Issue date: 9/3/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Gillian Ekern

With many new faces on the women's soccer team this year, it will be hard to improve on last year's 18-2-4 record. However, that doesn't mean Head Coach Sean Yengo and his team plan on taking this season off.

"They picked us to win (the conference)," Yengo said. "It was a little bit of a surprise after losing that many key roll-players last season. Obviously, though, predictions are just that - predictions."

The team returns less than half of its starting lineup, with only five players still on the roster. The biggest hole to fill from last season was left by All-American Amy Smith, who led the team in goals and also broke the school record for most goals in a career.

Senior Sam Krueger acknowledged that Smith's graduation was a huge loss, but said she thinks the team should still have plenty of firepower.

"Collectively as a team, I think that we will be able to make up for it," Krueger said. "We also have a couple of really good freshman and upperclassmen stepping into new shoes on the field."

New players will be a common theme for Eau Claire this season, as the team looks to find its identity. On top of contributions from a strong freshman class, the team also looks for help from two transfer students. Juniors Michelle Shannon and Richelle Shannon, twin sisters and Eau Claire natives, returned home and look to step into big rolls this year.

Sophomore Rachel Nerison also appears to be a key component this year. With 14 goals, she was last season's second-leading scorer, and she looks to improve on her already impressive college career.

Senior Amanda Shelton pointed out that other things will contribute to how the team does offensively this year as well.

"Our formation is now more offensive, so we'll be up there more," Shelton said. "We're running a 4-3-3."

The new style of play will put an extra player at the forward position and hopefully translate to more offensive situations.

Continued...

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