2007 Urbana Women's Soccer Preview
The Blue Knight women’s soccer team is coming off a record-breaking season, and aim to accomplish even more in 2007. Urbana University went 9-8-1 last year, with six of its eight losses by two goals or less. The Blue Knights broke school records for shutouts (8), goals scored in a season (49) and goals scored in a game (22), which is fourth all-time in NAIA women’s soccer history.

Urbana head women’s soccer coach Jim Wendling, who is entering his ninth season, returns 15 letter winners, including six starters from last year’s team, and has a talented freshmen class coming in. Seniors Brittany Webb (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh HS) and Julie Glaser (Xenia, Ohio/HS), as well as junior Abigail Nelson (Waynesville, Ohio/HS), were voted team captains.

FORWARD
Wendling’s philosophy is that the best defense is an attacking offense. He will use three forwards and attack the goal as much as possible. Senior Darby McCullough (Urbana, Ohio/Graham HS) is Urbana’s No. 1 returning forward, hoping to bounce back from an injury-plagued season last year. She is Urbana’s fourth all-time leading scorer and Wendling is expecting great things from McCullough in her final season. She will be joined up top by Nelson, who scored two game-winning goals last year as a sophomore.

"As long as she is healthy, Darby will be a top goal scorer in the conference this season. She has speed and the ability to break down defenses,” said Wendling. “Abi is a target striker, uses her body well and has a great right foot. She is a hardworking, positive girl.”

Sophomore Kelsey Riviello (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne HS) only scored two goals in her rookie season in 2006, but she is much more dangerous than the statistics show. She will provide a third scoring threat up top for the Blue Knights.

"Kelsey was dangerous all of last year,” said Wendling. “Her speed with the ball at her feet is very good. She is so good in one-v-one situations. She just has to put the ball in the back of the net.”

Wendling feels that freshmen forwards Randi Granat (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland HS), Micki Sumner (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek HS) and Kara Waldon (Columbus/Whetstone HS) will be making immediate impacts for the Blue Knights.

"Randi has great movement off the ball, has the ability to shoot from 30 yards out, and she can shoot with her right or left foot,” said Wendling. “Micki played sweeper in high school, but I knew she would play forward at Urbana, and I think she can score seven to nine goals.

“Kara is a playmaking forward,” added Wendling. “She distributes the ball well and with her height she can win balls in the air and score on headers.”

MIDFIELD
The Blue Knights are going to be an aggressive, attacking team and will control the tempo in the midfield. Captains Webb and Glaser return to the Blue Knight midfield, along with sophomore Brittany Sword (Germantown, Ohio/West Carrollton HS). They will be joined by a strong freshman group: Noel Amend (Mason, Ohio/Mason HS), Shannon Fischer (Maineville, Ohio/Little Miami HS), Sara Kuykendall (Hamilton, Ohio/Ross HS) and Jamie Magruder (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South HS).

Glaser is Urbana’s returning assist leader and has started 46 games in her career. She has great vision, passing skills and playmaking ability at the center midfield position. Webb adds a quick step to the midfield and Sword will make the move from forward to midfield.

"Julie is tremendous on free kicks from 40 yards out,” said Wendling. “She knows how to put the ball in the proper spot. Brittany’s quickness and ability with the ball is very good. She just has to be more of a physical presence.

"Brittany Sword has great vision and can switch fields impeccably,” he added. “She also has a nice shot from 25 yards out.”

Wendling is impressed with the freshmen group. They each have great technical skills, move well with the ball, make great passes and get in the attack.

DEFENSE
The defense has three returners back from last year’s squad that posted a record-tying eight shutouts. Wendling said for the Blue Knights to be successful, they will have to repeat this feat. Sophomore Megan Moser (Cincinnati/Colerain HS) returns to the center back position, while senior Dee Clemons (Piqua, Ohio/Piqua HS) and fellow sophomore Kristen Shope (Dayton, Ohio/Carroll HS) will flank her.

"These three girls are all aggressive, hard-nosed defenders who tackle hard and well,” said Wendling. “They can win the ball and stop the attack.”

Freshmen Keli Bonham (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central HS) and M.E. Daniels (Lake Orion, Mich./Rochester HS) will vie for time on defense as well.

GOALKEEPER
The Blue Knights have two returning goalkeepers who saw limited minutes in 2006, playing behind All-American Liz Markley. Sophomore Melanie Johansing (Cincinnati/Roger Bacon HS) has emerged as the leader early on. The 5-foot-11 keeper had a team-best 1.21 GAA in 296 minutes last year. Junior Heather Maus (Hamilton, Ohio/Badin HS) will push Johansing for starting minutes.

"Mel has great height and extension. She has great punting skills, is solid on breakaways and defends well against PKs (penalty kicks),” said Wendling. “She will be pressed by Heather who has more agility and athletic ability.”

2007 BLUE KNIGHT WOMEN’S SOCCER
The 2007 squad is a young team with solid upperclassmen. The seniors and juniors will have to mold the younger talented freshmen and sophomores into solid college players and build a strong family cohesiveness. The younger players will see plenty of time on the pitch this season and they have to step up the intensity at this level.

"Our goal is to win a conference championship,” said Wendling. “We have the talent to do it. We have to get past our biggest rivals in the American Mideast Conference; Ohio Dominican and Mount Vernon.”

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