Returning players hold the key to success of women’s soccer
Image: Returning players hold the key to success of women’s soccer:Women’s soccer players scrimage last week under the blaze of the sun. Intense heat will follow them through the season as many critics expect a repeat of last year’s success.Photos by Jennifer Walsh/State Hornet:
August 29, 2001
With 16 of its 23 players returning to the field for Friday?s season opener at the University of Hawaii, Sacramento State?s women?s soccer team is confident that it has what it will take to make the NCAA tournament.
The Hornets, picked to finish third in the Big Sky Conference in the coaches? poll, are coming off a 9-6-2 record, the best mark in program history. They are hoping their rigid preseason schedule will help them make the necessary improvements to make a run at the Big Sky Conference title.
“The competitive schedule will help prepare us for tough conference rivals,” said head coach Sandra Asimos.
Chief among Sac State?s league competition is the University of Montana, ranked No. 1 in the coaches? poll.
The Grizzlies eliminated the Hornets 5-0 in the postseason last year, and Asimos has revenge in mind.
“The team knows that we have to beat Montana twice in order to win the Big Sky,” she said.
One standout returnee is Lisa Wrightsman, who was named First Team All-Conference and Conference Player of the Week twice in 2000. She also led the squad with 12 of the Hornet?s 34 goals.
Accompanying Wrightsman on offense is team assist leader Lori Kerswell, who was selected on the 2000 NSCAA Scholar Athlete All-West Region Team. Threading the perfect pass wasn?t the only weapon that Kerswell wielded. She also scored seven of the Hornets? goals last season. Kerswell was named to the Second Team All-Conference last year.
Offense wasn?t the only piece of the puzzle that fit last year.
Another school record was set by the Hornets defense, anchored by keeper Amy Seely. Seely held her opponents to only 22 goals.
Rounding out the defense is Brittany Hijlkema, whom Asimos said is the “leader of the defense.” Hijlkema is returning from a foot injury sustained at the end of last season. Friday marks the season opener for the Hornets, as they venture across the Pacific Ocean to meet up with the Hawaii Rainbows.
The Hornets will return to the mainland for a Sept. 7 showdown against the University of the Pacific. They will then host nationally ranked Cincinnati on Sept. 9 for its home opener.