awhom111
08-12-2009, 08:18 PM
As some of the less popular sports are starting up at Duke, I want to share my knowledge of the teams and preview their seasons so that those who do not follow them can learn about the players, teams, and outlooks for the upcoming year. First up is soccer as the exhibition schedules start to kick off. After that, the fall sports include volleyball and field hockey. I would do Cross Country, but that seems difficult to preview in the same way that I am doing the other teams. These previews are all my opinion based on watching the teams over the past few years. I hope that they help people learn a little something about these other Duke teams.
Women’s Soccer:
Looking Back:
A fifth place finish in the ACC may not have seemed to be that great for a team that had just made an NCAA quarterfinal run, but the team once again proved its postseason prowess with a return to the quarterfinals. The team faced some untimely injuries, but really worked hard through a bizarre conference schedule that featured two long streaks of home games and away games. The team does lose a number of key players as starting goalkeeper Cassidy Powers graduates after a stellar season in her first chance in the lineup. Lorraine Quinn is done after completing a redshirt senior season that saw her balance her creative force in the attacking midfield role with defensive toughness in linking up the midfield with the attack. Kelly Hathorn’s ability to play on either wing will be missed as she offered a speedy threat in beating players on the left or cutting in on the right side. Defensively, both starting fullbacks, Christie McDonald on the left and Kelly McCann on the right graduated while the primary defensive cover at all positions, Sheila Kramer, departs as well. While there are still a number of experienced attacking threats, the defensive changes will put players in new positions.
Key Returnees and Additions:
The starting goalkeeper spot is completely open this year as it was last year. Emily Nahas showed promise in limited backup duty last season, but freshman Tara Campbell is also battling for time. If there is one position that this team never has trouble finding players for, it is in the center of defense. The problem recently has been keeping the whole group healthy for the whole season. Sara Murphy missed all of last season and will offer a steady veteran presence on her return. Gretchen Miller is a calm, collected defender who also happens to possess a rocket of a shot that can catch opposing defenses off their guard. Meaghan Fitzgerald brings the energy to the backline and has the versatility to help out in other positions if needed. Ashley Rape was the newcomer to the group last year and demonstrated strong aerial ability both defensively and on set pieces before an injury sidelined her for the rest of the season. The fullback positions are pretty much completely open. Molly Lester is the only returning specialist fullback with experience, as she worked her socks off in her substitute appearances. The center of the midfield features three players with two spots filled. Jane Alukonis is the quintessential holding midfielder with her willingness to stay in front of the defense and destroy opposing attacks before they can develop while handling all of the distribution along the backline to the attacking players. She is also key in ensuring strong deliveries from set piece situations. Elisabeth Redmond plays as an attacking midfielder or a second striker and plays a major role in setting things up for her teammates while scoring goals from long distance and from late runs into the box. She also takes the penalty kicks. The other midfield spot could be filled by a number of players, depending on the needs for the position. Kendall Bradley is the most similar player to Alukonis, using her creativity to dictate the tempo from a deep-lying playmaking position. Transfer Lynnea Pappas is more of a box-to-box midfielder, combining strength in the tackle with an ability to make late surging runs into the penalty area. Marybeth Kreger can also be moved in from her wide position to add her tremendous workrate to battle in the middle. The wingers are key attack players in the formation. Cody Newman brings pace and a strong left foot to the left side as she spends most of the game pinning the opposing right full back as deep as possible to look for open runs into the box. Marybeth Kreger has generally been used on the right to both attack and step back to win the ball back. There are a couple of options off the bench for these spots as Rebecca Allen was generally played on the right instead of up top this past season. She offers the ability to get the ball under control to hold it up for teammates. Chelsea Canepa brings an eye for goal to all of the attacking positions. Up top, KayAnne Gummersall is perfectly suited to play on her own there. She combines Didier Drogba-like abilities in holding the ball up for teammates to get in goal-scoring positions and turning into a goal-poacher once the ball enters the penalty area (unlike Drogba, she does not have tendencies to dive). Carey Goodman has shown the ability to back up the lone striker position and steal minutes off the subs bench with a good eye for goal and the pace and power to lead the line. As always, there will be plenty of spaces for freshmen to come in and contribute. As has been shown in recent years, a recent uptick in recruiting has brought more and more talent to the program in the past few years.
Outlook:
I really feel that this team is in for a breakthrough year. It has experience in key positions and has been really molded to fit Coach Robbie Church’s Chelsea/Mourinho style 4-3-3. This team will be challenged by a tough league schedule as always, but it has already proven in the last two years that hard work in the conference can lead to success in the NCAA tournament. As long as the key questions are answered, the sky is the limit for the team. Health has been a major factor in the last few years, but depth has continued to improve. I tip this team as one to watch this year and all fans should see where it goes once the postseason rolls around.
Women’s Soccer:
Looking Back:
A fifth place finish in the ACC may not have seemed to be that great for a team that had just made an NCAA quarterfinal run, but the team once again proved its postseason prowess with a return to the quarterfinals. The team faced some untimely injuries, but really worked hard through a bizarre conference schedule that featured two long streaks of home games and away games. The team does lose a number of key players as starting goalkeeper Cassidy Powers graduates after a stellar season in her first chance in the lineup. Lorraine Quinn is done after completing a redshirt senior season that saw her balance her creative force in the attacking midfield role with defensive toughness in linking up the midfield with the attack. Kelly Hathorn’s ability to play on either wing will be missed as she offered a speedy threat in beating players on the left or cutting in on the right side. Defensively, both starting fullbacks, Christie McDonald on the left and Kelly McCann on the right graduated while the primary defensive cover at all positions, Sheila Kramer, departs as well. While there are still a number of experienced attacking threats, the defensive changes will put players in new positions.
Key Returnees and Additions:
The starting goalkeeper spot is completely open this year as it was last year. Emily Nahas showed promise in limited backup duty last season, but freshman Tara Campbell is also battling for time. If there is one position that this team never has trouble finding players for, it is in the center of defense. The problem recently has been keeping the whole group healthy for the whole season. Sara Murphy missed all of last season and will offer a steady veteran presence on her return. Gretchen Miller is a calm, collected defender who also happens to possess a rocket of a shot that can catch opposing defenses off their guard. Meaghan Fitzgerald brings the energy to the backline and has the versatility to help out in other positions if needed. Ashley Rape was the newcomer to the group last year and demonstrated strong aerial ability both defensively and on set pieces before an injury sidelined her for the rest of the season. The fullback positions are pretty much completely open. Molly Lester is the only returning specialist fullback with experience, as she worked her socks off in her substitute appearances. The center of the midfield features three players with two spots filled. Jane Alukonis is the quintessential holding midfielder with her willingness to stay in front of the defense and destroy opposing attacks before they can develop while handling all of the distribution along the backline to the attacking players. She is also key in ensuring strong deliveries from set piece situations. Elisabeth Redmond plays as an attacking midfielder or a second striker and plays a major role in setting things up for her teammates while scoring goals from long distance and from late runs into the box. She also takes the penalty kicks. The other midfield spot could be filled by a number of players, depending on the needs for the position. Kendall Bradley is the most similar player to Alukonis, using her creativity to dictate the tempo from a deep-lying playmaking position. Transfer Lynnea Pappas is more of a box-to-box midfielder, combining strength in the tackle with an ability to make late surging runs into the penalty area. Marybeth Kreger can also be moved in from her wide position to add her tremendous workrate to battle in the middle. The wingers are key attack players in the formation. Cody Newman brings pace and a strong left foot to the left side as she spends most of the game pinning the opposing right full back as deep as possible to look for open runs into the box. Marybeth Kreger has generally been used on the right to both attack and step back to win the ball back. There are a couple of options off the bench for these spots as Rebecca Allen was generally played on the right instead of up top this past season. She offers the ability to get the ball under control to hold it up for teammates. Chelsea Canepa brings an eye for goal to all of the attacking positions. Up top, KayAnne Gummersall is perfectly suited to play on her own there. She combines Didier Drogba-like abilities in holding the ball up for teammates to get in goal-scoring positions and turning into a goal-poacher once the ball enters the penalty area (unlike Drogba, she does not have tendencies to dive). Carey Goodman has shown the ability to back up the lone striker position and steal minutes off the subs bench with a good eye for goal and the pace and power to lead the line. As always, there will be plenty of spaces for freshmen to come in and contribute. As has been shown in recent years, a recent uptick in recruiting has brought more and more talent to the program in the past few years.
Outlook:
I really feel that this team is in for a breakthrough year. It has experience in key positions and has been really molded to fit Coach Robbie Church’s Chelsea/Mourinho style 4-3-3. This team will be challenged by a tough league schedule as always, but it has already proven in the last two years that hard work in the conference can lead to success in the NCAA tournament. As long as the key questions are answered, the sky is the limit for the team. Health has been a major factor in the last few years, but depth has continued to improve. I tip this team as one to watch this year and all fans should see where it goes once the postseason rolls around.