Messiah Picked To Continue Dominance By Conference Coaches
Junior and 2007 second team all-league selection Amanda Naeher should be a force up top this fall.
Annville, PA — After making it to the Final Four for the fourth straight year and advancing to the national championship game for the second time in program history in 2007, it was expected that the Messiah College women's soccer program would have a target on its collective back this fall.
Thursday it became official.
The Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation announced Messiah was chosen as the favorite to win the Commonwealth Conference crown during the 2008 women’s soccer season by the conference coaches in the annual preseason poll, garnering first-place votes from all opposing coaches for a league-leading 43 points.
The Falcons — 23-1 overall and 4-0 in league play last season — defeated Elizabethtown College 3-0 to become Commonwealth Conference champions, punching a ticket to the NCAA tournament for the eighth consecutive season. Their quest for a national championship came up short, as then second-ranked Messiah battled hard but fell to number one-ranked Wheaton College (Ill.) 1-0.
Commonwealth Coach of the Year Scott Frey brings back all-conference first team players Kacie Klynstra (2 goals, 8 assists), Katlyn Musser and Rookie of the Year Erin Hench (15 goals, 5 assists) to defend their title. Second team all-conference selections Rachel Horning (3 goals, 3 assists) and Amanda Naeher (12 goals, 8 assists) will also provide support. Senior goalkeeper Brindley Beckwith returns between the pipes for the Falcons after a dominating season in 2007, leading the conference in goals against average (0.31), save percentage (.875), and shutouts (18).
Elizabethtown (17-4-1, 4-1) places second in the poll with 38 points and one first-place vote.
The Blue Jays will look to avenge last year’s championship loss to Messiah, 3-0. Elizabethtown was conference champions in 2006, defeating Messiah 1-0. Both of these teams will again challenge each other for the conference crown.
Player of the Year Jenna Russo, along with fellow senior second team all-conference player Brooke Dotterer will lead the Blue Jays in 2008 as each player ranked in the top 10 in points last season. Russo posted 29 points (10 goals, 9 assists) and Dotterer netted 26 points (10 goals, 6 assists). Classmate Angela Freeland will be the starting goalkeeper for Elizabethtown, stopping 43 shots last year while maintaining 0.82 goals against average with eight shutouts.
Arcadia (14-4-3, 4-1-1) comes in tied for third in the poll with 28 points.
A newcomer to the conference, the Knights competed in the Freedom Conference in 2007, advancing to the championship game, falling to Manhattanville, 4-3, in overtime. This is the second conference change in the last three seasons for the Knights after winning the PAC (Pennsylvania Athletic Conference) championship in ’05.
A trio of first team all-conference players Janelle Jablonski (9 goals, 4 assists), Samantha Calhoun (11 goals, 7 assists) and Katie O'Malley (5 goals, 2 assists) will pace the Knights.
Widener (14-6-1, 3-2) finds themselves tied for third in the poll with 28 points.
The Pride have hopes for another playoff bid after falling last season to number two Elizabethtown, 3-1.
Three important players return for the Pride including junior first team all-conference Sam Baer, junior Sarah Schaffer, and sophomore Caryinna Yenchak. Baer led the conference a year ago with 45 points (16 goals, 13 assists) with eight game-winning goals as Yenchak ranked eighth in points with 26 points (9 goals, 8 assists). Schaffer was able to record seven assists in 21 games. Junior goalkeeper Alee Gunter returns after stopping 56 shots and posting 0.85 goals against average with six shutouts.
Lebanon Valley (10-8-1, 2-4) places fifth in the poll with 27 points
Lebanon Valley will look to make it back to post season play, and challenge for a top spot in the conference.
Senior Jenny DiMauro will lead the Dutchmen offensively as she scored 14 points (6 goals, 2 assists) in 2007. Joining her will be classmate Emily Bainbridge and sophomore Lauren King. Bainbridge accumulated nine points (4 goals, 1 assist) and King found the back of the net on four occasions.
Lycoming (9-8, 0-5) comes in tied for sixth in the poll with 16 points.
Six seniors will guide the Warrior attack this season with second team all-conference selection Rebekah Shipe being an important piece for their success. She placed seventh in the conference with 27 points (11 goals, 5 assists). Sophomore Kaitlin Horn will also be a threat on offense as she racked up 21 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in 17 games.
Albright (8-10-1, 1-4) comes in tied for sixth in the poll with 16 points.
Leading the way for the Lions this season will be junior Allison Yoder, the team’s leading scorer from a year ago. She netted nine points (4 goals, 1 assist) in 18 games. Classmate Amy Hoelscher chipped in with seven points (3 goals, 1 assist) in 19 games. Seniors Candice Shank-Otto and Aileen Duddy will provide leadership for Albright.
2008 Commonwealth Conference Women's Soccer Pre-Season Poll
1. Messiah — 43 points (6)
2. Elizabethtown — 38 points (1)
3t. Arcadia — 28 points
3t. Widener — 28 points
5. Lebanon Valley — 27 points
6t. Lycoming — 16 points
6t. Albright — 16 points
( ) first place votes in parentheses
This press release was provided by the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation and the Commonwealth Conference.
