8.21.06
UC welcomes back 12 letterwinners: WVIAC Women's Soccer
Pre-season poll
August 21, 2006
By WVIAC Staff
Wheeling Jesuit is a unanimous selection by West Virginia Conference women's soccer coaches to claim their third consecutive league title. The Cardinals, who have won 22 straight contests versus WVIAC foes, received all eight first place votes.
Concord placed second in the voting, followed by Shepherd and Davis & Elkins to complete the top half of the poll. Salem International, West Virginia Wesleyan, Charleston, and Ohio Valley rounded out the predicted order of finish.
New WVIAC members Seton Hill and Pitt Johnstown are not eligible for the conference championship, but individuals will be included in the league statistics and can win weekly and seasonal WVIAC awards.
Wheeling Jesuit (20-4, 8-0 WVIAC) returns seven starters from a squad that reached the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Junior goalkeeper Lauren Lewicki limited opponents to an 0.69 goals against average last season. Junior forward Lindsey Getz had 10 goals and a dozen assists in earning first team All-WVIAC honors. Katie Groff (F, Jr.) tallied 19 goals, while junior midfielder Katelyn Miracle added eight goals and six assists. Katie Rooma (SR.) heads up the defense.
Concord (12-10, 7-1 WVIAC) has ranked among the WVIAC's top squads in recent seasons under head coach Steve Barrett. The Mountain Lions expect a successful campaign with four returning first team All-WVIAC players. Junior forward Leanna Neuner is a top-flight scorer. Juniors Jenny Cleland and Laura Ciccone return in the midfield. Megan Davies (D, Jr.) is a mainstay on defense.
Shepherd (11-10-1, 5-3 WVIAC) will look to sophomore forward Jennifer Corkran as the Rams seek to remain a conference contender. Corkran notched 14 goals and three assists as a rookie in 2005. Amy Bell earned second team All-WVIAC honors in goal after posting nine shutouts last year. Brandie DeWitt (D, Soph.), and Lauren Cepko (F, Jr.) are among the other key players for SU.
Davis & Elkins (9-9, 5-3 WVIAC) improved by seven victories in head coach Mat Santoro's second season. Elkins native Kate McArthur (F, Soph.) recorded nine goals and a dozen assists as a freshman in 2005. Junior defender Kate MacGregor is a first team All-WVIAC honoree. Danielle Anderson (M, Jr.) and Kay Stover (D, Soph.) also play important roles for the Senators.
Salem International (11-8, 5-3 WVIAC) returns one of the league's top scoring threats in senior forward Milena DaSilva, who found the back of the net 13 times last year. The defense should be in good shape with Telma Oliveria (D/M, Sr.) and Bradlee Brown (D/M, Soph.). New head coach Pat McGinnis can turn to an experienced keeper in senior Jess Jones, who recorded a 1.41 goals against average.
West Virginia Wesleyan (3-15, 3-5 WVIAC) will field a young squad after seeing seven starters depart following a rare down year in Buckhannon. Sophomore midfielder Katie Schubert had three goals and four assists last year.
Charleston (3-16, 2-6) could be the conference's darkhorse entry in 2006 as the Golden Eagles welcome back 12 of 13 letterwinners. Senior Emily Swisshelm is a three-year starter and led UC in scoring last year with six goals. Fellow seniors Brittany Elkins (D) and Priscilla Stark (M) add experience. Aneta Pekalska (F/D, Jr.) and Michelle Baird (D, Soph.) were second team All-WVIAC picks last year.
Ohio Valley (2-14, 0-8) has a new head coach as Darren Waldo takes over the Lady Scots. Nine starters return in an attempt to move OVU out of the league basement. Junior forward Ayaka Ito is the leading returnee after scoring five goals in 2005. Sophomore Amanda Bibey steadies the defense.
Seton Hill (16-2-2) brings a winning tradition in women's soccer into the WVIAC. Junior defender Alisha Moulton was an NAIA honorable mention All-American last season. Forwards Nicole Pergar (18 goals) and Ashley Harris (12 goals) are bona fide scoring threats. Junior midfielder Elaine Zaveckas dished out 14 assists and added six goals. St. Vincent transfer Erin Mannella is expected to add more scoring punch at forward.
Pitt Johnstown (4-8) will need big seasons from senior forward Kellie Stevens and sophomore midfielder Alyssa McKinney. Stevens led the Mountain Cats in '05 with eight goals. Four other starters are back for UPJ.
West Virginia Conference women's soccer gets underway on Thursday when Salem International travels to Clarion (PA).
2006 WVIAC Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll:
1. Wheeling Jesuit (8) 64
2. Concord 49
3. Shepherd 46
4. Davis & Elkins 35
5. Salem International 31
6. West Virginia Wesleyan 29
7. Charleston 26
8. Ohio Valley 8
Note: Pitt Johnstown and Seton Hill are not eligible for the 2006 WVIAC women's soccer title.