University of Massachusets Athletics
1998 Season Outlook
August 02, 1999 | Women's Soccer
The sign above the door in Jim Rudy's office reads "When I walk on
the field I doubt defeat."
It is through his total commitment to excellence and unwillingness
to accept second place, that Jim Rudy has created one of the most
successful women's soccer programs in the country. And it is that
standard that has remained constant that will keep UMass among the
nation's best again this season.
When UMass walked off the field after last season's NCAA
Tournament loss to Harvard, the Minutewomen knew that they lost a
very special senior class of Danielle Dion, Erica Iverson, Liz
Rutherford and Amy Burrill. The all-time save leader Dion, the
All-American stalwart Iverson, the steady Rutherford, and the
powerful lefty Burrill will be sorely missed in the UMass
line-up.
Unfortunately for Rudy the graduation losses have been compacted
by some injuries to key players who would be expected to have a major
impact this season. Rudy has been forced to scratch senior Robin
Smith, junior Kate Webb and freshman Martha Conover from the roster
this season. Smith who suffered through multiple injuries last season
will be sidelined this season as will Conover and Webb who both are
rehabilitating from ACL surgeries.
The 1998 Minutewomen will have a drastically different look this
year. Contrasting to Rudy teams of the past, the strength of the team
will move from the defensive end of the field to the offensive end.
The patient, historically possession oriented style, will be
augmented with speed and sheer scoring power. The foundation will
still remain on the defensive side, but Rudy hopes to exploit the
speed and personality of his team in a way that UMass fans have never
seen before.
Green had an outstanding freshman campaign exploding for a
team-best 38 points (12 goals, 14 assists). A natural scorer, Green
is a feisty forward who plays with tremendous intensity and an
attacking style. She also has the knack for being in the right place
when the game is on the line and UMass needs a goal. Green who's
first collegiate goal last season was a thrilling rebound tally with
three minutes remaining to defeat Michigan, netted six game winners
last season including the lone goal in the Atlantic 10 Championship
final 1-0 win over George Washington.
Kurowski is a natural finisher who can strike in a variety of
ways. A subtle and speedy force, Kurowski like Green, likes to strike
when the game is on the line. In a span of six games last year,
Kurowski netted four game winners including the game winner in a
critical 2-1 overtime win over Dayton. Lecot who came to UMass as a
transfer from Maine made a tremendous impact on the offensive attack.
The 1996 America East Player of the Year, Lecot was the major
sparkplug last season scoring a team third-best 31 points (12 goals,
7 assists). Lecot possesses the full compliment of skills, speed,
athleticism, power, leaping ability and playmaking prowess. Newcomers
Katelyn Jones and Kristi Robicheau are both players who could see
time at the forward position. Jones is a quick, dynamic player who is
likely to play on the flank. A natural lefty, Jones will give UMass a
strong left footed player for the left side. Robicheau is a quick
front-runner who has a high work rate and can probably play at a
variety of positions.
There is no question that there will be major adjustments in the
midfield as a result of the loss of Iverson and Smith. The skill
level and leadership that those two gave UMass in the middle will be
difficult to replace. There are a number of players who are ready to
step up to the challenges. Leading the charge in the midfield this
season will be junior Tarah Tokarchik. Tokarchik who played in all 22
games last year, provides a tactically sound presence on the field.
Despite battling several nagging injuries last season, she made great
improvements in her game. The future looks bright for Tokarchik who
enjoyed an excellent spring really turning her game up to another
level. Sophomore Brooke Bartlett returns after a promising freshman
campaign. A starter in every game last year, Bartlett's speed and
quickness will help key the transition in the new high speed offense.
Bartlett, a strong passer brings some offensive credentials of her
own contributing 11 points last season (2 goals, 7 assists). Junior
Cindy Garceau is a composed and skillful player who could be one of
the best possession players on the team. The strongest player on the
team, Garceau played in 20 games last season despite a chronic knee
injury. Garceau had surgery in the off-season to repair tendon damage
in that nagging left knee and is hoping for a strong recovery.
Three other players will see time in the midfield rotation.
Sophomore Kathleen "Kat" Machamer who sat out last season as a result
of ACL surgery will give UMass another tactically sound player who
has an instinctive ability to read the game developing in front of
her. Another naturally left footed player, Machamer will make key
contributions to the midfield this year. Freshman Sarah Cook another
lefty is a hard driving and dynamic player. A classical scorer, Cook
will bring and aggressive flair to the field. Sophomore Molly McGrew
who also battled through injuries last season will see time in the
midfield as well.
Replacing Danielle Dion a four year starter and the all-time save
leader is a daunting task indeed. Junior Angie Napoli, who served as
the back-up to Dion for two years is the lead candidate for the
starting nod in goal this season. Napoli enjoyed an excellent spring
and summer of training and has developed into a fundamentally solid
netminder. Napoli has made the most of the opportunities in the first
two seasons, yielding only one goal in 13 games played. The test for
Napoli will be accepting the job on a full time basis. Contending
with Napoli will be freshman Cori Stevens. An experienced keeper,
Stevens is a mature player who has excelled at both the high school
and club level.
The road back the Atlantic 10 title and NCAA Tournament will
difficult as the Minutewomen will take on plenty of tough teams. On
the slate this season are five NCAA participants (Brigham Young,
Michigan, UConn, William and Mary and Colgate) and three conference
champions (Evansville, UConn and Colgate). UMass will look to make it
a perfect A-10 season again, traveling through the 11 game Atlantic
10 schedule. UMass will confront a much improved level of play from
top to bottom in the Atlantic 10, but the first step to advancing
into postseason is bringing the championship crown back to
Amherst.
"We will be tested by our schedule early," says Rudy. "Our team
has the potential to be very good, but this team will have new faces
and people making adjustments to new positions. It will be
interesting to see how we gel as a group."Forward
The defensive minded Rudy will certainly enjoy turning to one of the
strongest offensive attacks in recent history. With last season's
three top scorers returning this season, UMass looks to put up
impressive offensive numbers. The triple threat of sophomore Kara
Green, junior Emma Kurowski, and senior co-captain Sophie Lecot will
combine to form one of the finest arsenals in the Northeast. All
three returnees play with contrasting styles, which will make them
both fun to watch and difficult to defend.
" I think that we are going to be a solid offensive team this
season," says Rudy. "We have great speed and I think that Sophie,
Kara and Emma compliment each other very well up front. All three
will give us a strong attacking style."Midfield
Defense
Going into the season the big question mark for UMass this year will
be the defense. The traditional strength of the team has been
decimated by losses to graduation and injury. Both Webb and Conover
were slated to play in the back, but will be unable to as a result of
injury. One of the first questions that Coach Rudy will have to
answer is who will be the candidates to fill the voids left in the
backfield. Rudy however can rest easy knowing that senior co-captain
Amanda Thompson will return to anchor the defense from her familiar
sweeper position. Thompson who has started all but one game she has
played in at UMass is a classic stay-at home defender. Often the last
line of defense, Thompson is steady and dependable and will have to
take command of the defensive unit which is certain to have several
new faces. Joining Thompson in the back will be junior Susannah Nord.
A transfer from the University of San Francisco Nord is a solid
defender who has strong leadership qualities. Nord is an excellent
passer who can connect both short and long and will help key the
transition up the field.Goalkeepers
Schedule
