OCR Text |
Show Coach believes newcomers can improve on preseason ranking By Preston Truman senior sports reportcr-77ie Signpost Even though Weber State University women's soccer coach Lynn Kofocd believes the Wildcat's number two Big Sky ranking this preseason is a reasonable one, she doesn't expect her team to finish second to another. The Wildcats are looking to improve on their 16-5-1 record of last year and go into the playoffs with confidence, poise and a killer instinct something Kofoed believes WSU was lacking last year, even though they advanced to the championship game before losing to Montana 4-2. "We had butterflies going into the final game last year," Kofoed said. "Montana scored two of their goals in the first five minutes of the game, and that's what killed us. This year we will look to be more offensive-minded and jump on people early." Kofoed believes experience will carry her team to the top this year. First team all-conference picks Tara and Tricia Ferrin return for their senior seasons and will join senior all-conference honorable mention Deedra Russell as tri-captains. Also returning for WSU is junior Lisa Anthony and sophomores Tara Swallow and Celeste Collins, who each earned All-Conference honorable mention last year for the Wildcats. "Going into this year we know what the competition is like, we n Going Into this yeor we know what the competition is like, we know what's out there and we know how to prepare for it." Lynn Kofoed WSU womens soccer coach know what's out there and wc know how to prepare for it," Kofoed said. "A lot of Montana's players graduated, and we only lost two players (to graduation), so I think we have the upper hand as far as experience goes." Kofoed has nine newcomers joining her club, including forward Josalyn Jentzsch of Arvada, Colo., who scored the Wildcats' first preseason goal in a 6-1 win over Dixie on Aug. 21 . "Josalyn is a top recruit and we hope to have her liven up the scoring end of things for us," Kofoed said. "She has already proven herself to her teammates, and comes from a team with a lot of experience."In-state newcomers looking to contribute include: freshman goalkeeper Megan Thunell (Mountain Crest); freshman forward Kristin Burnett (Skyline); junior midfielder Karie Hadlcy (Ogdcn); and freshman midfielder Aubrey Smith (Weber). The Wildcat's open the 1998 season at home Sept.l against Boise State at 3:30. Home games are played on the RE. playfield on campus. The Big Sky season will open Oct. 9 at Montana, where WSU will get its first shot at the Grizzlies since last year's final. The team is looking for huge student support, and has even agreed with the football players to go to each others games. Promotions will take place during some home games to help increase attendance."These kids play their hearts out, and the support we receive helps us tremendously," Kofoed said. "Supporting each other is what college is all about." Veteran From page 16 Givcns said a solid core of 500 to 600 fans currently attend the home matches, but a few more victories can quickly turn those numbers around. "We recognize that winning is part of it, but once you start winning you have others that will jump on the band-wagon." That band-wagon may indeed be full considering this year's squad returns with strong junior and senior leadership, malurity and a desire to improve upon last year's record. The Wildcats finished the season a year ago with a 12-17 overall mark while placing eighth in the Big Sky Conference with a 4-1 2 record in Big Sky play. Though predicted to finish seventh-place in the Big Sky preseason coaches poll, Givens seems optimistic about finishing the season much higher. "If you go by what was done last year then (seventh-place) makes sense," Givens said. "But I think we are going to surprise quite a few people." The team is currently focusing on taking every dr.y and every match one at a time and simply striving to improve every time they step on the floor. Givens feels if the team can do that, they will be pleased with where they are at the end of the year. "If we can take that philosophy into this year trying to improve every week, at the end of die year we won't be ranked seventh," Givens said. With 10 returning players, including six returning starters, Givens said this year's team has good leadership and chemistry. He said all the player's gel along real well on and off the court and everyone is comfortable with each other. Givens said even with four new players on this year's team, each one has fit in very quickly and have actually complimented the chemistry that was already in tact. "The good thing about this group js they are pretty intrinsic and they're a very cohesive group and the chemistry is really good," Givens said. "The uppcr-classmen sort of set the tone and everybody else follows in line by following their example." Some returning players this year include: Melissa Leonard (senior, outside attacker), Laura Black (junior, middle blocker), Jolynn Godfrey (senior, outside attacker), April Taylor (junior, outside hitter), Liz Weston (junior, middle blocker) and sophomore setter Robyn Shea, who sat out last year while recovering from surgery on her wrist. Givens said he is excited about the return of Shea and feels she should be a valuable asset to this year's team. "A lot of people have forgotten that Robyn started for us as a freshman because she didn't play at all for us last year and I think she is sort of a forgotten commodity," Givens said. After sitting out the entire 1997 campaign. Shea said she is enjoying practice and extremely excited about getting back out on the floor and competing."Practice is going very good and I'm excited for the upcoming season because we are a veteran team this year which is tine first time we have had thai label," Shea said. "I expect us to be grown up and be able to pull out a match and win when we are in tight positions." Givens expects much of the same, "I think this group is going to win." y 1 V- 4 r arm TME TOJTE IS OUT TMEUE 99 William B. Davis "The Cancer Man" From "The Cancer Man" on October 29th, to the man who lived in a VW bus for 5 years on September 24th, this year's Convocations has it all. Convocations will be held in the Union Building Ballroom every other Thursday 10 to 11:15 am starting September 10th, ending November 12th. Paid for by sludenl fees. For more informulion ciilll 626-6349 September 10 "Women and Minorities in the Media" Ms. Bev Smith Host of Black Entertainment Television's Our Voices, she has gained, through her award winning work as a television journalist, a unique and penetrating insight into issues like diversity, AIDS awareness and women's rights. September 24 "The Journey" I Volkswagon Bus 1,825 days on the road 1 bus fire 2 trips to the Vet I meeting with the President I I parking tickets 27 bounced checks 1 trip to NASA And one Incredible Story told by VW bus driver Eric Saperston October 8 "Buffalo Soldiers" Dr. Micheal Engs The historical impact of the African American soldiers who resided in the west from 1866 to 1916, and how their contributions lead to the establishment of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. This noted historian sheds some light on this little knownsubject. October 29 "The Truth is Out There" William B. Davis He is simply known as The Cancer Man. He is the darkest figure in the hit series, and this summer's hottest movie "The X-files." Davis takes WSU students (his only stop in Utah) behind the scenes and gives a glimpse into a world where paranoia is the only tool for survival. November 12 "Coming Together" Larry EchoIIawk The history of America has been marked by conflict, injustice and pain. The first American Indian elected as a Stafe Attorney General in the United States, shares his insights on how we can draw from past experiences to come together for future generations. |