LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - When the Lock Haven University women’s soccer team takes to the field this fall they will have a new look, but one thing will remain as they will look to continue to program’s rich success.
The Lady Eagles will be looking to claim their fourth Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship in nine years and first since 2001.
During the 2006 campaign Lock Haven went 8-11-1 overall and 4-5-1 in the PSAC West earning a spot in the conference playoffs. LHU went on to fall to Slippery Rock University in the PSAC quarterfinals.
In 2007, third-year head coach Heather Davis (Plymouth State College, ’96) looks to bring a new attacking-style of play to the field, which she hopes will lead the Lady Eagles to more championship banners.
This year’s squad certainly has the talent to reach the top as it returns 18 players while adding seven talented newcomers. This combination should prove deadly as the Haven looks to take on a much more team-oriented approach.
Davis calls her team gritty, hardworking and determined all of which embody the characteristics of the Lady Eagles new style of play. She would like to see everyone on the field attacking starting from the back line of defense and she certainly has talent all over the field for her team to do so.
“One of things that sets us apart from a lot of other teams is that we have strong players in every position on the field,” Davis said which allows for the Lady Eagles to push the attack as they need to score goals to be successful.
Davis will need each of these talented player to emerge from a role player model to impact player and thinks all of them are capable of that task this upcoming season.
Despite their new attack-minded strategy the Haven will need to have a solid defense and they return plenty of talent in that department starting in the net.
Goalkeepers:
Senior Emily Wagner (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) returns to lead the Haven in net this year. In 2006 Wagner started all 20 games for the Lady Eagles and made 98 saves while racking up a 1.61 goals against average. She currently has 208 career saves, which ranks her second all-time just 94 away from becoming LHU’s all-time save leader.
Wagner has great hands, loves the game, trains hard and can be counted to make the game-saving save when needed.
Adding depth in goal will be sophomore Katie Smithmyer (Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte) and freshmen Aubrie Smith (York, Pa./West York) and Karee Schad (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown).
Smithmyer saw action in one game last season and shows a great work ethic as all three will help push Wagner in net.
Davis will be looking for Wagner to mentor this young group of goalies that have a bright future with the program.
Defense:
When Davis took over the team 2005 she moved from a sweeper/stopper defensive alignment and began using zone a defense.
Seniors Lynette Reitz (Mountoursville, Pa./Mountoursville) and Jamie Cranmer (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) along with junior Bekah Stonecypher (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) make up the core of the defense having used this zonal defensive system the past two years.
The three add tremendous leadership to the back and feel comfortable playing together according to Davis.
Reitz, an All-PSAC West selection last season started all 20 games for the Lady Eagles will look to anchor this defensive unit. She is well organized and knows the system well. Reitz, who is also a dangerous threat on free-kicks tallied one goal and two assists in 2006.
J. Cranmer, who is strong in the air and a good tackler is coming off a tremendous spring season and will look to continue that momentum this fall. In 2006 she started 17 games and adds valuable experience to the back line.
Stonecypher has the ability to play a number of positions and could also see time in the midfield. She started 16 games a year ago and chipped in with a goal and an assist.
Sophomore Courtney Johnson (Alexandria, Va./Edison) is another player who should make an impact on defense for LHU. Davis feels she is very talented player who we haven’t come close to seeing her full potential yet.
Johnson, who is “tough as nails,” according to Davis will add an attacking minded approach to an outside back position.
Sophomore Angela Rineer (Shillington, Pa./Governor Mifflin), who joined the team last year as a walk on is a “feisty” player who adds athleticism to the outside back positions.
Freshmen Jesse Cox (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) and Alissa Gamlier (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) will both look to make an impact on the defense.
Cox is a hard-nosed player who loves to win and doesn’t shy away from physical play which is always a huge benefit. Gamlier is a complete player who could play a number of positions for LHU.
Midfield:
As with any successful soccer team the midfield will be a very important area for the Lady Eagles.
Leading the way in the midfield will be senior captain Kyleigh Roth (Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia) who is arguably LHU’s best attacking player.
The crafty midfielder will be looked upon to direct the Haven’s attack from her midfield spot. Roth’s combination of pace, athleticism, heart and passion make her the perfect field general for the Lady Eagles.
“She embodies all the attributes you look for in a captain,” Davis said. “She’s a fantastic leader for the veterans and a great mentor for the newcomers.”
Also looking to make key contributions to the midfield are Lindsay Blessing (Fredericksburg, Pa./Northern Lebanon) and sophomore Sarah Thomas (Ellicott City, Md./ Hereford).
Blessing is a tremendous player according to Davis and she is looking for her to take on much more of a leadership role in the midfield and knows she is completely capable of the task.
Thomas is a versatile, athletic and technical player who will be looked upon to attack no matter where she is on the field.
Also looking to help in the midfield are sophomores Katie Decker (White Hall, Md./Hereford), Heidi Weller (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) and Rachel Rorke (Stewartstown, Pa./Kennard-Dale) along with senior Jenny Finocchiaro (Pilesgrove, N.J./Woodstown).
Decker is very effective outside and gets to the far post well, Weller is very athletic and Rorke has all tools as each should become consistent contributors.
Finocchiaro is an outside midfielder, but has the versatility to play anywhere on the field. Along with her versatility her biggest strength is that she will do whatever it takes to help the team.
Forwards:
Leading the way at forward is the team’s leading scorer from a year ago in the form of senior Colleen Kafka (Candor, N.Y./Candor) who racked up 15 points in 2006.
She scored a team-high five goals and dished out a team-high five assists as well. Kafka is a dynamic striker who other teams must be aware of as she has the ability to beat you from anywhere. She is deadly inside the 18-yard box and very strong off corners.
Kafka could also see time in midfield and has the ability to shine anywhere on the field.
A trio of sophomores will all look to make their mark on attack for LHU including Kellie Weiger (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata), Melinda Dodson (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) and Kristen Zechman (Paxtonville, Pa./Midd-West).
Davis really looks for Weiger to step it up this year as she was a proven goal scorer coming out of high school. She netted three goals during her rookie season with the Lady Eagles last fall.
Dodson had a fantastic spring and is a savvy forward with good finishing skills while Zechman has all the tools to become a consistent goal-scorer.
Freshman Brittany Cranmer (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain), the sister of fellow Lady Eagle Jamie Cranmer will look to make an immediate impact on the attack. She’s a powerful and talented forward who can score from outside which should compliment LHU’s other forwards well.
Fellow rookie Jennifer Williams (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield) will also look to make her mark on the offense during her rookie campaign.
The Lady Eagles quest for success in 2007 begins today as they travel to Shepherd University to kick off their season, one they hope ends in championships fashion.
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