University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutewomen Aim For Improved Season
August 24, 2004 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 24, 2004
When the 2004 University of Massachusetts women's soccer team takes the field this fall, it will be a team looking forward.
Coming off a disappointing 4-12-1 overall mark and 3-8-0 in the Atlantic 10, head coach Jim Rudy would like to forget about last year and focus on the upcoming season. It should be easy to do with the nucleus that he returns.
"I'm very cautious. We've had two years of unfortunate circumstances," said Rudy. "With the death of Stephanie Santos two years ago, many of the players didn't get over it the whole season. And last year, we were beset wih an enormous amount of injuries. If the measuring stick of building character is adversity, we certainly had it.
"We have a young team with only three seniors," said Rudy. "We've got a Kiddie Korp (group of seven freshmen) and a whole bunch of sophomores. But they have talent and I like the look of the team. We need to develop a winning mentality through some tough training and we are doing that well."
Rudy welcomes back 15 letterwinners from last year's squad and if Rudy's drive and focus is any indication, this year's Minutewomen should bounce back and make a return to the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
"I'm not going to get crazy in my predictions, but I really like this team. They work hard, they train hard and they enjoy being on the field," said Rudy. "The young kids are going to give the returnees a battle for starting jobs. We have good depth. We have depth and every position and that is what we are going to need to succeed."
FORWARDS
Headlining the returning forwards is junior Adair Blyler. Blyler started 15 games last season after making six starts as a freshman, and broke through in a big way, leading the Minutewomen with 15 points and six goals. Her points came in bunches, as she tallied four points (1 g, 2 a) in a 3-1 win over Xavier last season and dished out a school-record four assists as a freshman in a win over Temple. Blyler, a quick, technical player, can contribute from anywhere on the field.
Senior Lindsey Fairweather is back after making an immediate impact following a transfer from Boston College. She was named second team All-Atlantic 10 after scoring eight points (4 g, 0 a) in only 12 games as an injury cut her season short. An aggressive player, Fairweather led the team in shots with 50.
The duo will be bolstered by senior Erica Wideberg, who saw action in 12 games, tallying one goal. Wideberg can also slide back to the midfielder position.
"Fairweather and Blyler will both stand out for us," said Rudy. "She is a big-time technician that can be physical. She is great to train with one-on-one because she plays like a guy. She has a lot of deception and just has a lot of individual skill.
"Blyler is really coming on as a playmaker, and is a very smooth and smart player," said Rudy.
Three freshmen will also vie for time as Vanessa Lima, Britt Canfield and Caitlin Footit bring excellent credentials with them to the Pioneer Valley. The speedy Canfield appears to have the best chance at breaking into the lineup. The top newcomer on the squad is the fastest player on the team and she excelled in the team's preseason scrimmage with Siena, creating several opportunities to score.
"All three are a little different. They all have different strengths," said Rudy. "My expectations are that they work very hard, absorb information quickly and be ready to impact if and when they get on the field."
MIDFIELDERS
Junior Lindsey Bellini highlights a young, but talented midfield group. Bellini ranked second on the squad with nine points in 2003. The two-year starter from Webster, N.Y., led the team with five assists, despite appearing in only 13 games. Her solid sophomore season came on the heels of a 13-point rookie campaign that earned her a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team.
Senior Carly Turman provides solid leadership and defensive capabilities to the midfield position. She appeared in 15 games last year, starting all of them and dishing out an assist against Quinnipiac. She has appeared in 46 career games, tallying eight points (3 g, 2 a).
Junior Morgan Czaja, who can also slide back to a defensive position, returns as well. She appeared in 14 games with seven starts last season, also dishing out an assist. Czaja is a grinding, physical player that contribute all over the field.
Sophomore Chelsey Hoffman will push for action after appearing in four games as a freshman.
Two freshmen will also battle for significant time. Jenny Roehrig and Kaelyn Caldwell figure to see action. While both of them of them enter with impressive credentials, they will have to prove it to Rudy on the field.
"Bellini is one of the better possessors of the ball and distributors and she can have success with both feet," said Rudy. "To top it off, she can really shoot. She will lead our midfield position again this year."
DEFENSEMEN
The Minutewomen struggled at times last season giving up goals and shots, but should be much improved in the back in 2004.
Rudy welcomes back four players that missed a grand total of one game. The group may be UMass' strongest unit this season.
Sophomore Nadia Villarroel is the leader of the group. Villarroel is the team's top defensive player and is in great fitness. She played in all 17 games last season, dishing out four assists.
Sophomore Stephanie Barrett was named a 2003 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection after playing all 17 games, scoring one goal in a victory against Rhode Island.
Junior Amy Maffucci played in 16 games and brings experience and consistency to the backfield. She dished out an assist against Rhode Island.
And junior Tiffany Hamill started all 17 games in 2003, attempting two shots on goal. She is a consistent, tough defender in the backfield that has appeared in all 34 games the last two seasons.
Two freshman, Christina Nunes and Tina Rodriguez, also figure to push for playing time, making an already deep position more experienced.
"We have a blend of underclassmen back there, and I think the group's strength will be its consistency," said Rudy. "Villarroel attacks very well and will be quite visible back there making a lot of plays."
GOALKEEPERS
UMass lost the services of record-breaking goalie Kelly Nigh to graduation, leaving a hole that three keepers are trying to fill. Nigh's 249 saves is fourth on the UMass all-time list and she also ranks second on the single-season saves chart (140 in 2002) and tied for second on the lowest GAA chart (0.31 GAA in 2000).
Sophomore Kristin Walker appears to be the favorite to earn the starting nod, despite not seeing any action as a freshman. She comes from a strong soccer tradition in high school, and stopped a remarkable 1,138 saves in her four years at DePaul Catholic in New Jersey.
Junior Kristin Rutland saw the majority of the back-up time last year, appearing in eight games with a save percentage of .709 and a 2.35 GAA. She has seen action in 13 career games.
Sophomore Kalani Blackwell also hopes to see action after not seeing any action as a freshman. She posted 16 wins as a senior in high school, including 14 shutouts, at Oak Park River Forest H.S. in Oak Park, Ill.
"Our goaltending is up in the air," said Rudy. "Walker has an edge on Rutland, but each has her own separate parts that are good. No one has really stepped up and earned the spot yet."
OVERVIEW
Putting the last two seasons behind them is the main thing that Rudy is focusing on as he enters the season. It will be easy to do with the youthful exuberance on the squad.
"We need more training," said Rudy. "More of that will give us more familiarity and comfort with each other. Time will be the big issue, but I like the direction we are heading.
"It the returnees can create the right environment for the newcomers to kick into gear, and I am very impressed with that already," said Rudy. "If our young players can mature and contribute, I like our chances to succeed."
