The Edinboro University women's soccer team has never been known as an offensive juggernaut. But head coach Gary Kagiavas, the architect of the program since its inception in 1996, has put together winning teams based on strong defense and timely offense. Case in point, the 2002 Fighting Scot edition posted a 9-5-4 record despite scoring just 31 goals. The stingy defense limited opponents to 22 goals while recording seven shutouts.
The Fighting Scots enter the 2003 campaign having gone 6-0-1 in their final seven matches, but with all-time leading scorer Nicole Vlahovic gone, even Kagiavas wonders where the offense will come from. "I'm not sure where we're going to score from," fretted Kagiavas. "Defensively we'll be strong. Depth-wise we're very strong. I'm just not sure who's going to step up and score our goals."
Kagiavas was counting on Amy Jeffries, a freshman a year ago who scored a team-high 5 goals, to lead the way, but she transferred. Promising freshmen Ashley Pulman and Liz Soeder are battling injuries, with Pulman out for the year with a knee injury.
"We're going to need a collective effort to score," Kagiavas emphasized. "It will have to come from four or five different people, not just one."
Despite the dearth of scoring talent, Kagiavas enters the 2003 season with great optimism. His squads have won at least nine games in each of the last five years, with the Scots seeking a return trip to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs after qualifying for the first time in 2001.
"We have eight seniors, so I think we should be fine leadership-wise," he commented. "Out of those eight six start. We shouldn't have issues there. This group, in particular, is very good to work with. They're very focused and motivated. They seem very ready to step up and assume leadership roles.
"I'm optimistic and pretty excited, looking forward to this year," he continued. "Can I guarantee where well be? No. I think we should hold our own in the PSAC, and do very well. Our junior class is going to make a bigger impact than ever before. I'm hoping the freshmen will come in and contribute. It's a good class. "
Standing in the way of a second trip to the PSAC playoffs in three years, and a first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament, is a challenging schedule. "We added region games in the belief we could make the NCAAs", admitted Kagiavas. "We dropped Wheeling Jesuit because of that. The PSAC is one of the strongest conferences in the country without a doubt. Up to six teams normally get nationally-ranked. Plus we have a strong out of conference schedule. Mercyhurst, Bridgeport, which is one of the top teams in the New York Athletic Conference, for starters. When you look at our conference alone, we have our work cut out for us. Going to Queens(NY) and Bridgeport will be a real challenge.
"I'm not sure who will win the PSAC," stressed Kagiavas. "Lock Haven and Bloomsburg are strong, but I don't think they'll dominate like in the past. Millersville, Shippensburg, West Chester, Slippery Rock and Edinboro are all emerging. There are no gimmes in the conference.
With six teams participating in the PSAC Playoffs, Kagiavas' first goal is to be in the top six. Next is a berth in the NCAA Tournament. "Our strength is in the back," he pointed out. "That will keep us in every game. Because our defense is so strong, we won't give up many goals. We look to get a one or two goal lead and maintain it."
Kagiavas admits that he emphasized the forward position in his recruiting efforts. Now he hopes that one of his youngsters can come through to provide some scoring punch. With experienced scorers lacking up front, he could well call on a pair of freshmen -- Liz Soeder and Carrie Vance - to start. Soeder, from Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin(OH) High School, was a third team All-Greater Cleveland choice as a senior, but she may start off slowly due to injury. Vance had 5 goals and 22 assists as a senior at Berea(OH) High School and was also an All-Greater Cleveland selection.
Returnees Tricia Chilcott , Kristy Woods and Chelsea Lawrence also figure in the mix. Woods, a senior, scored one goal last year, while Chilcott had one assist. Freshman Kristen Manfredi, another Ohio player from St. Peter Chanel(OH) High School, was an honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland choice.
Unfortunately for Kagiavas, the forward is not what he envisioned in May. "Every injury has been to a forward," he lamented.
Senior Jamie Tekotte enjoyed an outstanding season in her first year as a Fighting Scot in 2001, finishing as the second-leading scorer with 12 goals and 5 assists for 29 points, tying the season record for goals. She was a second team All-Northeast Region pick and earned first team All-PSAC honors.
2002 was a different story for the Central Michigan transfer. She was limited to 4 goals and just 8 points, going the final six matches without a goal. It was no coincidence that Vlahovic missed the last six matches with an injury. "Jamie was keyed on more last year," pointed out Kagiavas. "She created more opportunities last year than the year before, but we didn't have a forward to finish. She needs that complement."
Senior Stacey Oldenburg comes off a 2002 campaign in which she tied for the team lead in scoring with 10 points on 3 goals and 4 assists. Five other returnees will add strength to the midfield. Junior Fallon Frye played in 13 matches, contributing a goal and an assist. Tricia Chilcott, a sophomore, had an assist in 14 matches, and junior Stacie Potter played in 17 matches. Sophomore Chelsea Lawrence played in five matches as a freshman.
Freshmen figure to bolster this area significantly. Kagiavas has high hopes for Karen Achtyl from Aquinas Institute(NY). Achtyl played on three Class B state championship teams, with 8 goals and 16 assists as a senior. Vance could see time in the midfield, as well, as will Hayley Lambert and Amy DiVencenzo. Lambert was a two-time first team All-Medina County selection at Wadsworth(OH) High School, while DiVencenzo helped Penn Trafford(PA) High School to PIAA state championship game, earning All-Section honors twice.
The backbone of the team is the defense, which returns two starters in seniors Shannon Askey and Summer Darst, along with part-time starters Kelly Collins, a senior, and Kathy Lantzy, a sophomore. But the key to it all is Lynzie Ellison, who enters her fourth year as a starter. Ellison will start at sweeper after contributing 2 goals and 2 assists last year.
Askey and Darst enter their third year as starters. Collins got the starting call in seven matches last, with a goal and an assist, while Lanzty had an assist while starting five matches.
Junior Maura Sansone, a former transfer from Kent State who appeared in 17 matches last year with a goal and 3 assists, will pressure Ellison at sweeper, and is sure to see plenty of action. Junior Becky Hicho is also available, after playing in six games and scoring one goal. Teri Michalski, a junior, has battled injuries throughout her career, playing in three matches in 2002, assisting on one goal. Sophomore Jessica Falconer is another returnee pushing for time after appearing in five matches.
Freshman Lindsey Snyder is talented enough that Kagiavas expects her to push for significant playing time despite the crowded picture. A strong, physical player, she helped Cumberland Valley(PA) High School to the PIAA state quarterfinals twice, along with two District championships and four Mid-Penn crowns.
While four-year starter Amy Stevens has departed, junior Abbey Mortus has seen plenty of action the last two years. After going 3-0-0 with a 0.86 goals against average as a freshman, she played in ten matches a year ago, finishing with a 7-2-1 record and a 1.29 goals against average, with a pair of shutouts.
"Abbey got hurt in the spring, but she will be okay," noted Kagiavas. "We will count a lot on her. She needs to be mentally prepared, and I believe she is. She can be a fantastic goalkeeper."
Kagiavas feels freshman Jenn Wilson is a year away, but he likes her potential and feels she'll be a solid backup this year. Wilson set the school record for shutouts (7) as a senior at Solon High School, finishing with a 0.93 goals against average.
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