The Webster University women's soccer team, coming off a perfect 9-0 finish in 2013, were picked to win the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title again in 2014, in the SLIAC Coaches preseason poll. The team set a school record for wins in a year as they finished 19-3 overall on the season, and won its second consecutive SLIAC Tournament Championship, earning a berth in the NCAA III Championships.
The team will enter the 2014 season with a balanced group of experienced returnees, and a group of talented newcomers. The 2013 Gorloks finished sixth in the NCAA III in scoring offense, third in assists, and fourth in total points. A determined and disciplined squad hopes to recreate this offensive force as it meets the challenges of the 2014 campaign.
Leading the way up top for Webster will be an eager group of talented veteran players. Senior Kristin Montgomery (2013 SLIAC First-Team All-Conference) led the team with 31 points (nine goals and 13 assists). Montgomery tied for ninth in the nation in the NCAA III for total assists, tying team captain Lauren Pratt. Pratt, a junior and a 2013 SLIAC Second-Team All-Conference selection, finished with 29 points (eight goals and 13 assists). Fellow junior Jessica Mess tallied 19 points (seven goals and five assists), finishing second in game winning goals for the Gorloks.
Sophomore Shelby Simmons hopes to bounce back from a season ending injury in 2013, adding speed and an aggressive style of play to the mix. Sophomore Allison Ferguson had 10 points her freshman season and looks to add to that total in 2014. Freshmen Kayla Dye (Windsor HS), a 2013 Missouri First-Team All- State selection, had 68 points (25 goals, 18 assists) her senior year at Windsor. Kayla finished seventh in the St. Louis area in scoring and looks to add offensive punch for the Gorloks. Another freshman, Kelsey Hausmann will also provide skills and composure necessary to solidify the attack. Chelsea Noser suffered through an injury-shortened high school senior season, and the freshman looks to bounce back with the Gorloks in 2014. Her speed will be counted on to bring smart positional play to the attack.
A balanced mixture of returners and newcomers will also comprise the Gorloks' midfield. Senior captain Lindsay Adshade (SLIAC Second Team All-Conference) finished with 11 assists and finished 23rd in the NCAA III for assists. Senior captain Whitney Scott (SLIAC Third Team All-Conference) finished with 14 points and returns as the leading scorer among the midfielders. Senior Freddie Brandt was a redshirt in 2013 and returns for the 2014 season. Brandt is a fiery competitor who provides leadership and composure.
Sophomore Lauren Nuelle, who finished with 10 points, will add creativity and intelligent play to the center midfield position. Junior transfers Vanessa Carlos (CA) and Adrianna Carochi (AZ), will bring experience and excellent soccer skills to Webster's attack in the midfield. Carlos led her Sierra Vista High School (CA) team to a state title her senior year, finishing with 30 goals and 25 assists, and was the Mountain View Conference Player of the Year. Freshmen Brianna Pagan (Gateway-Central First-Team All-Conference) finished with 53 points (17 goals and 19 assists) her senior year, and was fourth in the St. Louis area in assists. Freshmen Sonja Summerfield (CA) is a play-making wing midfielder whose composure and unselfish play shoud add to the midfield play.
The defense predicts to be steady and consistent. Heading the backfield will be SLIAC First Team All-Conference performer Ashley Mess (captain). Mess' leadership will be a key to the team's defensive success. Mess sets the tempo in the backfield with her intense play. Senior Amy Schield's (SLIAC Second Team All-Conference) aggressive play and physical presence will be counted on. Senior Michelle Scally provides excellent leadership and composure in the backfield. Junior Sarah Darabcsek's hard-tackling style and quickness will be essential to the team's ability to transition from the back. Sophomore Jodi Kaiping will be counted on to provide excellent defensive skills and strong distribution skills to the unit. Freshmen Elena Bloma (Eureka High School 2013 State Championship team), Leah Heath (captain-Ft. Zumwalt East), and Sydney Tedesco (captain- Belleville East/Scott Gallagher Metro-ECNL team), will all bring excellent one on one marking skills and a toughness beneficial to the defense.
The goal will be in good hands in 2014 with senior Jessica Davis (SLIAC First Team All-Conference), and freshmen Rachael Ainsworth and Robin Bolme. Davis became the first goalkeeper to win the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year award in 2011. Davis finished 11th nationally in the NCAA III in goals against average and 26th in save percentage in 2012. Davis will bring a wealth of experience and her relentless work ethic to the goalkeeper position. Ainsworth and Bolme (Second Team All-Area/Nashville, TN) will challenge for playing time and provide the team with excellent depth at the keeper position.
It all adds up to what the Gorloks hope to be an eleventh SLIAC Championship, an eleventh berth in the NCAA III Tournament, and a victory in the NCAA Championships in 2014. Webster opens the season in Rock Island, IL,on August 29 as they face Calvin College (MI). They are home on August 30 to take on Edgewood College (WI) at 5:00 p.m. at the Soccer Park. The complete preseason voting for the SLIAC is listed below:
School Points
Webster 81 (9)
Principia 68 (1)
Spalding 59
Greenville 58
Fontbonne 55
Westminster 43
Blackburn 34
Eureka 29
MacMurray 21
Iowa Wesleyan 7
