Experience key for women’s soccer in 2012

Jim Swing

Sports Editor

2011 record/conference record (CAA): 9-8-4/6-2-3 (reached conference tournament finals)

Overview:

After falling just short of escaping the Colonial Athletic Association with a conference championship in their final year, the VCU women’s soccer team looks to find success in the Atlantic 10. The Rams have been ranked fourth in the A-10 preseason poll.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” co-head coach Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak said. “We were happy because we didn’t know how people were going to feel about us.”

VCU loses six seniors from last year’s campaign but still boasts a rather experienced roster with 16 upperclassmen. Roberts-Sahaydak said her team is experienced as far as age goes, but the challenge will be adjusting to new positions. Two games into the season, the Rams are 1-0-1 with a draw at home against High Point and a decisive 3-0 victory at Longwood.

Forwards:

Having battled injuries all throughout her career, senior Bre White is finally back in the starting lineup for good as she leads a strong group of forwards. Sophomore Maren Johansen earned CAA All-Rookie honors a season ago and coaches indicate her confidence is at an all-time high this season. Junior Courtney Conrad finished last season with six goals, one assist and 13 points for the Rams. Coaches say she is off to a solid start yet again, but the best is yet to come.

Midfielders:

Last year’s CAA Rookie of the Year, Cristin Granados returns after turning in six goals last season, a team high. The Costa Rica native is one of VCU’s premier playmakers and will be a key starter this season. Senior Gabby Wilson is a scrappy organizer who gets a starting nod once again this season for the Rams. VCU’s third starting spot at midfield is currently wide open with senior Heather Hovanesian out with an injury. Junior Brianne Moore has stepped her game up and taken advantage of the opportunity as has junior Taryn Cressy, who is a playmaking attacker that is more capable of stealing the starting spot. Once Hovanesian returns, however, she will vie for the position back.

Defense:

VCU brings a new-look defense in 2012 with many new pieces that will be implemented. Senior Lauryn Hutchinson gets a starting nod after having not been a starter in her first three years. She was recruited as a forward but has been training as a defender. Hutchinson will be tested early on as she has not had a lot of game experience throughout her career. She will play alongside Carly Edgcomb and newcomer Wendy Acosta who has played on the Costa Rican national team since 2007. Junior Bex Kunz has been in and out of the starting lineup as a forward in her first two seasons, but Roberts-Sahaydak said that she is one of the strongest defenders the Rams have to offer. Kunz’s insertion into the starting lineup as a defender comes much in part to fill the void that Molly Allen left behind. VCU’s defense boasts four talented defenders, but the key will be finding a way to successfully work together.

Goalkeeping:

After leading the CAA with a 0.68 goals against average last season, Kristen Carden was a lock for the starting spot once again this year until she went down with an injury. Now the position is up for grabs with junior Megan Lynch and freshman Emma Kruse vying for the spot. Kruse earned the starting nod in VCU’s first two games of the season, posting five saves and one shutout before being named A-10 Rookie of the Week. CT