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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – In 2007, Bob Sheehan’s office may as well have been in the Northern Kentucky University athletic training room, as the Norse women’s soccer squad battled injury after injury. “I think at the low point last season we had eight healthy players to hold practice with,” said Sheehan, whose team posted a 12-6 record and a fourth-place finish in Great Lakes Valley Conference play last year. With that in mind, Sheehan has brought in a very large freshman class for 2008, with 12 players coming in fresh out of high school. “We’ve had a tough run of luck with injuries, just the things that happen over the course of a season,” Sheehan said. “That’s why we felt it was important to bolster our roster.” One thing Sheehan, who has six GLVC championships to his credit, knows how to do is find talented players. The strength of this team, however, is its character. “This team has made a commitment to success from day one,” said Sheehan of his players, who spent their preseason camp in Gulf Shores, Ala. “They have worked very hard, they have proven to be very coachable, and when you have those two things you can be successful at any level.” Perhaps the biggest place in which the new talent will make a difference is in net, where the goalkeeping duties are up for grabs between freshman Stephanie Glass and senior Angela Healy. That second name should seem familiar to most NKU fans. It will be emblazoned on a banner in the brand new Bank of Kentucky Center under the title “Women’s Basketball National Champions.” Healy was an honorable mention All-American on the court last season, and she was a masterful keeper for Highlands High School prior to her collegiate career. “Angela has worked very hard in our preseason camp,” Sheehan said of the 6-foot-1 keeper. “She’s doing very well, showing great leadership and an outstanding work ethic.”
Along side her, Stephanie Glass, a standout player for Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla., will challenge for the starting role. Glass maintained a 1.01 goals allowed average with 10 shutouts in 23 games last season. For opposing teams to get to the keeper, they will have to go through the NKU defense, led by sophomore Caitlyn Mueller, whose presence along the back line was a driving force in repelling the opposition. “Caitlyn had a great freshman season, and we’re looking for her to have another stellar campaign this year,” Sheehan said. Junior Katie Guinn, one of a handful of players to see action in all 18 games last year, will join Mueller on the back line, while freshmen Kelly Snead, Elise Schmuelling, Kristi Hofmeyer and Lindsay Rack will fight for playing time. In the midfield junior Brandi Doss, along with sophomores Megan Smith and Morgan Price, will return to maintain the field for the Norse. Doss led all NKU returnees with six assists in 2007. Newcomers Amanda Mason, whom Sheehan describes as a “very technically sound and composed” player, and Samantha Sutkamp, a “hard worker,” look to be the early favorites to break into the lineup. Amie Noll, a senior transfer from Morehead State, looks to find some playing time in the midfield, as do freshmen Hannah Wissel, Corinne Carducci and Emily Martin. Three of NKU’s top five goal scorers return, including senior Lauren Franzen, who led the team with seven goals and five assists. Kendall Day, who missed five games last season with a foot injury, still managed to record six goals and five assists during her freshman campaign. Junior Ashley Warndorf had a four-goal output last season and looks to build on that in 2008. Two players looking to make a difference are newcomers Jessica Page and Kelly Sullivan, both of whom will challenge for starting roles. With a combination of veteran experience and youthful depth, the Norse look to put together a strong work ethic, a fluid team chemistry and a winning attitude into another successful season. |
