2010 CCIW Preseason Coaches' Poll
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's (CCIW) head women's soccer coaches picked Augustana to defend its conference title according to a preseason poll conducted August 3.
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Rankings
Three CCIW women's soccer teams were ranked in the top 25 of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll. Augustana was ranked ninth, followed by Wheaton at 12th and Illinois Wesleyan at 24th.
2010 Team Capsules
Written by Jeff Zagoudis
Augustana Vikings
Coach: Scott Mejia
2009 Finish: 1st (7-0-0 CCIW, 20-2-1 overall)
The 2009 Vikings had one of the best seasons in Augustana history, posting a school record 20 victories, capturing the regular season and tournament CCIW titles and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Division III Championship. With a number of starters returning to the 2010 squad, the Vikings are projected to defend their title in the preseason Coaches’ Poll. The team is also ranked ninth in the nation in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) preseason poll. Top scorer Erin Coulson (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) returns to anchor a high-powered offense with her ’09 totals of 11 goals and 23 points in all, including seven game-winners. She’ll have plenty of help from the likes of Taylor Moesle (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) and Caitlin Winkelman (St. Charles, Ill./ North) who each notched nine goals last year. The defense should be just as impressive after leading the conference in goals allowed (12), goals-against average (0.50) and shutouts (14). Junior goalkeeper Kayla Radoff (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago) will take the brunt of playing time again, especially after earning All-CCIW First Team and All-American honors in 2009. She set another Augustana record in shutouts (11) while leading the CCIW in goals-against average (0.55) and save percentage (.829). Joining Radoff in the backfield will be fellow First Team selection Megan Mummert (Crawfordsville, Ind./Crawfordsville) as well as two-time letter-winners Mary Pat Holtrop (St. Charles, Ill./North) and Kelly Johnson (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor).
Augustana Women's Soccer Website | Augustana Roster | Augustana Schedule
Carthage Red Men
Coach: Susie Foster
2009 Finish: 8th (0-7-0 CCIW, 6-12-0 overall)
The Lady Reds enter 2010 looking to rebound from a season that saw them winless in conference play and finishing last in the standings. The team that hits the field this fall, projected to finish sixth, will look fairly similar to last year’s squad, with nine starters coming back. Rachel Jason (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) will lead the offense, bringing her seven goals and 16 points from 2009. Kelsey Harrington (McHenry, Ill./West) was the third leading scorer last year with three goals and two assists for eight points. Other returners on offense include midfielder Kasie Jabeck (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson), forward/midfielder Maria Korosis (Lindenhurst, Ill./Lakes Community) and forwards Debbie Kozlowksi (Forest Park, Ill./St. Joseph) and Kayla Tripp (LaCrescent, Minn./LaCrescent). Junior Angela Spinelli (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South) remains in goal after making 49 saves and allowing 16 goals in 2009 for a goals-against average of 1.88. She’ll have help on defense from senior Sarah Scardamaglia (West Chicago, Ill./West Chicago), who had two goals and two assists last season, and junior Katy Rosenbrook (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury), who appeared in all 18 games for the Lady Reds last year.
Carthage Women's Soccer Website | Carthage Roster | Carthage Schedule
Elmhurst Bluejays
Coach: Paul Webster
2009 Finish: 5th (3-4-0 CCIW, 10-7-0 overall)
After falling one win shy of the CCIW Tournament in 2009, the Bluejays are looking to make that plateau in 2010. The Coaches’ Poll projects them to finish fifth, one place out of the tournament. With 17 letter-winners returning from last year’s squad, coach Paul Webster at least knows what he has to work with. That includes 2009 All-CCIW selections Stephanie Thomson (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) and Kelsey Caldwell (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South). Thomson netted a goal and two assists for four points in ’09 after missing all of 2008 due to injury. Caldwell tied for the team lead in points with 16 (5 goals, 6 assists) and was third in the CCIW with 0.35 assists per game. The Bluejays as a team were second in assists per game at 1.88. Forward Valerie Wesley (Chula Vista, Calif./Our Lady of Peace) should be another threat on offense after tying for the team highs in goals (6) and total points (16). Thomson will get help in the backfield from Ali Siebel (Westchester, Ohio/Mason), who contributed a goal and two assists for the team last year. Senior Allison Korbel (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) will be a solid presence in the net this season after compiling totals of 56 saves, three shutouts and a goals-against average of 1.18.
Elmhurst Women's Soccer Website | Elmhurst Roster | Elmhurst Schedule
Illinois Wesleyan Titans
Coach: Dave Barrett
2009 Finish: 3rd (5-2-0 CCIW, 16-4-3 overall)
The Titans enter 2010 as one of three CCIW teams ranked in the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA) poll, coming in at 24th. There are high expectations for the team that finished third in the CCIW in 2009 and is projected to do so again in the preseason Coaches’ Poll. The defense should be strong again this year, anchored by senior goalkeeper Alli Novak (Naperville, Ill./ North). She posted a goals-against average of 0.67 in ’09 and recorded nine of the team’s 12 shutouts, putting her second in the CCIW in both categories. Joining her in the backfield is a pair of 2009 All-CCIW Second Team selections. Fellow senior Tori Samson (Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway) brings four goals, two assists and a team defensive MVP. Lauren Knaack (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) was second on the team in assists with six. The offense returns the top three scorers. Emily Hinchman (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) set the standard for the Titans last year with 10 goals, putting her fifth in the conference and earning her All-CCIW First Team status. Carlie Hoekstra (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South) was right on her heels with nine scores and 23 points total, and each had four game-winners. Alyssa Feulner (St. Charles, Ill./ East) kept pace with six goals and two assists for 14 points.
Illinois Wesleyan Women's Soccer Website | Illinois Wesleyan Roster | Illinois Wesleyan Schedule
Millikin Big Blue
Coach: Caroline Bonynge
2009 Finish: 4th (4-3-0 CCIW, 12-8-1 overall)
Millikin edged out Elmhurst for the final spot in the CCIW Tournament last season and is projected to do so again the preseason Coaches’ Poll. Consistency is part of the equation, as the Big Blue didn’t lose one of their 11 starters to graduation. The offense will be led by two All-CCIW selections, both of whom are seniors. Allison Horne (Downers Grove, Ill./South) found the net 10 times, made six assists and was named to the All-CCIW First Team. Brittany Belrichard (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) had seven goals and two assists and was picked to the Second Team. They’ll also have junior Chelsea Jones (Glenwood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) who scored eight times and made two assists for 18 points in ’09. The Big Blue will have senior Natalie Robertaccio (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) minding the net again, whose 94 saves last year were second to none in the conference. She also posted a school record 1.62 goals-against average. She’ll be supported by senior defenders Tanya Romano (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) and Meghan Schroeder (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley). Romano was a CCIW Player of the Week selection in 2009 with two goals and an assist for the entire campaign. Schroeder netted four goals and assisted in another three for 11 points in all.
Millikin Women's Soccer Website | Millikin Roster | Millikin Schedule
North Central Cardinals
Coach: Jenni Kapanen
2009 Finish: 6th (2-5-0 CCIW, 10-7-0 overall)
The Cardinals hope to build on a record-setting 2009 season that saw new school marks set in wins (10) and goals scored (52) despite finishing sixth in the conference standings. This year they’re projected to finish eighth by the CCIW Coaches’ Poll with five starters returning from last year. Amy Frazzini (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg), who started all 17 games on defense last season, will see most of the action in goal with the departure of 2009 All-CCIW selection Elise Manzie. Her defenders will include juniors Erin Martin (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead) and Dominique Collins (Wheaton, Ill./Hoffman Estates) as well as sophomores Stephanie Crutchfield (McHenry, Ill./McHenry Community) and Carli Giglio (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg). April Kutchinski (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) is the top returning scorer from an offense that led the conference in goals per game at 3.06. She notched four goals and three assists in ’09 for 11 points. Sophomores Jennifer Guy (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West) and Emily Page (McHenry, Ill./McHenry Community) each had three goals for North Central last season.
North Central Women's Soccer Website | North Central Roster | North Central Schedule
North Park Vikings
Coach: Troy Edwards
2009 Finish: 7th (1-6-0 CCIW, 7-11-0 overall)
North Park, picked seventh in the CCIW Coaches' Poll, will look to rebound from a 7-11-0 season as they return all three starting strikers. Sarah Hansen (Kensington, Conn./Berlin) scored six goals and four assists last season while Everly Ban (Turlock, Calif./H.S.) led the Vikings with nine goals in '09. Emily McWilliams (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake) returns after scoring six goals last season. Junior college transfer Paty Izquierdo (Bensenville, Ill./Fenton) looks to replace injured goalkeeper Ashley Jacobson (Washington, Ill./H.S.). Devin Garcia (Chandler, Ariz./H.S.), Stephanie Swanson (Palatine, Ill./H.S.) and Kaylee James (Carmel, Ind./H.S.) will look to anchor the midfield in 2009.
North Park Women's Soccer Website | North Park Roster | North Park Schedule
Wheaton Thunder
Coach: Pete Felske
2009 Finish: 2nd (6-1-0 CCIW, 17-4-2 overall)
While the Thunder suffered a few big losses to graduation, including three-time All-American Taryne Lee and four-time All-Region pick Maria Della Torre, expectations are still high for the 2010 edition. They enter the season projected as runner-up in the CCIW Coaches’ Poll and they’re ranked 12th in the NSCAA preseason poll. Three of their top four scorers return to a prolific offense that led the conference in points (191), goals (69) and assists (53). Ali Kopelman (Rockford, Ill./Rockford Lutheran) could be found all over the leader boards herself. She was third in shots (65), goals (13) and points per game (1.39) while tying for second in total points (32). To top it off she scored eight game-winners for Wheaton. Senior Brittany Bergh (Delano, Minn./Wayzata) wasn’t too far off her pace; she had 10 goals of her own and eight assists for 28 points. Jamie Oreweiler (Wheaton, Ill./North) turned in seven goals and four assists to earn All-CCIW First Team honors as well as Second Team All-Region status. On defense, sophomore Val Lelle (Arlington Heights, Ill./Wheeling) brings five goals and four assists from ’09 while junior midfielder Katelyn Kishkunas (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) had three scores and seven assists. In goal will be sophomore Hillary Barreto (Perris, Calif./Woodcrest Christian) who in 23 games made 67 saves and allowed 19 goals for a goals-against average of 0.83, third in the conference.
Wheaton Women's Soccer Website | Wheaton Roster | Wheaton Schedule