2008 Woodie Awards
Women's soccer looks to repeat
By: Christian Del Razo
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Sports
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But head coach Kim Sutton doesn't seem to put much emphasis on it.
"It's purely a coaches' poll and what they think. We are expected to win the Northern Division and win the conference, but we can't vote for ourselves." Sutton said. "But yes, I expect us to be back on top."
The Wildcats kick off their season in a home game against Notre Dame de Namur at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Sutton returns for her seventh season as head coach and is geared for an even more dominating season than last. She coached her Wildcats to a remarkable
13 wins, five losses and three ties last season en route to a third CCAA division title and a fourth consecutive bid at the CCAA tournament.
"We had a lot of great performances last season. Opponents do change every season, so really you have to prepare differently," Sutton said. "I like to think that our group this year is adapting well to playing with each other and with so many returners they should already be familiar with one another."
The team needed to fill the void of seven starting positions this season after several players departed.
But with 17 returning players included in a roster of almost 30 players, options are abundant.
The squad tuned up with exhibition games against Division I opponents Sacramento State on Aug. 15 and UC Davis on Aug. 17.
In both matches the 'Cats were shut out, losing 1-0 in the first bout and 3-0 in the second.
Nonetheless, Sutton views these opportunities as learning experiences and ways to prepare for the regular season.
"We want to see players in different positions and how they perform," Sutton said. "Anytime you can also get a game in, it's good for the team."
Five of the 17 returning players are seniors, including co-captains midfielder Abby Stretch and defender Katie McIntosh.
Both are optimistic about the new season and think that team chemistry is coming together swiftly, they said.
"I think we have a super-tight group this year," McIntosh said. "I definitely see a repeat this season."
Stretch is impressed with the squad's new players but thinks training has a lot to do with it, she said.
"I'm really excited about this year. We have a great freshmen group coming in," Stretch said. "The team last year was amazing, but these girls definitely look like they can fit their shoes."
Christian Del Razo can be reached at
cdelrazo@theorion.com
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