2007 Season Outlook
The Wittenberg University women's soccer program enjoyed nothing short of a breakthrough in 2006, finishing second in the rugged North Coast Athletic Conference regular season title chase and then claiming the Tigers' first-ever NCAC Tournament title.
Rachel Morgan
The Wittenberg University women's soccer program enjoyed nothing short of a breakthrough in 2006, finishing second in the rugged North Coast Athletic Conference regular season title chase and then claiming the Tigers' first-ever NCAC Tournament title. After winning the first NCAA Division III Tournament game in school history and tying the record for wins in a season, what to do for an encore?
For sixth-year Head Coach Norm Riker and his veteran squad, the answer is to set the bar a little higher. For a team with nine senior standouts, including six returning to the starting lineup, the goals begin with conference hardware and end with national title aspirations in 2007. With a total of 10 starters back in the fold, including three all-region honorees, there is reason for such lofty expectations.
The Tigers have been among the stingiest defensive teams in all of NCAA Division III in recent years, and the 2007 squad figures to be strong in the backfield again, starting with senior goalkeeper Meghan O'Rourke (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne), already a three-year starter who holds the school record for shutouts in a season (13) and a career (32).
While the loss of four-time all-conference and three-time all-region standout Jamie McIntyre is a cause for concern on defense, the Tigers have plenty of talent and experience to fill the gaps in 2007, starting with senior Rachel Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), junior Jamie Mack (Rochester, NY/Penfield) and sophomoreRachael Radel (Columbus, Ohio/Grandview). That trio joined McIntyre to form a unit that allowed just 7.1 shots on goal per game in 2006.
The midfield will be strong again as all three all-conference starters return to the starting lineup. Senior Lindsey Rusch (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne)leads the charge with her tremendous work ethic and ability to distribute the ball for junior Suzanne Medwid (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and senior Amanda Farrell (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland). Medwid contributed four goals and six assists to the offensive attack in 2006 while making a smooth transition from the defensive backfield as a freshman, while Farrell enjoyed a breakout 2006 campaign to lead the Tigers with nine goals and 19 total points.
The three starting forwards are also back in the lineup in 2007. Senior Sydney Bates (Milford, Ohio/Loveland) and sophomore Sara Pirozzi (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) combined for six goals and 13 total points a year ago. The attack will be bolstered by the return of senior Lisa Rusch (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne), the team's leading scorer in 2004 and 2005 before missing half of the 2006 season with a knee injury. Despite missing the final 10 games of the season, Rusch finished with four goals and three assists on the season to rank third on the team in total points.
Eleven other letterwinners are back in the fold in 2007, in addition to junior transferCorey Shubitowski (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson) and another strong recruiting class. The season opens with a challenging road trip to Gettysburg for a weekend tournament and continues with a tough non-conference and NCAC schedule.