Senior captain Lindsey Blessing is looking to lead the Lady Eagles in '08.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – When Lock Haven University head women’s soccer coach Heather Davis looks at her team, she notices a lot of differences and it’s those same differences that have her very excited about the 2008 season.

There are a lot of unknowns with this team and that has her pleased, as she has a very young team including a 12-women freshman class.

Davis does also note there are some very talented young players returning.

“Our greatest asset is our unpredictability, nobody knows what we have,” Davis said. “We’re going to look a little different and I’m excited about what we have.

She should be excited as there is talent returning in youthful forms, which could breed major success for the Lady Eagles in ’08. Lock Haven only has one senior on the squad.

If everything goes well, The Haven can certainly put themselves in contention to battle for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship.

One goal for Davis and her squad will be to improve on the 8-10-1 record from a year ago. The team went 3-6-1 in PSAC Western Division matches.



This season the PSAC and the Lady Eagles also welcome Gannon and Mercyhurst Universities to PSAC West play which only strengthens the division.

Davis feels the team’s success lies in how well the freshmen step up, but she is very confident they can just that.

Along with the 12 rookies, Davis also welcomes one transfer in the form of sophomore Caitlyn Slattery (Williamsport, Pa./UMBC).

Attack:

The attack is what Davis refers to as one the team’s biggest strengths.

Lock Haven returns sophomore Arielle Gordon (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata), the Lady Eagles top returning player. She enjoyed a very solid rookie campaign capping it off with an all-conference selection. She scored four goals and added four assists a year ago and will be looked upon to score big goals for the team this season.

Also returning to help the lead the attack is junior Melinda Dodson (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) who had three goals last season. Fellow classmate Kellie Wieger (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) will also be looked about to help lead the attack.

Newcomers Brianna Orth (Hershey, Pa./Hershey), Carly D’Orsaneo (Elverson, Pa./Living Wood Academy) and Lauren Weikel (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) are a trio of players Davis is looking to for an immediate impact.

Midfield:

Leading the midfield will be senior captain Lindsey Blessing (Fredericksburg, Pa./Governor Mifflin), who will be looked upon to direct The Haven’s play.

Davis calls her a tremendous leader and a player who has improved drastically. She is looking for Blessing to be the field leader and knows she will do big things this year.

Junior Rachel Rorke (Stewardstown, Pa./Kennard-Dale) will also be looked upon to make an impact in the midfield. She saw solid action a year ago.

Also returning to lead the midfield will be Jen Williams (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield), Brittany Cranmer (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Moutain) and Heidi Weller (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg), all of whom will all be keys in the middle of the field for Lock Haven.

Cranmer will be a key to the attacking midfield dynamic.

Slattery, the Division I transfer will also be looked upon to make an immediate impact for the Lady Eagles in the midfield.

Defense:

Defensively, the Lady Eagles have a completely new look after the 2007 exit of the starting back line and goalkeeper.

Davis is looking to sophomore Jessie Cox (Ephrata, Pa / Ephrata) to step-up and help lead the young, but talented back line.

Angela Rineer (Shillington, Pa./Governor Mifflinburg) and Courtney Johnson (Alexandria, Va./Edison) both look to help anchor LHU’s defensive unit.

Sophomore Alissa Gamelier (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) saw limited time as a freshman, but has experience and should be a huge factor this season.

Freshman Lauren Heimer (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain), a local product should make an immediate impact on the pitch.

Goalkeeper:

The goalkeeper spot will be a battle.

Returning is junior Katie Smithmyer (Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte).

Freshmen Kim Bentley (Springdale, Pa./Springdale) and Hayley Zinn (Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing) will both battle for time.

The Lady Eagles kick off the season Monday, Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. when they play host to Shepherd University.