Women's Soccer Optimistic For 2011

There is a quiet optimism on Barry's women's soccer team for the 2011 season.

"We're pretty excited about the prospects for this team," head coach Fred Jungemann said, "returning everyone from a nationally ranked offense, while adding depth and quality in every aspect."

The Bucs, who have been among the youngest teams in the Sunshine State Conference over the last few years, will finally have some experience around the field with nine players in either their third or fourth seasons.

The Bucs make another leap forward offensively, ranking sixth in the nation in goals per game, and topping 50 goals for the first time since 2005's NCAA Tournament team.

Emma Karp was named Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year after leading the conference with 20 goals, while Melissa Madrid, the 2009 SSC Freshman of the Year, added 14 goals to rank fourth. The Bucs return 41 goals and 35 assists from last season's offense.

The Bucs will look to improve on the defensive side of the ball, with a solid nucleus of players returning, bolstered by some exciting recruits.

"We are looking for some positive leadership from our upperclass," Jungemann said, "with optimistic anticipation for the season. We feel like the sky is the limit for this team, if we all stay positive."

Keepers

Although losing Mikaela Barbosa, who started 11 of 18 games a year ago, the Bucs return two keepers who both saw action in 2010 and also add another exciting freshman to the mix.

"The keepers are solid bunch," Jungemann said, "and we look forward to seeing how they develop under Coach Liz Morgan."

Emily Brunnschweiler, who has started 13 games over the last two years, returns as the most experienced keeper. She works very hard and has good quickness. She has a 4-8 record with two shutouts in 14 career games.

Melissa Toledo played in two games as a red-shirt freshman last season, allowing one goal in 90 minutes. She picked up a win against St. Thomas in a 4-1 victory. The tallest of the keepers, she has a good work rate and is improving in consistency.

Becca Rogers joins the keeping corps this season. An All-County pick from Pines Charter in Broward County, she led the Jags to the regional final as a senior. She posted 11 shutouts and a 16-4-1 record. A strong athlete with good size and a good, agressive mentality, she has a commanding presence in the box. She will press the returners for playing time.

Defenders

Despite having three of four starters returning, the defensive third will be shuffled around some this season, with some players' roles being re-defined and some talent newcomers.

"As a staff, we're looking to establish more consistency and strength in this year's performance," Jungemann said.

Last season, Haley Struthers, Chelsea Stoeckigt and Morgan Ault all started at least 17 games, but Stoeckigt is the only one returning to the unit as Ault graduated and Struthers moves back up top.

Stoeckigt tied Struthers for the team lead in minutes played as a freshman and should be cornerstone of the defense again this year, if healthy. Stoeckigt has excellent size and defensive mentality.

Katie Lamendola, the only player to start all 18 games a year ago, ended the season in the defense and should open there this year. She is very competitive and hard-working.

Senior Zeina Cline brings three seasons of experience with the ability to slot in anywhere along the back line. She has appeared in 42 games, making 18 starts over her career.

Sara Franz and Danielle Mabie made 16 starts between them as freshmen and bring a solid season of experience back to the team. Franz brings solid speed, skill and versatility having played all over the field in high school. Mabie is a strong physical defender with good presence.

Amber Bender joins the team this season out of Pima College in Arizona where she helped lead the Aztecs to the league title as a freshman. She is a strong, athletic defender with a very competive mentality.

Freshmen Natalie Diaz and Kayla Nanoo could also figure into the mix. Both are aggressive defenders whose play belies their size. Diaz may be slightly more technical, while Nanoo may have a slight advantage in speed.

Midfield

The midfield returns just one starter with Lamendola moving back to defense and without two-year starter Lainie Ferring. Junior Sofia Jakobsson made 14 starts last season and 22 over her two years. She is a strong versatile player and should remain a vital cog in the midfield.

Sophomores Morgan Garcia and Katrina Molfetta both gained valuable experience last year and will look to cash it in for more playing time this season. Garcia started four games in 12 appearances last year, scoring one goal with one assist, while Molfetta started three times among 13 games and had two assists.

Additionally, some of the forwards may see time in the midfield.

"We've added quality and depth across the board in the midfield," Jungemann said. "From our veterans, we will be looking for leadership and confidence, while the newcomers bring a strong dose of creativity and skill."

Lauren Manna joins the team this season as a red-shirt freshman after spending her rookie year at NCAA Division I St. John's in New York. She is a skillful attacking midfielder and should push for immediate playing time.

Karoliina Kroger comes in through the Bucs' Finnish pipeline. She is an intelligent, skillful player who reads the game well. She will need to adjust the South Florida climate, but could make contributions early.

Forward

The forward unit is the most accomplished group heading into the season, led by Madrid and Karp, the last two conference freshmen of the year. The pair combined for 34 goals and 15 assists last season, with Karp earning first-team All-Conference, All-Region and All-America honors and Madrid taking second-team All-Conference and All-Region.

"The attacking third is another unit that had quality and depth added this off-season to what was already a very strong unit," Jungemann said. "We'll be lloking to maintain the high standard of attack we've established over the last couple of years."

Senior Joanna Stewart also returns after a solid season. She came off the bench to score twice and added two assists. She has great pace and athleticism.

Two additions to the unit come in the form of returning players. Haley Struthers, who spent last year on the back line, and Sarah Wolfer, a 2010 red-shirt, give the Bucs a pair of potent weapons with experience. Both players bring speed and a strong attacking mentality. Struthers has nine goals and five assists in three seasons, while Wolfer added eight goals and four assists in her two.

Freshmen Sara Karna and Laura Rockel pack a big scoring punch in a small package. Karna, another import from Finland, is a fast, skilled attacker. Rockel, from Miami, is an aggressive, skillful player with a great mentality. Both could push for immediate playing time in the forward third.

Schedule

The 2011 schedule will ensure that the Buccaneers are road tested come playoff time with only six home games on the docket and 10 games away from the friendly confines.

The Bucs open the season over Labor Day Weekend, hosting the West Florida Argonauts and North Alabama Lions in two crucial South Region matches. But they do not have another non-conference game at home the rest of the season.

They travel up to Columbus, Ga., Sept. 9-11 for an invitational tournament, facing the West Georgia Lady Braves and the host Cougars.

They face off against the Georgia College Bobcats and first-year program Valdosta State the following weekend at the UT Spartans Tournament in Tampa, Fla.

The Bucs close out September by getting into Sunshine State Conference play. They travel to Rollins on Sept. 24 to face the Tars in a doubleheader with the men's team, then return home to host the defending regular-season champs Nova Southeastern on Sept. 28.

The open October on the road at Florida Southern on the 1st, then face NCAA Final Four participant Florida Tech on Oct. 5 at home. After hosting Eckerd on Oct. 8, the Bucs spend the rest of the month on the road except for an Oct. 22 date with the Saint Leo Lions, as Barry will honor the 2011 senior class prior to the game.

The Bucs sandwich a pair of non-conference trips to Palm Beach Atlantic (Oct. 11) and Northwood (Oct. 19) in West Palm Beach, Fla., with a trip to face the Tampa Spartans.
The Bucs close out the regular season at arch-rival Lynn on Oct. 27.