University of Massachusets Athletics
Familiar Faces, Different Team
August 13, 2001 | Women's Soccer
by JESSICA BLANCHARD
The Maroon & White
Atlantic 10 Conference opponents might recognize a few familiar faces when they lace up their cleats against the University of Massachusetts women's soccer team this year. With nine of 11 starters returning from last year, it would be hard not to. But, according to head coach Jim Rudy, those faces will be the only familiar thing about the team.
"We really turned a corner this year in terms of physical fitness and weight training," said Rudy. "In the past, our main weakness was that physically we did not match up with other teams. To improve on that we had to hit the iron."
A renewed dedication to the off-season strength and conditioning program has the Minutewomen approaching the season as a stronger, more physically fit team. The previous season marked by injuries and roster changes hopefully will be a thing of the past for Rudy and the Minutewomen.
The team hopes that the emphasis on conditioning and strength training will work as a preventative measure for injuries. Plagued by injuries during the 2000 season, the Minutewomen are looking to enter the season healthy and stay that way. The number of casualties a year ago had an effect on the team's lineup and overall record. Rudy was forced to juggle his lineup in order to accommodate the absence of key players.
"We did a lot of changing of personnel up front out of necessity," said Rudy in reference to last season's injury situation. "This year we are going to define a starting lineup early."
Forward Erin Lilly made some impressive strides last year as a freshman but was limited by a knee injury. She still managed to finish third in scoring with five goals and secure a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie team despite the adversity. Her absence in the forward position forced Rudy to place first team all-conference player Brooke Bartlett into the front line. Bartlett stepped up to the challenge to lead the team with a career-high 21 points off six goals and nine assists.
"If Erin comes into the season physically fit and focused she has some great potential," said Rudy. "We are expecting her to really be on top of her game. We have two freshmen coming in and we need them to follow somebody."
Those freshmen, Stephanie Santos and Erica Wideberg, along with junior Andrea Trujillo, add depth to Rudy's line-up. Trujillo saw action in 18 games last year. Her experience up front should prove to be a valuable asset. Santos and Wideberg are both coming off solid high school careers and should contribute immediately. Both freshmen were named to the preseason A-10 All-Rookie team as voted on by league coaches.
In the midfield positions the team looks strong with the return of two A-10 all-conference players. If Lilly can stay healthy, Rudy can keep Bartlett, a fifth-year senior, at the midfield position. In the halfback position, she can see more of the field and have more control of the play.
"Brooke is much better, in my estimation, as a midfielder," said Rudy. "She is one of the best in the Northeast region at beating a player off the dribble and getting in a quality serve."
Junior Martha Conover, another pre-season all-conference honoree this year, will be a dominant presence this year along with Bartlett. "Martha had a fabulous spring season," Rudy said with excitement. "She dominated on the field with her work ethic and smarts. Just wind her up and she goes."
Other veterans in the midfield position include seniors Kathleen Machamer and Katelyn Jones, junior Kristen Mena, and sophomore Janelle Khouri. Machamer and Jones had career-best years last season finishing fourth and fifth among this year's returnees with nine and seven points, respectively. Khouri saw action in 14 games, finishing her freshman campaign with two assists. All should provide depth in the midfield position.
While Bartlett leads from the midfield, captain and fellow senior Sarah Cook will take control on the defensive end. Cook, a preseason all-conference selection, started all the games last season, anchoring a UMass defense that allowed only 20 goals in 19 games. Her leadership and experience will be an asset to the team. Alongside Cook on defense will be juniors Alexi Rudd and Maggie LaBrode and sophomore Michelle Luttati. Joining the returning players will be two highly touted freshmen, Carly Turman and Brianna Weymouth. Rudd, a junior, should make an immediate impact as an attacking defender.
"Alexi perplexes the opposition with her techniques and style," Rudy said of her unorthodox style of play.
Rudy believes LaBrode, a junior, will have a breakout season as a defender on the left side. Rudy said her work ethic should produce great results on the field this season.
Only time will tell how much the freshmen defenders will contribute. Turman is expected to contribute either in the defense or midfield this season. Hopefully, her solid career at Carondelet High School in Pleasant Hill, Calif., is a foreshadow of what's to come. The other freshman, Weymouth, who hails from Chaparral High School in Phoenix, Ariz., could contribute in the back or as a defensive midfielder. Her strong freekicks and knowledge of the game should help round out the roster.
The last link of the defense includes goalkeepers Julie Podhrasky and Kelly Nigh. Podhrasky, a senior, was selected to the preseason all-conference team after earning A-10 Defensive Player of the Year accolades last season. She finished 2000 with a 7-7 record, a 1.31 goals against average and a .795 save percentage in 16 games. According to Rudy, her accomplishments last season were just a glimpse of her full potential.
"The first half of the season she was getting rid of the rust, after sitting out two years at Clemson," said Rudy. "It took some time for her to get back into the decision making process. She needed a season to make the errors you need to make in order to learn. As good as everyone thought she was last year, this is going to be her breakout year."
Sophomore Kelly Nigh will be backing up Podhrasky in goal. She is expected to build upon her 4-0-1 record from last year. In eight games she had a 0.31 goals against average, tying her for second place in UMass' single-season record book, and a .913 save percentage.
The only thing familiar about the 2001 women's soccer team will be the names on the roster and faces on the field. The A-10 may be in for a surprise when the Minutewomen take to the field this fall.
The Maroon & White
Atlantic 10 Conference opponents might recognize a few familiar faces when they lace up their cleats against the University of Massachusetts women's soccer team this year. With nine of 11 starters returning from last year, it would be hard not to. But, according to head coach Jim Rudy, those faces will be the only familiar thing about the team.
"We really turned a corner this year in terms of physical fitness and weight training," said Rudy. "In the past, our main weakness was that physically we did not match up with other teams. To improve on that we had to hit the iron."
A renewed dedication to the off-season strength and conditioning program has the Minutewomen approaching the season as a stronger, more physically fit team. The previous season marked by injuries and roster changes hopefully will be a thing of the past for Rudy and the Minutewomen.
The team hopes that the emphasis on conditioning and strength training will work as a preventative measure for injuries. Plagued by injuries during the 2000 season, the Minutewomen are looking to enter the season healthy and stay that way. The number of casualties a year ago had an effect on the team's lineup and overall record. Rudy was forced to juggle his lineup in order to accommodate the absence of key players.
"We did a lot of changing of personnel up front out of necessity," said Rudy in reference to last season's injury situation. "This year we are going to define a starting lineup early."
Forward Erin Lilly made some impressive strides last year as a freshman but was limited by a knee injury. She still managed to finish third in scoring with five goals and secure a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie team despite the adversity. Her absence in the forward position forced Rudy to place first team all-conference player Brooke Bartlett into the front line. Bartlett stepped up to the challenge to lead the team with a career-high 21 points off six goals and nine assists.
"If Erin comes into the season physically fit and focused she has some great potential," said Rudy. "We are expecting her to really be on top of her game. We have two freshmen coming in and we need them to follow somebody."
Those freshmen, Stephanie Santos and Erica Wideberg, along with junior Andrea Trujillo, add depth to Rudy's line-up. Trujillo saw action in 18 games last year. Her experience up front should prove to be a valuable asset. Santos and Wideberg are both coming off solid high school careers and should contribute immediately. Both freshmen were named to the preseason A-10 All-Rookie team as voted on by league coaches.
In the midfield positions the team looks strong with the return of two A-10 all-conference players. If Lilly can stay healthy, Rudy can keep Bartlett, a fifth-year senior, at the midfield position. In the halfback position, she can see more of the field and have more control of the play.
"Brooke is much better, in my estimation, as a midfielder," said Rudy. "She is one of the best in the Northeast region at beating a player off the dribble and getting in a quality serve."
Junior Martha Conover, another pre-season all-conference honoree this year, will be a dominant presence this year along with Bartlett. "Martha had a fabulous spring season," Rudy said with excitement. "She dominated on the field with her work ethic and smarts. Just wind her up and she goes."
Other veterans in the midfield position include seniors Kathleen Machamer and Katelyn Jones, junior Kristen Mena, and sophomore Janelle Khouri. Machamer and Jones had career-best years last season finishing fourth and fifth among this year's returnees with nine and seven points, respectively. Khouri saw action in 14 games, finishing her freshman campaign with two assists. All should provide depth in the midfield position.
While Bartlett leads from the midfield, captain and fellow senior Sarah Cook will take control on the defensive end. Cook, a preseason all-conference selection, started all the games last season, anchoring a UMass defense that allowed only 20 goals in 19 games. Her leadership and experience will be an asset to the team. Alongside Cook on defense will be juniors Alexi Rudd and Maggie LaBrode and sophomore Michelle Luttati. Joining the returning players will be two highly touted freshmen, Carly Turman and Brianna Weymouth. Rudd, a junior, should make an immediate impact as an attacking defender.
"Alexi perplexes the opposition with her techniques and style," Rudy said of her unorthodox style of play.
Rudy believes LaBrode, a junior, will have a breakout season as a defender on the left side. Rudy said her work ethic should produce great results on the field this season.
Only time will tell how much the freshmen defenders will contribute. Turman is expected to contribute either in the defense or midfield this season. Hopefully, her solid career at Carondelet High School in Pleasant Hill, Calif., is a foreshadow of what's to come. The other freshman, Weymouth, who hails from Chaparral High School in Phoenix, Ariz., could contribute in the back or as a defensive midfielder. Her strong freekicks and knowledge of the game should help round out the roster.
The last link of the defense includes goalkeepers Julie Podhrasky and Kelly Nigh. Podhrasky, a senior, was selected to the preseason all-conference team after earning A-10 Defensive Player of the Year accolades last season. She finished 2000 with a 7-7 record, a 1.31 goals against average and a .795 save percentage in 16 games. According to Rudy, her accomplishments last season were just a glimpse of her full potential.
"The first half of the season she was getting rid of the rust, after sitting out two years at Clemson," said Rudy. "It took some time for her to get back into the decision making process. She needed a season to make the errors you need to make in order to learn. As good as everyone thought she was last year, this is going to be her breakout year."
Sophomore Kelly Nigh will be backing up Podhrasky in goal. She is expected to build upon her 4-0-1 record from last year. In eight games she had a 0.31 goals against average, tying her for second place in UMass' single-season record book, and a .913 save percentage.
The only thing familiar about the 2001 women's soccer team will be the names on the roster and faces on the field. The A-10 may be in for a surprise when the Minutewomen take to the field this fall.
UMass WSOC | Broadcast Highlights vs Buffalo | 10.09.25
Thursday, October 09
UMass WSOC vs. Northern Illinois | 9.28.25
Sunday, September 28
UMass WSOC | Broadcast Highlights vs Harvard | 08.24.25
Sunday, August 24
UMass WSOC vs. St. John's | 8.14.25 | Highlights
Friday, August 15