University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Soccer Begins Practice Wednesday
08/15/2007 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 15, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond 2007 women's soccer preseason practice is underway, opening Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. 12th year head coach Peter Albright sat down with RichmondSpiders.com to talk about the upcoming season, which kicks off August 31 at the American University Invitational.
Q&A With Coach Albright
Who will you look to for leadership after losing three great leaders in Dani Amarant, Mairead Gordon and student assistant coach Kelsey Blank?
Ali LeVIne has emerged as our most vocal, experienced defender. Her personality and spirit has a big effect on our defending mentality. Christine Wrublesky and Carrie Holland join her as senior leaders who have invested so much in this team. I believe that they personify our fighting spirit.
For the past two seasons, your freshmen classes have been huge, reaching double-digits, in fact. How will it be to finally have a smaller incoming class and have the larger classes with a little experience under their belts?
Certainly having 10 starters and 19 players returning is a nice change. We should be healthier and more experienced than we have been in four years. I think that the first-year players will compete for playing time and, in some cases, starting spots. If one can beat out a returning starter, that bodes well for your team.
Are you happy with your incoming class? What impact do you see the newcomers having?
This class is small, no question about it. It is also, ironically, taller than any class we have had in years. The speed, size and athletic ability of this group is very good. We are counting on quality point production from Jordan Kent and expect major minutes from Jordan Settimio. Kristen Schmitt, Colby Ferguson and Molly O'Connor are all athletic enough to contribute right away, but they will have to prove themselves as freshmen. Lora Gess is very promising, but will probably start the season as a back-up keeper.
What are the team's goals for the 2007 season?
Capturing an A-10 Championship, winning a lot of games and having a blast! We are always out to earn respect as a program.
You play a difficult and challenging schedule year after year. What is your reasoning for scheduling such tough opponents?
Playing ranked teams is just pure fun. We love the challenge and we have won plenty of games against ranked teams over the years. If we win enough, we can qualify for an at-large NCAA bid. There is really no downside to playing as strong a schedule as possible. You've got to beat the best to be the best!
Who will you be counting on to put the ball in the back of the net?
I think that Jessie Knight is poised for a breakout season. Having said that, I think that Jen Ruhe, Nora Mann and Kent could all put up good numbers this year. Hopefully, it will be spread around.
With the loss of Amarant and Gordon, both who saw a lot of action in the back, how will the chemistry and overall balance of your defense be effected?
We had a very good spring with Kristen Stalter, LeVine, Julia Bizer and Carter Blair learning to play well together. Settimio and possibly Susan Boyer are also excellent defenders who could earn a spot in the back four.
Last year was obviously frustrating with an ever-changing line-up and six games extending into overtime, four of them resulting in heartbreaking losses. What positives did you and the team take from the year?
As frustrating as last season was, we remained very positive. I think that this team will display a fury that will make us very difficult to beat. We are challenged to make last fall a distant memory.
What are some of the strengths of this team?
We will be much more dangerous and exciting offensively. I think that 50 goals is not out of reach. We are fast and quick and very, very hungry.
What are some areas of concern for your team this year?
My only concern is staying healthy. If we can keep our top players on the field, then we will be in a position to win most of our games.
What are you looking for this team to do over the course of 2007-08?
I look for this team to leave the landscape strewn with defeated and demoralized opponents. I expect a fighting spirit and a confidence that will make people very proud of this team.
