryfield. The redshirt junior from Eau Claire, Wis., saw action in 17 contests last fall and aims to crack the starting lineup this season, utilizing her stamina as an outside midfielder.
SOPHOMORES
The 2004 freshman class had ample opportunity to have an impact on a youthful Phoenix squad, and no one stepped up bigger than rookie goalkeeper Brooke Wikgren. Now a seasoned sophomore with a year's experience between the pipes, Wikgren was named to the Horizon League's All-Newcomer squad as well as being tabbed the team's rookie of the year. With her strong work ethic and fearless mentality, Wikgren will be called upon to anchor the Phoenix defense in 2005.
Also having an impact last season on the defense was local product Sarah Clayton. Clayton made 13 starts as a newcomer, thanks to her ability to man mark as well as utilize her physical style. Clayton, from nearby Pulaski High School, also tallied her first career point with an assist against UW-Milwaukee Sept. 21.
Leah Larson got into the groove of collegiate soccer midway through the 2004 year, notching a pair of goals during the Horizon League season. Her strike against Youngstown State was not only her first collegiate goal, but marked the first game-winner of her career.
Returning after a season-ending knee injury a year ago, midfielder Amanda Brown is expected to be back to form this fall. Prior to her injury as a freshman, Brown took the field for 12 contests and made one start in the Phoenix midfield.
With an injury-plagued season long behind her, midfielder Jennie Gorwitz will look to break into a more prominent role with the Phoenix in her sophomore campaign. Gorwitz, a native of nearby Appleton, Wis., made one start in 16 games last year.
Another transfer coach Ross added for this year and expects an immediate impact from is Lotte Rasmussen. A native of Samsoe, Denmark, Rasmussen becomes just the first player from beyond North America to take the field for the Phoenix women. Rasmussen spent two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, redshirting one, and will have three seasons remaining for UW-Green Bay.
FRESHMEN
Seven true freshmen along with a redshirt make up Ross' 2005 freshmen class. Unlike last season's group that was almost exclusively Wisconsin recruits, this year's newcomers hail from Minnesota, Illinois and as far away as British Columbia as well as the Dairy State.
After sitting out the 2004 season with a medical redshirt, midfielder Allie Knutson is ready to have an impact for the Phoenix. Knutson has fleet feet on the outside and a nose for the goal in the attack.
One of the notable freshmen Ross has brought in for the 2005 campaign is Claire Townsend from West Bend, Wis. An All-State selection for West Bend West, Townsend brings not only a 5-9 frame to the midfield, but her scoring prowess as well.
Coach Ross addressed the need for offense with Canadian Lindsay Cervenko. A native of British Columbia, Cervenko was a three-time conference all-star.
A pair of All-State defenders joins the Phoenix roster this fall in Ashley Repech and Sharon Zurbey. Repech earned All-State accolades as a senior at Delavan-Darien High School while Zurbey, a 5-6 back from Minnesota, was twice honored as an All-State defender.
Illinois product Maria Vittorio will provide depth for the Phoenix in the midfield. Vittorio was an all-sectional selection as a senior and led her team in both scoring and assists in her final season.
Local goalkeeper Pam Luckow will back up Wikgren in the nets. As a prep at Kaukauna High School, Luckow tallied 757 career saves, including 278 as a senior.
SCHEDULE
The 2005 season features multiple highlights, including all three in-state Division I foes facing the Phoenix on UW-Green Bay's home turf. And, for the first time since the 1995 campaign, the Horizon League Championship comes to Titletown, as Santaga Stadium will host the eight-team tournament Nov. 3-6.
For the first time since 1999, UW-Green Bay starts the season on the road with a pair of contests in Illinois, kicking off the season Aug. 26 against long-time rival Northern Illinois. The Phoenix will also take on Illinois State on the road swing.
UW-Green Bay will then start the 2005 home slate with its Homecoming contest against Indiana State Sept. 2 before hosting Marquette in a rare Sunday evening match.
The Phoenix will then have four non-conference road games, including the McAlisters Deli South Louisiana Shootout, before returning home to take on instate and Horizon League rival UW-Milwaukee Friday, Sept. 23 at home. It will be the first of six straight league games for UW-Green Bay.
Following the contest with the Panthers, the Phoenix will host Loyola before heading east to take on NCAA tournament second round opponent, Detroit, at Titan Field. UW-Green Bay wraps up the league string with games at Cleveland State and Butler and home versus Wright State.
From there, the Phoenix will face IPFW before returning home to host Wisconsin Oct. 20 and Youngstown State for Senior Day Oct. 23. UW-Green Bay will wrap up the regular season at Drake prior to returning to Green Bay to host the Horizon League championship.
Story Provided by Sheila Blackman, UW-Green Bay Sports Information
