Stephanie Platt of The Current

Riverwoman outside midfielder Corinne Chik dribbles the ball in practice Thursday. The Riverwomen will rely on Chik's attacking and defensive skills as one of the factors to their success in the upcoming season.

by Dave Kinworthy
staff editor

The Riverwomen's soccer program under third year Head Coach Beth Goetz has seemed to take the next step in contending for the Great Lakes Valley Conference title.

Goetz has brought in more youth, speed, and aggression to the team to form a squad that can compete with anyone.

Samantha Grasshoff, a senior and the lone goaltender for the Riverwomen, will cap her stellar career this season. With Grasshoff standing a strong 5-9 and anchoring the Riverwomen defense, this is her year.

Senior Julie Reiter will work great up top with all of the talented forwards, and look for her to score more goals this season as she has come in to pre-season well conditioned in an attempt to avoid the injuries which hampered her in the previous season.

Melissa Timpe, a sophomore, has improved her aggressiveness and will be versatile for the Riverwomen. Look for Timpe to score a few goals this season off of corner kicks.

Freshman Cara Carrothers out of Wentzville will start at the sweeper position. She has lots of speed and will handle the backfield well.

Defenseman Beth Ostermeyer will probably play marking back, and look for only positives out of this red-shirt freshman.

Dana Thompson, a red-shirt last season in her senior year with the Riverwomen, did a good job with her rehabilitation and has good speed and is a leader on and off the field.

Sarah Kalish, a sophomore from Incarnate Word, came in as one of the top two fittest players on the team. She worked hard over the offseason with her club team and will see a lot of time this season.

Lindsay Siemens, a freshman from Kansas, will be a front runner with her abundance of speed and look for her to blow by some people.

Carrie Marino, the second leading goal-scorer in UM-St. Louis history, returns for her senior season as a Riverwoman. She came in as good as shape as Goetz has seen her. She will have more help up front, and this will be her year.

Corinne Chik, a sophomore, will play outside midfielder for the Riverwomen with her style of good attacking and excellent defending of the ball.

Freshman Lindsay Jones from Incarnate Word is the hardest player on the team. Physically, defensively, and during practice, Jones is the true work-horse of the team. She will emerge as an impact player for the Riverwomen this season.

Junior Meghan Kenney will play at the central midfield spot and will excel in the transition.

Shelly Dixon, a transfer from Southern Indiana, will play a little up top, but is ridden by injuries early this season.

Jeanna Bunt, a senior who did not see a lot of time the past season, will see a lot of time this season. She will be one of the strongest marking backs the Riverwomen have.

Junior Jennifer Terbrock is the most versatile player on the squad. She may shift up top or play in the midfield, but will be an asset to the team nevertheless.

Alaina O'Donnell, a sophomore, will play defensive midfielder along with training for the backup goalie position.

Colleen Ortman, a junior college transfer from Meramec, has good speed and is a scrappy defender.

Jessicah Gallagher, a freshman walk-on from Hazelwood West, will play the marking back position.

Amber Godfrey, a senior from Marquette, is quite versatile on the field. Anywhere the Riverwomen may not match up, Godfrey could wind up filling the void.