2007 Women's Soccer Season Preview

Under the leadership of first-year women's soccer coach Brett Armstrong, the 2007 Trojans want to make four post-season appearances in a row. Their success will depend upon their ability to adapt to a new coach while molding together a strong group of returning players from the 2006-2007 campaign with a number of new and exciting faces.

Three seniors return for their fourth and final campaign in 2007. Heather Olsen, the third leading goal-scorer in the history of the program, returns as captain for the second consecutive year. "Heather is a talented and creative player and leads by example. We'll look to her competitive fire and determination to set the pace for the team this year," remarked Armstrong. Olsen is joined by fellow seniors Anne Opana and Lillian Mwangi. After missing most of the 2005 season with a torn ACL, Opana has returned to form and should prove to be a dangerous weapon down the left side of the field. Mwangi, a great distributor of the ball, sees the field extremely well and will be counted on to provide a reliable and consistent target from her striker position.

Scoring punch for the 2007 Trojans will come from a combination of skilled strikers and dangerous midfielders. Sophomore Kassie Evick and freshman Ana Hill give the team a pair of speedy and talented goal-scorers up front. And after a year away from the program, junior Courtney Helton returns to anchor the midfield, alongside sophomore Jessi Fallen. "Both Courtney and Jessi have excellent technical ability and can be dangerous coming forward into the attack," says Armstrong. They'll be joined in the midfield by newcomers Jenny Goodson and Lindsey Zurlinden as well as steady Brittany Argabright, the players' choice as the hardest working player on the team.

Armstrong will look to a couple of heralded freshmen, Heather Maute and Dani Martin, to anchor the central defense. Martin is the younger sister of Heather Martin, who graduated in 2007 as one of the most decorated players in the history of the program. Maute, from Springfield, Ohio, is strong in the air and will provide leadership for the back four. Sophomore Allison Casalenuovo, an Oak Ridge product, not only is the team's most consistent defender but can be dangerous coming forward into the attack.

Goalkeeping duties will be shouldered by sophomore Kimberly Goodson, a Second Team All-Conference pick in 2006. After playing every minute and making more than 120 saves in 2006, Goodson will have some relief this year as Kimberly Price has joined the program. Price, a former Christ Presbyterian Academy star, will provide solid support in goal.

This year's edition of the Trojans faces another tough conference schedule. Yet with a solid foundation and some promising new talent these players should prove to be a team to watch.