Women's Soccer Preview Part 7: Butler

Aug. 23, 2005

An undefeated spring season and the addition of the highest-touted recruiting class in coach Woody Sherwood's tenure give the Bulldogs reason for excitement. A preseason marred by injuries will now require contributions from the entire 2005 roster if the high expectations Sherwood set will be realized. Horizon League head coaches picked the Bulldogs to finish third in this season's preseason poll. Butler has finished at least third in every season since 1994.

"Injuries have definitely hurt us," said Sherwood, who enters his seventh season at Butler. "If we were healthy, this would be the most talented team we've had here in several seasons. We have players who will step up. We've still greatly improved from the end of last season."

2004 Horizon League "All-Newcomer Team" pick Molly Callon and freshman Lauren Haffner will miss the 2005 season after recent knee surgeries, while defender Sarah Pavlik has still not fully recovered from a knee injury sustained in the 2004 regular season opener. All three were to see significant time this season.

A position-by-position breakdown follows:

FORWARDS

"The strength of this team is definitely up front," said Sherwood. "We're going to have an attacking presence that our fans haven't seen these past few seasons."

Senior Meredith Buemi, junior Kristin Harnest and freshman Jenny Southard have earned starting roles during the preseason. Buemi enters the 2005 campaign with 37 career points, just outside Butler's Top Ten. The most athletic forward according to Sherwood, Buemi has used her speed to earn "All-Horizon League" honors in all three of her seasons in Indianapolis.

Harnest's six goals were a team-best in 2004. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio product is tactically the Bulldogs' most dangerous weapon up front. The most exciting player in camp this preseason has been Southard, a 5-3 dynamo from nearby Noblesville, Ind., using her quickness and relentless work rate to create scoring opportunities. Southard was a two-time "All-State" first-team selection.

Juniors Megan Callon and Marianne Schilling, and freshman Tierney Lanich will also see time at the forward position. Callon and Schilling each have scored two goals in their Butler careers, while Lanich starred on club and high school championship teams in Ohio last season.

MIDFIELD

Kate Lord returns for her senior season, and she will once again be counted on to stabilize the Butler midfield. A three-time "All-Horizon League" performer and 2002 "Newcomer of the Year," Lord's 55 career matches are the most of any current Butler player.

"Kate has also battled injuries in the preseason, but when she's healthy, she'll give us a lot of experience in the midfield," said Sherwood. "She's our best two-way player in the midfield and really steadies the group."

Sophomore Ashley Twehues scored two goals during her rookie campaign and gives the Bulldogs their most explosive option out of the air, winning balls in the midfield and in set plays in front of the goal.

"Ashley has come in with a higher level of fitness and has really had a good preseason," said Sherwood. "She's been dominant in the air for us."

Junior Caitlin Gill will be playing out of position in the midfield this season due to injuries sustained by other players. A 38-match veteran, Gill posted a team-high five assists last season. 2004 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association (ISCA) "Player of the Year" and first team "All-State" selection Angie Muir will see substantial time in both the midfield and the defense after a standout prep career at Carmel High School.

DEFENSE

Sherwood, a defender primarily during his undergraduate playing career at Xavier, has built the Bulldogs around a strong defense the past few seasons. For the first time in several seasons, the defensive unit is the least experienced branch of the Butler roster. Junior Julie Backscheider, a 2004 "All-Horizon League" first-team selection who was on the field for all but 11 minutes of last season, is the only returning starter. Callon and Pavlik were tabbed to start on the outside, but their injuries have opened opportunities for other players.

"We've got an almost completely new unit on defense," said Sherwood. "Julie returns and will help to organize us, but we are definitely going to need others to step up and play well for us."

Senior Kathleen Coyle, junior Jamie Martin and sophomore Laura Miller will see increased time. Coyle is one of three seniors on the roster, while Martin transitions from the midfield, where she had two assists last season.

Freshman Crystal Wright arrives at Butler after sitting out the 2004 season due to injuries sustained in a van accident while her club team was traveling in Colorado last summer. Wright captained Carmel High School's four-time state champion team. Her high school teammate Muir and freshman Lyndsey Olsen of Algonquin, Ill., will join her in the backfield.

GOAL

"This season provides us with the most parity we've ever had in goal," said Sherwood. "All three of our keepers bring different attributes to the position and all will challenge for playing time."

Junior Megan Cappa and sophomore Annalise Larkin return in 2005, while sophomore Kirby Zwickel joins the Bulldogs after playing at the University of Tennessee.

Cappa posted a 2-2 record and team-best 0.62 goals against average last season, appearing in 12 matches. Larkin also played in 12 matches. Her 629 minutes were the second-best mark on the team.

Zwickel enjoyed a stellar prep career at North Central High School in Indianapolis before playing at Tennessee. A two-time "All-State" selection in high school, Zwickel went on to serve as the back-up keeper on the Lady Vols' NCAA Sweet 16 team in 2004.

SCHEDULE

Five in-state opponents, a midseason trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, and the always challenging Horizon League regular season slate highlight Butler's 2005 schedule. The season kicks off Aug. 26 at Louisville, with the team's 2005 home opener set for Sept. 2 against Xavier. Horizon League play begins Oct. 2 when the Bulldogs host defending regular season champion UW-Milwaukee in Indianapolis. The Horizon League Championships are set for Nov. 3-6 in Green Bay, Wis.

Story Provided by John Dedman, Butler Sports Information