2008 Women's Soccer Preview
It
was just 10 months ago that a young Pacific women's soccer team put together
a defining moment that Head Coach Joy Boswell hopes will change the fortunes
of her program.
In the last match of the season, the Boxers took national power Puget Sound to double overtime, matching the Loggers goal for goal until Ashley Kanda (So., Kaneohe, Hawaii) scored in the 102nd minute for a 3-2 upset victory.
Boswell, now in her third year as Pacific head coach, hopes the memory of that match provides the motivation the Boxers need to continue improving. "I think this team is capable of very good things," Boswell said. "I think the biggest thing is getting our players to play as a team and getting them to believe they can win. After the win last year, they understand that."
The Boxers aim to move up again with another lineup that continues to be relatively young. The roster features eight upperclassmen and 13 newcomers, but also features eight sophomores who played in over half of the Boxers' matches in 2007.
But Boswell believes that those newcomers, led by Division I transfer Sam Lee (Jr., Ft. Wayne, Ind.), makes up for their youth with a ton of talent and a more aggressive style of play that will balance out a solid defense.
"I am very impressed with the newcomers we have coming in," Boswell said. "They're fast. They're tenacious. They want to get better. They have accepted every challenge that I have thrown at them and I think they will continue to do so."
FORWARDS
To be successful in 2008, the Boxers will have to find a better combination
offensively. The team's 20 goals in both 2006 and 2007 ranked last in the
conference each year. Boswell believes, however, that she has the right
pieces in place to make Pacific a more aggressive team.
"I came from a very defensive mindset of the game, but you always have to have those offensive players that have that knack," Boswell said. "I think we have that. I feel like many of our new players automatically have that."
Much of the offense will revolve around the Kanda sisters, Ashley and Lauren (So., Kaneohe, Hawaii). Ashley led the Boxers with five goals, while Ashley scored two. The pair accounted for all three of the goals in the landmark victory over Puget Sound.
While both players are very technically sound, Boswell said the Kandas have some great intangible advantages. "They're twins, so they have that twin intuition of knowing where the other is," Boswell said. "As they have become more comfortable with the college game and their surroundings, they have really become factors for us."
Shelly Martindale (Jr., Yacolt, Wash.) will see more time after spending a season getting used to the game again after two years away. Martindale finished with a pair of assists while appearing in 19 of the Boxers' 20 matches.
Pacific adds to the mix a trio of newcomers that Boswell believes adds an aggressive style that will complement the Kandas' finesse style. Tianna Martin (Fr., Seattle, Wash.) was an all-state selection as a senior after leading Seattle Christian to second place in the Washington state tournament. Shannon Brown-Spensley (Fr., Redmond, Ore.) brings solid experience after leading her high school to the Oregon state playoffs last year.
Cayla Kitabayashi (Fr., Waimea, Hawaii) will also figure in the mix at both forward and midfield after a successful high school career that included two all-star seasons.
MIDFIELDERS
Pacific has their most depth in the middle of the park with six returners
at the midfield positions. Kelli Ganiko (Sr., Makawao, Hawaii) leads the
corps, scoring a pair of goals last year while making the most of her 5-foot
frame.
"Kelli is very technically sound and she plays like she is 6-foot," Boswell said. "She has quick feet and is so tenacious and gets after it. She is someone who plays like she is three feet taller than she is."
Becca Roth (Jr., Rainier, Ore.), Jenny Novak (So., Dexter, Ore.) and Cheryl Yasumoto (Jr., Waipio, Hawaii) will also make significant contributions. Novak started in all 20 matches as a freshman and finished second for the Boxers in goals with three. Roth also started in all 20 matches, adding a goal and two assists. Roth has now started in all 39 possible matches in her career.
Tessa Krebs (Jr., Puyallup, Wash.) makes her return to the pitch after missing all of 2007 with a knee injury. Krebs started all 19 matches for the Boxers in 2006, scoring one goal while creating a number of other scoring opportunities.
Of the newcomers, Boswell expects great things from Jenna Matsumoto (Fr., Kailua, Hawaii), who helped lead University Lab High School to the 2007 Hawaii state championship. "She is fast as lightning and has great ball skills," Boswell said. "She has an all-around game and wants to attack."
DEFENDERS
After allowing 39 goals in 2007, Boswell is looking to add some stability
to the defensive line. Lee joins the Pacific lineup after seeing limited
action in two seasons (nine matches as a freshman, six as a sophomore)
at Division I Xavier University in Cincinnati. Boswell expects her experience
and her skills to pay significant dividends.
"(Sam) has a really good view and understanding of the game," Boswell said. "She communicates and organizes really well in the back. She is defensively sound and likes to attack. She pushes people up and has a good nose for the game."
Lee will compliment a steady corps of returners that includes Meaghan Hilson (Sr., Sacramento, Calif.), Lindsay Vondrachek (Sr., Newberg, Ore.) and Allysa Omana (So., Salt Lake City, Utah). Hilson started 17 of the Boxers' 20 matches. Vondrachek started seven matches while Omana was an important reserve player who made 16 appearances.
Terilyn Shigeno (Fr., Meridian, Idaho) adds additional depth after four years of varsity soccer experience in high school. "She has great pace," Boswell said. "She sees opportunities to play the ball forward and she's not afraid to get into the mix."
Boswell will also depend of Shekema McCarthy (Fr., Davis, Calif.) for significant minutes. McCarthy has three years of varsity and club experience and led her high school to a California sectional title. "She is fast," Boswell said. "She wants to get forward, has great positioning and looks for opportunities to move up."
GOALKEEPERS
Much like the rest of the lineup, Pacific will work with a great deal of
youth in goal. The Boxers return Sydney Vincent (So., Portland, Ore.) and
Anna Beebe (So., Veneta, Ore.), but will also feature a talented netminder
in newcomer Erin Ishimura (So., Wailuku, Hawaii).
Vincent returns with the lion's share of experience from 2007, starting in 19 matches. She led the Northwest Conference with 133 saves and seven saves per game. She set a single season record when she stopped 20 shots in the Boxers' season-ending victory over Puget Sound. Beebe made one start for the Boxers late in the season.
Ichimura is expected to challenge both Vincent and Beebe for starting time after earning all-conference honors in high school in Hawaii.