Team veterans confident in newcomers ability to compete
Despite 18 newcomers to the CU soccer team, the Buffs kicked-off the 2007 season ranked no. 14 nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Preseason Poll .
“I think we should be better this season for sure,” said sophomore forward Nikki Marshall, one of the eight returning starters. “I think we have already set our standards higher than we did last year. I think we could really take it to a new level this year.”
CU opened the season with a 6-1 victory over the University of Northern Colorado in an exhibition game Aug. 25. Of the 18 newcomers, every physically healthy woman saw playing time.
Freshman forward Michaela DeJesus scored her first college goal, and the first goal of the game, on a free kick early in the first half.
“I think most of these freshmen are ready to come in now if they are asked, and I think they will play well,” DeJesus said.
Head coach Bill Hempen said he was unsure of how he felt about entering the season with 15 freshmen and would have to wait until Friday to decide.
“Our Friday game is much like football’s Saturday game. It’s kind of our in-state rival and a lot of freshmen in the back at very important positions that we are going to see how they react to that pressure,” Hempen said. “It’s kind of scary actually.”
Although there are only two seniors on the team, a number of women are ready to step into leadership roles and help the freshmen through the pressures of playing on a top-25 team.
“There are definitely girls that fill the rolls no matter what their ages are,” senior forward Allison Kidd said. “We have got even sophomores on the team that are good leaders.”
Kidd(cq) commented that the lack of seniors is not necessarily bad.
“We are a little bit more close-knit just because there’s a huge freshman class and a very small senior class,” Kidd said. “Last year, there weren’t very many more of seniors, but they were more in groups and now we are just one huge team. I think that will probably make a little more of a difference.”
That bond will hopefully translate into wins during the challenging schedule the Buffs face this season. The team faces five teams ranked in the preseason top-25 poll. Three are Big 12 teams.
“I don’t think our conference gets the credit it deserves and it’s a brutal place to play. Even the teams that are picked to finish 10th and 11th, if you have to play them at home, it’s a pain,” Hempen said. “It’s good that we are recognized as top-25 caliber with our four teams, and I think there are probably two or three more teams that could be there as well.”
Due to injuries and a young back line, the offense stands stronger right now. As far as key offensive players go, Hempen said the current starters may not be starters later in the season.
“You never know what is going to happen with development,” Hempen said. “We certainly expect Nikki Marshall to be a focal point for every opponent that we play now. I think Michaela is going to be a great asset, as well as Gianna DeSaverio, a transfer from Arizona. And I think once Genna Gorman gets on the field we could be a very difficult team to handle offensively cause we are going to be quick.”
The team opened their regular season against DU yesterday in Denver. DU tied in their exhibition game against the University of Wyoming on August 26.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Margot Schneider at margot.schneider@thecampuspress.com.
