NEW SOCCER PLAYERS MAY NEIGHTEN RIVERWOMEN'S CHANCES FOR SUCCESS THIS YEAR

Recruits will "take pressure off" returning, more experienced players

by Ken Dunkin

With the addition of several new scorers, the Riverwomen soccer team is hoping for a balanced attack when the season starts. With several new players in the forward position, the team has changed.

Six new players have helped to change the offense on the team. "I think this team has a new look with all the new players," said Beth Goetz, interim head coach. "There are a lot more play-makers. Plus the scoring responsibility should be spread more evenly around the field. Before, it was on the shoulders of a few people."

The load fell on goal scorers Beth Ernst and Carrie Marino last season.

Both return as two definite goal-scorers for the Riverwomen. Ernst scored 20 goals last season.

Marino had 17. Both were All-Region selections last season.

"Without a doubt any ball that goes though our midfield goes through Beth," Goetz said. "She distributes the ball so well. We can't do without her. She is in the right position all the time."

Though she did lead the team in every offensive category, Ernst is happy that the new players are ready to play.

"Hopefully we will have a wide range of scorers," Ernst said. "The newcomers will definitely take the pressure off of us."

One key to helping change the Riverwomen has been transfer Diane Pullman.

She attended UM-Columbia last season before transferring to UM-St. Louis. She should see a lot of playing time.

"She has such a tremendous work rate," Goetz said. "She works so hard that she makes the other players work even harder because they have to. They have to play harder to keep up with her."

The team has also experimented with players to play beside Marino at forward. The leading candidate appears to be Jenny Terbrock.

"She seems to find that little gap to get the ball through," Goetz said. "Julie Reiter will play up front also. By sharing the responsibility up front, they will help ease the load on everybody."

The newcomers could help Marino the most of all.

"They will help her by easing the load," Goetz said. "She won't have to create miracles all the time."

As with all situations, it will take time for these players to gel into the program.

But, Goetz said that these players have stepped up and are ready now.

"A lot of times, it takes a few games to fit in, but these players are ready now," Goetz said.