University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Soccer Back In Action: Looking To Rise To The Top Of The A-10
08/14/2006 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 14, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond head women's soccer coach Peter Albright has begun preparation for the 2006 season as his team reported for preseason duty this past Saturday.
"Young, talented, and well led." Heading into his 11th year as head coach of the Spiders, Albright hopes that is how his 2006 team will be described by people looking back at the season.
19 first and second-year players, as well as seven upperclassmen comprise the 2006 Richmond women's soccer squad. "We could start as many as eight first and second-year players, so the team will be young," stated Albright.
Richmond's incoming recruiting class, which was ranked second in the Atlantic 10, 12th in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and 64th nationally, offers a combination of quality and depth that will ultimately help return the Spiders to the top of the A-10 and competing in the national scene.
Returning eight starters from last season's squad that went undefeated at First Market Stadium, after holding off No. 20 West Virginia and defeating St. Bonaventure, Fordham and Massachusetts, the Spiders, although young, will certainly not be lacking talent or leadership.
"The kids on this team are as talented as any we've had in the history of the program, so I expect that we will be able to play some very good soccer and get some results," continued Albright. "The leadership on this team is very strong. Our rising seniors and juniors have a vision of what is possible and a hunger to fulfill it. This could be a special team."
The Spiders will once again play an extremely challenging schedule, facing two teams that are coming off NCAA Championship appearances. Richmond will have a rematch with West Virginia at the end of August before attempting to seek revenge on the VCU Rams at the first of September.
After concluding a demanding non-conference schedule, Richmond will face nine A-10 opponents, including road trips to George Washington, La Salle, St. Bonaventure, and Fordham. The Spiders will also host Saint Joseph's, Temple, and Charlotte, before closing the regular season at First Market with a showdown with conference-rivals Dayton and Xavier.
GOALKEEPERS
After losing All-Atlantic 10 goalkeeper Kelly Kolker, sophomore Kate Hudson and first-year Erin Iman will be competing for the starting job. "Backing up Kolker last fall, Katy got some game experience and then had a very good spring. Erin is an excellent prospect who has the tools to become a great college keeper. If she makes the transition to college soccer quickly, we should have great competition for this spot."
BACKS
Center back Dani Amarant is returning from injury and playing very well. Amarant was an A-10 All-Rookie and All-Championship selection her freshman year before being slated the majority of her sophomore and junior years due to injury.
Senior Mairead Gordon and junior Ali Le Vine have both gotten a lot of game experience in the past few seasons and are tough, willful defenders. Ashleigh Blumer, Susie Boyer and Sarah Hilt are talented attacking outside backs who will continue to contribute to the Spiders' solid backfield.
This group will be supported by sophomores Emily Navarro, Julia Bizer and two very strong newcomers Carter Blair and Kate Rutkowski.
MIDFIELD
The Spiders' will once again run with a young lineup in the midfield with sophomore Jessie Wolfe returning to lead the talented and dangerous group. Jessie, the 2005 team leading scorer and an A-10 All-Rookie and honorable mention selection, could emerge as one of the best players in the A-10 this fall. Junior Christine Wrublesky is another returning starter who has showed real promise and solid play for the Spiders.
Newcomers Jenny Ruhe, Kristin Runey, Nora Mann, and Kelsey Rdzanek all have the talent to start for the Spiders, which will make competition and team selection interesting.
FORWARDS
The incoming forwards, Kristen Stalter and Jessie Knight will combine with returning junior Carrie Holland and ACL redshirt Melanie Varga to give the Spiders an exciting attack. Holland, a starter in every game last season, will once again be looked upon to anchor the forwards as she returns as a top attacking player, finishing second on the team last season in scoring with three goals.
This group will also be very competitive for playing time with the continued emergence of junior Emily Souleret, sophomore Kelsey Burke, and junior Anne Hazel.
"I really think that this is a very strong player pool. If we can stay healthy and follow our leaders, this group could compete for the A-10 Championship immediately and for several years to come."
