C of I Women's Soccer Looks for Banner 2008
CALDWELL, Idaho -- Coming off its first-ever back-to-back playoff appearances, first-ever home playoff game, and first-ever playoff win, optimism is at an all-time high for The College of Idaho women’s soccer team heading into the new season. After posting a 5-3-2 Cascade Conference record, good enough for fourth place, and a 9-7-3 overall mark – ranking second all-time in single-season wins -- the program has come full circle from a 1-16 mark in 2004. Returning 12 players, including seven starters from last season, along with possibly the best recruiting class in program history, the Yotes have the firepower to challenge the elite in the CCC.
CCC PRESEASON POLL: The C of I was picked to finish fourth in the 11-team Cascade Conference, as the 2008 Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Monday. The Lady Yotes received 85 voter points - just four points behind third-place Southern Oregon. The No. 4 ranking in the poll is the highest preseason nod The C of I has received in school history. Eight-time defending CCC champion, Concordia, was the unanimous choice to win the league crown, followed by Corban, Southern Oregon, and the Lady Yotes. Oregon Tech was fifth, followed by Northwest, Evergreen State, Cascade, Warner Pacific, Eastern Oregon, and Northwest Christian.
LAST SEASON / PLAYERS LOST: 2007 was a banner year for the Lady Yotes – as the Purple and Gold advanced to the semifinals of the Cascade Conference Tournament. The squad went 3-1-1 against NAIA Region I foes in non-conference competition – earning victories of Rocky Mountain, Westminster, and Great Falls, recording their first-ever tie against national power Simon Fraser, and lost a tough 1-0 decision to Top-10 Carroll. In league play, the Yotes recorded their first-ever back-to-back road shutouts and wins, sweeping the Southern Oregon-Oregon Tech trip, helping the team finish fourth in the league standings. In the playoffs, The C of I stopped Cascade, 1-0, and led Concordia, 1-0, after 45-minutes in the semis, before eventually losing. Five key players are gone from 2007 – including recent graduates Leah Roach (who had 18 career goals), Katie Ball (two-time All-CCC) and Laura Fink. Midfielder Kat Becker chose not to play her senior season, while keeper Amy Rhoades will miss the season recovering from her battle with breast cancer.
POSITION BY POSITION – GOALKEEPERS: The net minders for the 2008 season will help control the back third for the Lady Yotes, with a two-year starter and a true freshman vying for playing time. Junior Sadie Hughes (Courtenay, B.C. / Vanier SS) will begin the season as the starter, where she posted a 5-5 record and a 1.73 GAA last season (an 0.77 GAA in matches not involving Concordia). Hughes is battle tested, having played in 26 career games, recording six shutouts. Joining her this season in the net is Tracy Diaz (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS), who is coming off a fabulous high school career. Diaz recorded three shutouts during the 2007 5A state tournament, leading her squad to the title. “Hughes goes into the season as our starting keeper,” said head coach Niki Taylor. “Diaz has looked strong in training and will be a good addition for our team.”
POSITION BY POSITION – DEFENSE: After recording a school-record seven shutouts in 2007, the Yote defenders have a lot to live up to this season – especially since three newcomers will step onto the field for the first time. Keying the backs is transfer Lauren Winterholler (Idaho Falls, Idaho / North Idaho CC), who led NIC to a Region 18 championship and earned All-Region honors. Also in the back for the Yotes will be freshmen Justine Hawkins (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS) and Jessica Patton (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) – both top defenders in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference last year. “Our young back line has a lot of speed and aggressiveness,” said Taylor. “Winterholler should be able to win balls in the back.” Two players return to the squad – sophomore Messica Garrison (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS), who started 13 games as a freshman, and Jessica Brotherton (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS), who has played in 30 matches during her career.
POSITION BY POSITION – MIDFIELD: The deepest group for the Lady Yotes is in the midfield, as five players with considerable starting experience return. Anchoring the midfield is sophomore Colleen Smith (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS), a physical player who was having a spectacular freshman season before it was cut short by injury. Joining her is four-year starter Allie Dufault (Irvine, Calif. / University HS), who has scored ten goals in her career, three-year starters Emily Dickerson (Nampa, Idaho / Vallivue HS) and Mandy Greif (Payette, Idaho / Payette HS), and two-year starter Brittany Hulin (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS). A trio of freshmen will battle the veterans for playing time – Chelsea Heffner (Meridian, Idaho / Mountain View HS), Jordan Huttash (Nampa, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), and Anne Ball (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS). “Smith looks great coming off her injury,” said Taylor. “I really like the speed of our outside midfielders.”
POSITION BY POSITION – FORWARDS: Taylor worked hard during the off-season to try and add some scoring punch for the Coyotes, who scored just 17 goals last season – less than one goal per game. Returning strikers Amanda Barrieau (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), who scored four goals as a freshman, and Jamie Reichel (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS), who scored three goals as a freshmen, will be improved with a year of college experience under their belt. They will be complimented by rookies Macy Egerman (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) and Kelly Hardegree-Ullman (Boise, Idaho / Mountain View HS), two of the top scorers in the 5A ranks last year. “We have a great forward line this year,” said Taylor. “I look for our scoring to be much improved this season.”
NON CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: Once again this year, the Lady Yotes will have a very competitive eight-game preseason schedule – which will include three home games. The squad opens the 2008 season with their first-ever trip to Cailfornia, playing three games in four days against Division III opponent Mills College, and NAIA schools Dominican University and Holy Names University. They then return home to play three early September games against Frontier Conference opponents Rocky Mountain, Great Falls, and 2007 Region I Champion, Carroll College. The C of I will also rekindle their Canyon County rivalry with Northwest Nazarene and play a neutral field game vs. Simon Fraser in October.
CASCADE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: With the addition of direct conference qualification for national championships in 2008 (replacing the regional method), the ten-game Cascade Conference schedule is that much more important to the Lady Yotes. Six of the 11 teams in the loop will qualify for the postseason tournament, with the champion earning an automatic berth to the NAIA Championships. Once again, eight-time defending league champs, Concordia, stand in the way – as the Cavaliers return CCC Offensive Player of the Year, Jessica Ramback, and CCC Defensive Player of the Year, Jackie Pronovost. CU did not allow a goal in CCC play last season – with their lone goal allowed against a CCC team coming against the Yotes in the CCC tourney semis. Corban and Southern Oregon look to be improved in 2008, as both teams struggled in tight games last season. Oregon Tech is coming off their best season in school history, while Northwest and Evergreen State had good recruiting classes. Cascade looks to rebuild after a surprising 2007 season, while Warner Pacific, Eastern Oregon, and Northwest Christian looking to improve on last season.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote women’s soccer program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmenssoccer.htm.