WOMEN'S SOCCER READY FOR LIFE AFTER HUDSON

by Ken Dunkin

New head coach Beth Goetz is optimistic about the new soccer season; the team has given her reason.

It finished 16-7 last season. The team returns eight players from last year. No two were more important than mid-fielder Beth Ernst and forward Carrie Marino.

Ernst and Marino were both All-Region selections last season. Ernst was also an All-America selection and scored 21 goals.

"Beth and Carrie show a lot of leadership on and off the field," Goetz said. "They have so much experience it really compensates for some of our more inexperienced players. It calms players down to know that they have teammates like this that play very well."

And with five newcomers who are expected to play a big role quickly, the pressure will mount.

The newcomers will add pressure to the older players who are striving to exceed last season's record.

"There is always that pressure," Goetz said. "But last season this team got a taste of winning. The more you win, the more you want to win. We were in the top of the region last season. It is one of the toughest in the country."

The quick start began last Friday when the Riverwomen played St. Louis University after only six days of practice.

"It let us know where we were," Goetz said.

UM-St. Louis was picked third in the conference pre-season rankings.

A player who will have to play well is goalie Samantha Grashoff. After a year of splitting time, she is the sole goalie.

"We are expecting great things out of Samantha," Goetz said. "She is the lone soldier in goal, and it is time for her to step up. She definitely has more than the ability to do it."

The senior core is also strong for the team. Tammi Madden and Dianne Ermeling will return.

"Tammi would be the last one to call herself a leader," Goetz said. "But, she is definitely a leader on the field. She works hard and plays with that leadership quality."

With a key nucleus and a fresh start, the team is optimistic about the season.

"It is going to be exciting," Goetz said. "But, we are going to get through this together. This season is going to be fun."