Women's Soccer 2004 Outlook
8/26/2004 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 26, 2004
A year removed from an 11-8-2 campaign that ended in a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance (eighth in nine years), the 2004 Maryland women's soccer team will look to make its fourth straight NCAA Tournament and post double-digit victories for the ninth time in 10 years. The 2004 squad features the arrival of the eighth-best freshman class in the country (according to Soccer Buzz) and the return of 10 letterwinners (five starters). Head Coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski, the 2002 ACC Coach of the Year, thinks this year's team could be just as deep and talented as those of the previous two years - two teams that combined for the school's highest two-season win total (24) since 1996-97.
"Overall, this team has the potential to be a better team than last year. We will be a very young team. With our new talent, I know we have the potential to compete with any team in the country."
Forward
Three of the Terrapins' top six scorers last year return for 2004, with scoring leader Kimmy Francis and the explosive Simone Dekker spending time up front. The two combined for 12 goals a year ago and have a combined 21 goals in their respective two-year Maryland careers.
According to Higgins-Cirovski, "Simone's versatility will help this team tremendously. She can play wide right of midfield, but she can also play forward. She's explosive, she's got a great touch and she has breakaway pace."
Dekker got off to a quick start in 2003, as she scored in each of the Terps' first two games, including the team's first goal of the season at Washington and a one-goal, one-assist game in Maryland's second ACC/Pac-10 Challenge game versus Washington State.
Francis will spend the bulk of her time in the midfield for Higgins-Cirovski, but will get some time on the forward line.
After the loss of redshirt junior Melissa Anderson to her second ACL injury in one year, some newcomers are also expected to contribute at forward this season, with freshmen Carissa Gilbert and Kelly Rozumalski's arrivals. Gilbert, after graduating high school early, came to Maryland in the spring of 2003 and gained valuable experience playing with the Terps in the spring season. "Carissa is an incredible finisher," said Higgins-Cirovski, "she has good pace, a good cross and is very good with her back to the goal. She is an excellent compliment to our existing personnel."
Kelly Rozumalski comes to Maryland from Middleburgh Central High School in New York where she was a 2003 NSCAA All American and the New York State Public High School Player of the Year (2002 and 2003). She is expected to contribute at the forward position right away. "Kelly is powerful, she has great pace, and she loves to go to goal," said Higgins-Cirovski.
Other players who could possibly make contributions at the forward position are sophomore Elizabeth Foley and freshman Nataly Arias, although their primary contributions will be in the midfield. Freshman Kelly Dormandy could also provide some depth in the forward position. Foley gave the team a run at forward in the spring, while all three could give the Terps a different look up top.
Midfield
Midfield is expected to be one of the Terrapins' biggest strengths, with the returns of decorated juniors Kimmy Francis and Mallory Mahar, as well as the contributions of Danielle Malagari, Simone Dekker, Elizabeth Foley and a number of newcomers.
Francis was the team's leading scorer in 2003, leading the team in goals (9), assists (6) and points (24) a year after narrowly missing the Maryland freshman record for assists in a season (9). Those 24 points in 2003 were tied for the eighth-most single-season points in school history, while her 40 career points place her ninth on the school's all-time list. She is a quick, explosive player and should again be among the Terps' scoring leaders in 2004.
"Kimmy is quick, dynamic and incredibly skillful. Furthermore, she is a phenomenal finisher and passer. She'll be one of the keys on corners, as she can serve the ball with accuracy and pace."
Mahar was a NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic Third Team nominee in 2003, despite returning from an ACL injury that caused her to come off the bench in seven of the team's first eight games. She is a physical player with great size and a passion for the game that will look to build upon her successes last season, as well as her breakout 2002 campaign. Mahar has received numerous accolades in her two-year career and is poised to add to her awards resume in 2004.
"Mallory is a ball-winning midfielder and is one of the best players in the air I've ever coached. She is a tremendous tackler, good passer and can dominate the midfield."
Junior Danielle Malagari should see significant time in the midfield this season and will again get a chance to show her playmaking ability and provide a spark for the Terrapin offense. She played in 18 of the team's 21 games a year ago on her way to setting career highs in shots (12), minutes played (333) and games played (18).
"Danielle can give this team the needed balance in our midfield. She reads the game well and knows how to compliment our existing midfield."
Simone Dekker will also spend some time in the midfield this season and will provide experience, speed and explosiveness to the Maryland attack. "Simone is very good at getting end line and is very technical in tight spaces."
Nataly Arias is one of several Terrapin newcomers expected to see time in the midfield this fall. Arias comes to UM from Bishop O'Connell High School in Virginia where she was twice named the Virginia State player of the year, was a two-time All American and was labeled one of the nation's Top 50 recruits by Soccer Buzz.
"Nataly is very technical and has an incredible feel for the game. She's good with her feet, good in the air and has the ability to take over games," Higgins-Cirovski said of Arias.
Additional depth in the midfield could be provided by versatile freshman Jacquie Shields, while Kelly Dormandy can play wide in the midfield. Shelley McDuff and Liz Foley will also vie for playing time in the center, while Lindsey Niehaus will make the occasional shift to midfield from the back position when necessary.
"We have a lot of depth throughout the midfield, which will be our strength. We will be better in the midfield than we were last year, and we definitely have more depth," Higgins-Cirovski said.
Defense
The Terrapin defense will return a number of contributors from 2003, including the team's co-captain, Jennifer Lovecchio. The redshirt senior contributed to a defense that posted four shutouts in 2003 and held its opposition to one goal or fewer in 10 straight games to close out the season. Lovecchio played in 16 of the team's 21 games and logged 1134 minutes.
"Jen is tough, strong and tough to beat. Her effort sets the tone for our team. She is also our most natural leader on the field," Higgins-Cirovski said.
Lauren Krasko also returns after playing in all 21 of the Terrapins' games a year ago (14 starts) and should see consistent minutes as one of the team's center backs. "Lauren will most likely end up playing in the center of the back for us," said Higgins-Cirovski. "She's incredibly fast - the fastest player we have on our team. Moving Lauren from wide to center of the back has enabled us to take advantage of her speed. She's also very tough, excellent in the air and has her spring experiences to draw on."
Lindsey Niehaus, another experienced back, will likely see minutes at the left back. Niehaus has been a consistent contributor for Higgins-Cirovski the past three seasons and has been one of the team's hardest working players. She returns, along with Jennifer Lovecchio, as one of the team's two seniors.
"Lindsey Niehaus is the only naturally left-footed player on our team," said Higgins-Cirovski. "She's a very good distributor and good coming forward out of the backfield. She tackles well and defends ferociously."
Fellow freshman Stevie Dunning may spend some time in the defensive midfield after her arrival from Carmel High School in Indiana. Dunning was a NSCAA All-American at Carmel and will likely make an immediate contribution at midfield or back.
"Stevie could play in the midfield as well, although I expect her primary impact her freshman year to be in the backfield considering the loss of Freshman All-ACC selection Ashly Kennedy to an ACL injury this summer. She's very good in the air and has good technical ability. She's hard, has good strength and just gets it done on the defensive end in the midfield."
After the loss of Kennedy, newcomers Lauren Gamble and Jacquie Shields will also be candidates for playing time in the backfield, with Gamble likely logging time in the center.
"Lauren Gamble is a natural center back," Higgins-Cirovski said of the freshman. "She is tough, she's strong and reads the game well. And Jacquie is a tremendous athlete with all the tools to become an exceptional back."
Goalkeepers
Despite losing starter Kristen Barnhill, Head Coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski likes what she has returning in net for 2004. Anna Sheveland, Colorado transfer Nikki Resnick and freshman Lindsay Simpson all bring their own, unique styles and will all vie for playing time in the fall.
Sheveland saw limited action in an injury-hampered 2003. At 6'0", she is the tallest netminder in the school's history, with that height being an asset on corner situations and crosses in the box.
"Anna Sheveland is athletic, given her 6-foot frame. She excels at crosses, has good hands and is developing her ground game," Higgins-Cirovski said.
Nikki Resnick comes to UM after a one-year stint at the University of Colorado. She made three starts for the Buffaloes in 2003 and will be a contender for playing time in 2004.
"Nikki is very technical and has good distribution. She is also very quick and agile."
Freshman Lindsay Simpson is also a newcomer to the Maryland program and will push Sheveland and Resnick. "Lindsay is very quick and has the potential to develop," Higgins-Cirovski said.
