Spring Break
Strong finish last year has women's soccer ready
Brett Fischer
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Sports
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Despite struggling, the Dragons finished the season strong and outscored their CAA opponents 3-2 the last four games of the year - and they are expecting that momentum to roll over.
But losing some key starters might not be easy for this team, and it may turn into a rebuilding season.
"Since we lost two defensive starters, a lot of our focus is on building back our defense," Aleka Yiantsos, Drexel's all-time leading scorer said. "Last year we lost many games by only one goal so we feel like that is our top priority."
The women's soccer team must rely on their incoming players to have a chance at making the CAA Tournament.
"Another focus is on the 10 incoming players who have a lot to offer," Yiantsos said. "Once we get to know each other's playing styles a little better, we will be able to put together not only a strong defense but offense as well."
Something that may help this team get off to a good start is playing three of its first four games at home. During the past two years, the Dragons were 4-16-2 in the CAA, but an impressive 10-7-2 overall at home.
"Our home record was a positive for us last year, so in order to improve on last year's record, we will need to be more competitive on the road," coach Ray Goon said.
The women's soccer team has a disappointing 1-14-2 road record since the 2006 season, but was 5-2-1 at home last year.
"Yes, we have a tendency to play better at home especially when we have a larger crowd," All-Conference Goalie Kaitlin Bond said. "So coming out and winning all of our home games, I think will get us out to the start we need."
The Dragons have to put a strong focus toward their conference to compete in the division.
"We've improved on our conference record in each of the last two seasons and we will look to continue that trend," Goon said. "Our main goal will be to play to our potential as consistently as possible. If we do this, I believe that all the other items of scoring goals [and] increasing the number of conference wins should fall into place."
Losing some of their best players doesn't help the cause, but Bond is hoping younger players will step up in their absence.
"[It hurts to lose] two of our four defenders, Kim Kabernagel and Christine Murta," Bond said. "They were two solid defenders, but hopefully we will have some freshman and upperclassmen to fill their shoes."
The first four opponents are Iona, Rider, Fairleigh Dickinson and New Jersey Institute of Technology. Only the Fairleigh Dickinson game Sept. 5 is on the road.
It will take a lot of collaboration and dedication from these athletes to make a run in the conference, but for the women's soccer team, the sky is the limit.
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