Women's Soccer: Youth movement brings roster closer together
Ryan O'Reilly
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: Sports
The womens soccer program is in the midst of a youth movement that provides coach Manoj Khettry with the belief that the culture around his program has changed.
"I think the culture has changed a lot in that I see players pushing each other to be better and taking care of each other and giving support," Khettry said. "I don't know if that existed previously. The leadership from the juniors and even the sophomores has been fantastic for the freshmen."
The Bonnies will have zero seniors, two juniors, eight sophomores and an eye-popping 11 freshmen. Three of those sophomores ranked first, second and third in points for the 2007 team.
The returning sophomores - forward Anna Cunningham and defender Sarah Clark - earned spots on the A-10 All-Rookie Team. Cunningham ranked second on the team in points with 13, fourth for all freshmen in the A-10. Clark was a key component of the Bonnie defense.
Sophomore Marilyn Wargo led the team in points with 14 and scored seven goals. Courtney Bosse was third on the team in points with 12.
Also returning will be goalkeeper Nicole Markert, who split time with the since-departed Amanda Prestigiacomo. Markert stopped five shots in the opener against Marshall.
The freshman class garnered attention from Soccer Buzz magazine for the second season in a row as the class ranked No. 16 in the Northeast Region and in the top 150 in the nation.
One of the more accomplished freshmen is Tori Burchett of Hinsdale, Ill. Burchett earned preseason honors by being selected by the A-10 coaches to the A-10 Preseason All-Rookie Team, the fourth Bonnie to do so since 2000.
Burchett believes part of the team's struggles in a 3-1 opening season loss to Marshall stemmed from nerves.
"It was our first home game for the freshmen so we were all a little nervous coming out and maybe it played with our heads a little bit," Burchett said.
Sophomore Anna Cunningham scored the only goal for the Bonnies after classmate Courtney Bosse found her on a cross.
As for improvements for the team's next match against Cleveland State today at 5 p.m., junior Sarah Wolcott said, "I think being ready is all we can work for and actually to make sure we compete for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, 110 minutes if we have to."
"I think the culture has changed a lot in that I see players pushing each other to be better and taking care of each other and giving support," Khettry said. "I don't know if that existed previously. The leadership from the juniors and even the sophomores has been fantastic for the freshmen."
The Bonnies will have zero seniors, two juniors, eight sophomores and an eye-popping 11 freshmen. Three of those sophomores ranked first, second and third in points for the 2007 team.
The returning sophomores - forward Anna Cunningham and defender Sarah Clark - earned spots on the A-10 All-Rookie Team. Cunningham ranked second on the team in points with 13, fourth for all freshmen in the A-10. Clark was a key component of the Bonnie defense.
Sophomore Marilyn Wargo led the team in points with 14 and scored seven goals. Courtney Bosse was third on the team in points with 12.
Also returning will be goalkeeper Nicole Markert, who split time with the since-departed Amanda Prestigiacomo. Markert stopped five shots in the opener against Marshall.
The freshman class garnered attention from Soccer Buzz magazine for the second season in a row as the class ranked No. 16 in the Northeast Region and in the top 150 in the nation.
One of the more accomplished freshmen is Tori Burchett of Hinsdale, Ill. Burchett earned preseason honors by being selected by the A-10 coaches to the A-10 Preseason All-Rookie Team, the fourth Bonnie to do so since 2000.
Burchett believes part of the team's struggles in a 3-1 opening season loss to Marshall stemmed from nerves.
"It was our first home game for the freshmen so we were all a little nervous coming out and maybe it played with our heads a little bit," Burchett said.
Sophomore Anna Cunningham scored the only goal for the Bonnies after classmate Courtney Bosse found her on a cross.
As for improvements for the team's next match against Cleveland State today at 5 p.m., junior Sarah Wolcott said, "I think being ready is all we can work for and actually to make sure we compete for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, 110 minutes if we have to."
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