NKU’s Kristen Votapek

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Looking for a team that has plenty of motivation for the 2005 season? Meet the Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer program.

NKU returns its top five scorers from last season’s 15-5-1 team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Norse posted a 9-1 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and finished as the GLVC Tournament runner-up to Wisconsin-Parkside.

A loss in the first round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional to Ashland, however, halted NKU’s streak of advancing to the national quarterfinals at six years. The Norse, who won five straight GLVC titles from 1998-2002, finished the 2004 campaign without either a conference championship or an NCAA Tournament victory.

NKU head coach Bob Sheehan hopes his experienced players will mesh with an outstanding recruiting class to take the Norse on a longer postseason journey in 2005.

“Our returning players have demonstrated a tremendous desire to elevate our level of play,” Sheehan said, noting the five losses were the most for NKU since its inaugural varsity season in 1997. “One of our goals is to attain a higher level of success than we did last season.”

Sheehan will look to a strong senior class to provide the leadership in 2005. Senior forward Kristen Votapek scored a team-leading 11 goals last season and added eight assists. Votapek earned first team All-GLVC and All-Region honors as a junior.

“Kristen Votapek is one of our most improved players. She is physically stronger and technically better than she has ever been,” Sheehan said. “Her tactical sense and awareness has improved drastically. Her work ethic has always been at the highest level.”

The backfield returns senior defender Ashley McGuffey, a four-year starter. Sheehan called McGuffey “a reliable, consistent and strong defender,” and she was part of a Norse defense that allowed just 11 goals in 21 games last season. But the Norse must replace goalie Lauren Piening and All-Region sweeper Robyn Withers in the defensive backfield this season.

Katie Hanck will move to sweeper in 2005

Sheehan, however, is shifting midfielder Katie Hanck to sweeper this season. Hanck finished with five goals and nine assists in 2004.

“Katie Hanck will replace Robyn Withers on defense,” Sheehan said. “Katie is providing sound leadership and communication from the sweeper position, and we expect her to have a terrific senior season.”

Senior Sam Westerling will be the starting goalie this season. Two years ago, Westerling started 13 times at goalie and logged 1,554 minutes. She posted a 0.75 goals against average and had four shutouts in 2003.

Amy Martini, a senior midfielder, scored four goals and had seven assists last year. Amy Law, a junior forward, added five goals and two assists last season. Both earned All-GLVC honors a year ago.

“Amy Martini will continue to provide depth in the midfield, both in the central midfield and on the flank,” Sheehan said. “Amy Law is now an experienced midfielder and striker. She has scored some important goals for us in her previous two seasons, and we look for continued strong performances from Amy.”

Also returning to the lineup is sophomore Jeanna Goettelman, who scored three goals last fall. Sophomore Jayme Light, who notched five goals and four assists last year, is another key player.

“Jeanna Goettelman is a much improved player. Jeanna’s strength on the ball, her fitness level, and her technical abilities are all at a different level than from where she was last year,” Sheehan said. “Jeanna has worked very hard and she continues to progress. Jayme Light is very strong on the ball, and she finishes well. She has improved her ballhandling skills, and Jayme will see time both in the midfield and up front.”

Returning letterwinners Shirley Ernst and Krista Rogers will add depth at midfield. Ernst played in 19 games last year, while Rogers saw action in 11 games.

“Shirley is an extrovert and her personality is such that she provides terrific leadership,” Sheehan said. “Krista is very positive and upbeat and also provides a strong work ethic.”

Sheehan’s recruiting class features several players who should make an immediate impact. Lindsay Brewer, a defender from Anderson High School in Cincinnati, earned first team All-Fort Valley Ancient Conference honors as a senior and was also named Anderson’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Alex Armstrong, another defender from Anderson and Brewer’s teammate in high school, was named second team All-FAVC as a senior.

NKU also adds Kelly Bare, a goalkeeper from Colerain High School in Cincinnati. Bare’s 26 career shutouts broke Colerain’s school record.

Freshmen Carla Schierloh and Ashley Warndorf will contend for starting positions. Schierloh earned All-FAVC honors as a prep standout at Northwest High School in Cincinnati. Warndorf was named All-Greater Miami Conference at Oak Hills High School.

“Carla Schierloh possesses a high technical ability, is a communicator on the field, has an excellent tactical sense, and is a very conscientious young lady,” Sheehan said. “Ashley Warndorf has excellent speed and will see time at both outside midfield and as a striker.”

Five more newcomers, Traci Elliott, Lauren Franzen, Catie Walton, Emily Haubner and Megan Kemme, could also contend for playing time.

NKU is ranked 20th nationally in the Division II preseason poll. The Norse begin the season Aug. 27 by playing host to eighth-ranked Lincoln Memorial at 7 p.m. at the Town & Country Sports Complex.

“Our league is always so strong, and the addition of the three new institutions (Rockhurst, Missouri-Rolla and Drury) make our conference even more competitive this year,” Sheehan said. “We also added Ashland and Lincoln Memorial (both 2004 NCAA Division II Elite Eight participants) to our schedule this year as well, so we have many difficult challenges ahead of us this season. We are a young team, but I am hopeful that we will play with a high-energy level.”