8/30 - PREVIEW: Bruins Aim for Winning Season with Five Key Starters and Talented Newcomers
NEWBERG, Ore. - With five returning starters and what head coach Andy Hetherington calls "the most talented group of newcomers since I've been here", the George Fox University Bruins have hopes of building upon their favorable finish of last season and climbing in the Northwest Conference women's soccer standings in 2007.
The Bruins are coming off a 6-12-2 record that saw them narrowly defeated in six games by one goal. The Bruins closed the season with a 2-2-1 record and out-scored their opponents 29-28 on the season. A 4-10-2 mark left them tied for sixth in the conference.
After graduating four seniors, Hetherington is looking to a talented incoming freshman class to strengthen the squad. Providing several players who have been nursing pre-season injuries return to physical soundness, the sixth-year coach believes the Bruins have a chance to show significant improvement. "Getting fit and healthy is the key," he says.
Leading the George Fox defense is veteran goalkeeper Jessica Cardwell (Sr., Springfield, Ore. / Thurston HS), who has received All-Conference honors each of her first three seasons with the Bruins. She recorded 125 saves last year and has 416 in her career. "Jessica is one of those players who needs no introduction to the league; her honors speak for themselves," says Hetherington. "She is an excellent keeper with great leadership skills and is a very solid player for us."
Backing up Caldwell this year, but expected to play significantly this fall and then hold down the keeper's position for the next two years, is Sally Alway (So., Salem, Ore. / Sprague HS), who transferred from Azusa Pacific University after playing for the NAIA national tournament runner-up team as a freshman. Says Hetherington, "Sally gained some valuable experience last year with Azusa and comes to us as an excellent keeper. She is an enormous asset."
The defensive back row will see several changes as only Megan Servoss (So., Medford, Ore. / North Medford HS) returns as a full-time starter. "Megan is a fine defender who will stabilize the line," observes Hetherington."
Joining Servoss at a center back position will be newcomer Melissa Leighty (Fr., Canby, Ore. / Canby HS). "Melissa gives us incredible speed and a great touch," notes Hetherington. "She will be the backbone of our line as a central defender."
Part-time starter Jasmine Ah Choy (Jr., Honolulu, Hawai'i / Moanalua HS) is a versatile player who could move into a starting role somewhere. She had one assist last year. Newcomers vying for starting roles include Sierra Whitehill (Fr., Portland, Ore. / Cleveland HS), Sophia De Graff (Fr., Beaverton, Ore. / Aloha HS), Esther Mason (Fr., Salem, Ore. / South Salem HS), and Nicole Brekkaa (Fr., Bothell, Wash. / North Sound Christian HS).
"Jasmine can play all four back positions and gives us some flexibility there," says Hetherington. "Sierra gives us sped, composure, and strength. Sophia is a tenacious defender, with good leadership and ball skills. Esther is very strong, physical, and quick, and likes to get forward like many defenders. Nicole has been one of our pleasant surprises as a 'walk-on' and adds a lot of depth to our defense."
Hetherington is particularly excited about his corps of midfielders, led by returnees Molly Schaefer (So., Salem, Ore. / Sprague HS) and Kayla Corn (So., Garden Grove, Calif. / Pacific HS). Schaefer is an offensive-minded mid who scored three goals and had eight assists, while Corn, whose forte is defense, had one assist.
"Molly will play on the left side and is a tremendous passer who was second in the conference in assists," comments Hetherington. "Kayla will anchor the center mid position."
Kirsten Cardwell (Fr., Springfield, Ore. / Thurston HS), who is Jessica's younger sister, "is an All-State performer who will be a tremendous presence for us," predicts Hetherington. "We will look to her as a playmaker to ignite our offense." Another offense-minded midfielder, Nicole Akiu (Fr., Honolulu, Hawai'i / Kamehameha HS) "gives us great speed on the outside as an attacking mid."
Providing depth at midfield are returnee Katie Yoder (So., Lynden, Wash. / Lynden HS) and newcomer Jodi Edley (Fr., Beaverton, Ore. / Aloha HS). Carol Christiansen (Jr., Portland, Ore. / Sunset HS), a transfer from Oregon State University, was a late tryout for the team who "brings us more options, variety, and creativity to the midfield," Hetherington says.
Returnee Cherie Beck (Sr., Renton, Wash. / Liberty HS) and rookie Rachel VanGent (Fr., Thousand Oaks, Calif. / Oaks Christian HS) will see significant playing time because of their versatility. "Both are equally adept at either defender or midfielder," notes Hetherington.
"We're a bit light up front as far as numbers go," admits Hetherington, "but we certainly have quality" in returning starter Amber Stevens (Sr., Medford, Ore. / South Medford HS), reserve letterwinner Jessica McMorran (So., Parkdale, Ore. / Troutdale HS), and Pacific Lutheran University transfer Jenny McKinsey (So., Spokane, Wash. / Central Valley HS) Stevens scored four goals and had two assists last year, McMorran had one assist in limited action, and McKinsey was the Lutes' top scorer as a freshman with nine goals, tying for fourth in the conference.
"Amber is our team captain this year and we are looking for a very strong senior season from her," says Hetherington. "She will pose a lot of trouble for opposing defenses. Jennifer is a brilliant acquisition who adds a lot of offensive poise and punch to our lineup; she and Amber work well together. Jessica has good ball-handling skills and creativity and gives us some options up front."
In summarizing the Bruins' outlook, Hetherington believes "we have greater depth, more creative options, and greater offensive punch than last year. Our defense will be difficult to break down. We are still fairly young, but we have all the ingredients for what we believe and hope can be a successful season."
George Fox opens up at home Saturday, Sept. 1, at 12:00 noon against The Master's College at Morse Field in Newberg. That game will be followed by the men's home opener at 2:30 p.m. against Holy Names University. The Bruin women then hit the road for games at Eastern Mennonite University Saturday, Sept. 8, at 4:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. Eastern time) in Harrisonburg, Va., and Sunday, Sept. 9, at 10:00 a.m. (1:00 p.m. Eastern time) at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Va.