ASU Soccer Begins Second Season
Sun Devils Open With Exhibition Against NAU
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| Sophomore Jill Rivard |
On Tap: The Arizona State University women's soccer team will begin its second year of competition when they host an exhibition game against first-year program Northern Arizona on Friday, August 22 at 5 p.m. All home games this year will be played at the Sun Devil Soccer Field located just east of Rural Road, behind the band field and softball field. Admission is free.
Last Season: Arizona State ended its inaugural season with a 4-11-1 record. Despite playing most of the season without its top two goalkeepers, as well as staring 10 freshman, the Sun Devils turned in several outstanding performances: ASU won their first-ever contest with a 3-0 whitewash over Cal State-Northridge. Sophomore Sharon Gillis scored Arizona States' first goal and assisted on another to pace the Sun Devils. ASU also posted wins against two in-state rivals, Grand Canyon (2-1) and swept third-year program Arizona (4-2 and 2-1). After posting a 2-2-1 mark in limited Pac-10 action, ASU along with Oregon, will play a full conference slate this year.
Welcome Aboard: Head coach Terri Patraw ventured back to her alma mater (Wisconsin) to bring aboard her newest assistant coach Jennifer Haigh. Haigh most recently coached the Bangu F.C. club team in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition to coaching at the high school and Olympic Development level, Haigh also played one season of professional soccer for IFK Jonkoping in Jokoping, Sweden. Haigh graduated with honors from UW in '96 with degrees in history, sociology, and a certificate in political science. Haigh, who was a three-year starter for the Badgers, was voted the Most Improved Player in 1992 and 1994 and was selected team captain in 1995. She was also a three-time Big Ten All-Academic selection.
New Faces: As the Sun Devils begin their second season, head coach Terri Patraw welcomes eight newcomers to the '97 sqaud, including the Arizona 5A Player of the Year Ariane Stramiello. Also joining the team is Antoinette Marjanovic, who played for the Croation National Women's team; Jessica Bohl, a local product from Ironwood H.S., was a first-team all-state and all-region pick; Jaclyn Clark, a four-time all-state, all-region, all-league and all-area selection from Rochester Hills, Michigan; Karine Inoue, a two-time all-C.I.F. and all-county choice from Laguna Hills, California; Erin McGinnis, a two-time all-state selection from Aurora, Colorado; Megan Gillaspie a four-time all-city and all-conference selection from Nebraska, as well as a '97 first-team all-state pick; Erin O'Neill, a teammate of Stramiello, was an honorable mention all-state and all-region selection last season.
More Challenges: In addition to adding a full complement of Pacific-10 Conference games this year, Arizona State will double its home games to 10. Out of conference teams on the slate for '97 include UTEP, Creighton, New Mexico, Loyola Marymount, Tennessee and Montana. After the NAU exhibition, the Sun Devils hit the road for five tilts in three different states. Sandwinched between non-conference games will be an early Pac-10 showdown against in-state rival Arizona on September 5. ASU will not begin home action until September 19 when they open a six game slate beginning with UTEP.
At The Helm: Terri Patraw enters her second year as the head coach of the Sun Devil soccer program. Without the use of the team's top two goalkeepers, as well as starting 10 freshman, Patraws' first-year squad went on to post a 4-11-1 record. This season Patraw and her coaching staff will have a full roster, including players from 11 different states. Before taking the head coaching reins at ASU last season, Patraw was an assistant coach at Washington State and perennial power Kentucky. Patraw, a native of Shoreview, Minn., played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin, where she earned All-America honors on the field as well as in the classroom. In addition to her newest assistant Jennifer Haigh, Patraw's other staff members include second year goalkeeper coach Korey Hlebichuk and second year volunteer assistant Robin Thomas.
Full Speed: Senior Amy Moxley and sophomore Erin Reinke, who both suffered season-ending injuries last season, will be back to help fortify the goalkeeping duties. Additionaly, Moxley will be looked upon for senior leadership and past NCAA experience (transferd from Kentucky).
1996 Arizona State Soccer Statistics (Final)
Scoring
Player Games Shots Goals Assists Points Sarah Balska 16 18 4 2 10 Kim Wagner 16 18 3 2 8 Marianne Simmons 16 14 4 0 8 Sharon Gillis 16 9 1 3 5 Jill Rivard 15 14 1 2 4 Julie Blagg 16 6 1 1 3 Kerrie Kulak 16 5 1 1 3 Melissa Reynolds 14 7 0 2 2 Aisha Thomas 16 18 1 0 2 Trisha Steiner 16 21 0 2 2Goalkeeping
Player Games Min. Shots Saves Goals GAA Kari Laughlin 12 1140 190 61 32 2.53 Erin Reinke 2 177 25 6 3 1.53 Amy Moxley 2 180 25 12 3 1.50