July 30, 1999
LAS VEGAS - Its no longer a first-year program, and after exploding for eight wins in its inaugural season last year, the UNLV womens soccer team carries some lofty expectations into the 1999 campaign.
The Rebels shocked the Las Vegas community and the collegiate soccer world with an impressive 8-10-1 record. To carry that same kind of success into the upcoming year will be no easy task for head coach Staci Hendershott.
",It will be tougher because people will know who we are after a successful first season,", Hendershott says. ",But at the same time, our players now know what it takes to be a Division I athlete.",
Unlike a year ago in which the Rebels fielded a squad of recruits, the 99 edition of UNLV womens soccer now features experienced Division I athletes. Hendershott began at UNLV in the fall of 1997 after a five-year assistant coaching stint at her alma mater, Michigan State. She has adapted well to the West, developing the brand new program by uncovering local talent (10 of this years 23 Rebels are from Las Vegas) and grooming a group of raw underclassmen into winners. The players now have the experience of a full season and offseason under their belt and return even faster and stronger than last year.
",Our chemistry is much better because the players are more familiar with each other,", Hendershott says of her 15 returning letterwinners. Ten of the 12 players who recorded scoring statistics, including the top six scorers, are back for the programs sophomore year. ",That should make us more of an offensive threat.",
Forwards
Before last season began, it appeared as if the forward positions might be the weakest links of the team, with four freshmen starters. But Hendershott knew the whole team lacked experience - that is what a first-year program is all about. To succeed, these freshmen would have to substitute talent and speed for that experience, and thats exactly what they did.
Anita Pedford led the team in scoring, goals, assists and games started as a freshman. Returning for her sophomore season, Pedford looks to continue writing the first edition of the Rebel record book. An increase in overall team depth will allow her to better utilize her versatility by splitting time between striker and midfield. She is one of the fastest, most athletic players on the field.
",She scored a lot last season but does a much better job when she is facing up,", says Hendershott. ",Look for her to score a lot of goals and be one of the most controlling players on the team.",
The increase in depth has also paved the way for senior Felicia Madrigal to move back to the forward spot after spending most of last season as a defender. Madrigal is a field leader and team captain who, despite moving to the defense to anchor a thin line, managed to finish as the teams third leading scorer.
",Felicia is very dangerous in the air and on set plays,", notes Hendershott. ",She scored most of her goals on set plays last year. We are fortunate to be able to move her into more of a scoring role this year.",
Sophomores Breanna Seaton and Janae Sims worked hard during the offseason, which will strengthen the teams overall scoring attack. Seaton scored perhaps the most treasured goal of the year, the game-winner against Michigan State in the Rebels home debut.
Sims earned some valuable experience last year, starting 17 of the teams 19 contests. She came on strong toward the years end, leading the team in scoring in conference games. Like many of the players, Sims made good use of her offseason, improving a lot physically.
",Look for both Janae and Breanna each to score more goals than they did last season,", Hendershott says.
Pushing for time and helping to fill the void that Pedford will leave by moving to the midfield is Las Vegas freshman Cosette Joffs. Joffs is a four-time letterwinner out of Green Valley High School where she led the Gators to back-to-back state championships in 1997 and 98. She was named the teams MVP as a senior after leading the Sunrise Conference with 36 goals.
",Physically, Cosette is already at the Division I level,", claims Hendershott. ",She should get a lot of playing time right away and will be looked toward for scoring opportunities",
Midfield
Only two seniors were lost from the inaugural season, but both were midfielders. However, the transition of Pedford to the midfield and the return of speedy sophomore Suzanne Jensen place some experience on the midfield line.
",Suzanne is one of the most skilled players on our team,", credits Hendershott. ",After a great spring, she has the potential to be the top goal scorer.", Jensen should return to her starting spot at outside mid, but is a versatile athlete who will see time up front as well.
Complementing Pedford and Jensen in the center will be senior Thyre Brooks and sophomore Stephanie Sutter. Brooks is a natural athlete, coming to the soccer field from the Lady Rebel basketball team last year. She made her mark on the history books by driving home the programs first-ever goal, an unassisted blast at Pepperdine.
Sutter is another very skilled player whose strength is in the air. ",She is one of the best players on the team in that regard,", Hendershott says. ",We need her to get even more dominant in the air in the box on corners to provide scoring opportunities.", Because of that, she will see time at both midfield and striker. Sutter put home her lone goal of the year in a 2-1 win over San Jose State, the teams only WAC victory.
Two returners and three incoming freshmen will round out the midfield. Sophomores Jessica Chavez and Lora Crammer both saw time on the field last year, and will be looked upon to fill a similar role this season. Chavez battled with injury through most of the year, which limited her playing time. However, Hendershott expects that she will challenge for a starting spot in the center. Crammer serves the ball long and is good in the air. She will play more of a defensive midfield position.
Freshman Jaime Barto is a versatile, dedicated, hard-working player who the Rebels will count on for an immediate impact. Barto comes from soccer roots, as both her father and brother are connected to the UNLV mens program. Hendershott feels that Bartos work ethic will take her far.
The scouting report is not yet complete on newcomers Kellie Krueger and Cristyn Enea, but both come from respectable soccer clubs. Krueger comes from a great club team in Seattle, the FC Royals, while Enea played for the Under-16 West Region Champion San Ramon Crunch. Both will push for starting slots and will see considerable time regardless.
Defense
Sophomores Robyn Krivacic and Shannon Fredrickson anchor a defense that returns pretty much intact from last year. The defense played well through most of the season, but struggled toward the end, allowing more than three goals per match over their last six. But with everybody coming back stronger and more physical, Hendershott hopes that wont be a problem this year.
Krivacic played almost every minute of every game at the center defensive position, and barring injury she should do the same this year. She is a very competitive, skilled player and a leader on the field. Fredrickson moved to the defense from a striker spot primarily due to need, but worked hard and held down a starting position. She is a great athlete and quite versatile.
On the outside of the defense will be junior Amy Scala and sophomore Marni Polakow. Both started in about half the Rebels matches last year and should improve after hard-working, physical offseasons. Summer Frew, Lauren Wasserman and Jennifer Fahrney round out the returners on a deep defensive line.
Goalkeeper
The most significant addition to the goalkeeping crew wont see a single minute in the net this year, but will be the key for developing keepers Shannon Wilson and Kristin Puhl. Hendershott hired former Rebel soccer goalie Dan Abdalla as an assistant coach to groom both Wilson and Puhl.
",Dan is going to complete the staff in a lot of ways,", Hendershott says. ",Hes familiar with the area, which will help with recruiting. As a former goalkeeper, he will be able to help so much more in that area. Hes also a good field coach. We shouldnt miss a beat with Dan.",
Wilson is the incumbent starter, missing her only start at Hawaii last year. She logged two shutouts and although she finished the season with a 2.01 goals against average, it was as low as 1.36 through the first 13 games. ",Im looking for her to be the leader in the back as one of the upperclassman,", adds Hendershott.
Puhl saw limited action last year, but played a key role in the Michigan State game. Down 1-0 at half, Puhl temporarily replaced Wilson in the net and did not allow a goal while the offense produced the two goals needed for the victory. She played most of the game against New Mexico, a 3-2 overtime loss.
Schedule
After competing in the WAC for just one year, the Rebels turn their sights upon the newly-formed Mountain West Conference. UNLV joined seven other WAC schools in forming the new conference, which should provide a smaller, more-competitive environment.
",There shouldnt be too much difference,", Hendershott says. ",We played Air Force, Wyoming and New Mexico last season, and we played competitive against all three, beating Air Force and Wyoming and losing to New Mexico in overtime. Utah will be a good game for us because we are pretty equal. BYU and San Diego State are both Top 15 programs. It is definitely a strong conference, and were excited about the change. I think we have a chance to be right up there in a couple of years.",
The non-conference schedule doesnt get any easier with six straight road dates after the home opener against Weber State on September 1. The Rebels will host the first tournament in the programs young history. Utah State, Portland State and Detroit Mercy will all visit Las Vegas for the UNLV-FILA Tournament over the last weekend of October.
",The schedule is comparable to last seasons, one of the toughest schedules of a first year program. This year weve added Arizona State, San Francisco, Kentucky and a road match against Big Ten opponent Michigan State. Hopefully, with our experience we will come out above .500 this year.",
