2007-2008 SEASON PREVIEWS

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

The Rams won two meets in 2006, taking home the season opener at the University of Richmond Invitational and the Greensboro Invitational in Greensboro, N.C. The black and gold lose five runners from last year’s team, including Cary Chaffee, who won the Richmond Invitational. However, 10 runners return, including 2006 All-CAA selection Jay Wyss.

Name to know: Jay Wyss (Richmond/J.R. Tucker) finished ninth in the CAA Cross Country Championships last year and finished the season with multiple top 10 finishes.

Player they will miss: Cary Chaffee and Wyss were a one-two punch in many of last year’s races. He finished eighth in the CAA Championships.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

The Rams return 12 runners from a squad that took home one meet in 2006. The black and gold won the Maymont Cross Country Festival but finished in the bottom half of the rest of their meets.

Name to know: Danielle Williams (Virginia Beach/Salem) took home the individual victory at Maymont and finished 18th at the CAA Championships.

Lingering question: Who will coach the Rams in 2007? Interim head coach Tom Black is gone and an announcement regarding the new coach is not expected until at least early July.

FIELD HOCKEY

The black and gold have a new head coach, former assistant Kelly McQuade, who takes over the reigns for 2007. She inherits a young team (four seniors) that finished last season 4-15. The team will have a chance to make an impression at home in October when it plays five of seven games at the friendly confines of Cary Street Field. Hot-shot scorers Jenna Harris (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill), Nikki Lloyd (England), Emily Guerra (Yorktown/Seton Hall) and Emilie Osinga (Netherlands) return to pace the offense.

Name to know: Nikki Lloyd scored eight goals for the Rams last season.

In the coach’s words: “This team is different from other teams in that they are eager to break out of a mold that they have been cast in.  They are fighters.  They are anxious and ready to do anything in order to succeed in all aspects of college athletics, including academics.  These women have shown that they are willing to change their old habits to break new goals.  They are ready to win both on and off the field.”- Head coach Kelly McQuade

 MEN’S SOCCER

With three CAA championships and six NCAA tournament appearances, the men’s soccer club isn’t used to average soccer. However, the last two seasons have been just that.
After a 6-10-4 season in 2005, the Rams stumbled to 4-13-1 in 2005. Head coach Tim O’Sullivan looks to lead a relatively young team (only two seniors) back to CAA prominence.

Name to know: Defenseman Gerson Dos Santos (Sao Paulo,
Brazil) earned second-team All-CAA honors in 2006.
Interesting stats: Twelve of last season’s 13 losses came by a one-goal margin.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The 2006 Rams proved to be dangerous, reeling off an 11-6-3 record, including 5-2-1 at home. As 2007 rolls around, some key pieces from the team are missing. Gone are co-head coaches Denise Schilte-Brown and Chris Brown (now coaching at the University of South Florida) and points-leader Hayley Moorwood (playing with New Zealand in the World Cup). A new duo, Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak, have taken over head coaching responsibilities.

Name to know: Midfielder Stephanie Power (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) was last season’s highest returning scorer. She netted three goals and five assists in 2006.

In the coach’s words: “This coming season we will have a group with an interesting mix of experienced players and relative newcomers. With a strong defense in place, the focus will be on producing creative attacking soccer that is both unpredictable and effective. The team has proven that throughout the spring we can create scoring chances against some of the strongest opponents in the nation. We are working tirelessly to not only build a successful team for the 2007 season, but more importantly we are working to establish a culture that molds leaders and champions.” – Head coaches Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak

VOLLEYBALL

The 2006 Rams put up a 16-18 record last season, including 8-10 in the conference and 6-4 at home. The team will have a chance to show off in front of the home crowd in late August when the black and gold host the 3rd Degree Sportswear Invitational.

Name to know: Freshman Pamela Cheu comes to VCU from the Mexican junior national team and will be an immediate supplement to the Rams ability to control the ball.

In the coach’s words: “The 2007 team will be one of the more exciting teams to watch in the region.  We have been fortunate to compile an incredibly athletic group of great young women.
 We will start the season with a lack of experience playing together, but the majority of players have a wealth of experience as volleyball players.  We have added 10 new players to a very solid group of returners to be lead by senior outside hitter Erin Burnette.  Along with the three players mentioned above we have Ivan Rich, who had a very good spring.  She will be the player our new middles will be chasing for playing time.” – Head coach James Finley