On Track
August 19, 2004 02:19 PM | General
August 19, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women’s soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown says her team played well in its first scrimmage of the preseason against Virginia Tech Wednesday night.
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| Junior Marisa Kanela sacored two goals for the Mountaineers Wednesday in a scrimmage against Virginia Tech
(All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
The Mountaineers defeated the ACC-bound Hokies, 6-1.
“It was the first scrimmage and I think both teams were trying to get a feel for starting lineups and figuring out what was going to work best for the season,” said Izzo-Brown, who has guided WVU to four straight NCAA appearances and a 65-18-4 record during that span. “You can never really count on any type of scrimmage but I do think a lot of our girls got a little bit more confident and a little bit more confident with our team play.”
Team play has become a theme this year following the graduation All-Americans Chrissie Abbott and Lisa Stoia.
“I think everyone realizes that it has to be team play and everyone has to come together as a team,” said Izzo-Brown. “You can’t count on a Lisa Stoia or a Chrissie Abbott to get it done. They’ve got to step up and get it done themselves now.”
Junior forward Marisa Kanela scored two goals against the Hokies Wednesday evening. Senior Laura Kane also contributed a goal, as did Natalie Coochi and Rachael Minnich.
But the score that caught Izzo-Brown’s eye was that of freshman Kiley Harris, who took a feed from another freshman, Ashley Banks.
“Both of them got points on the board for us,” said the coach. “I think all of the freshmen have come in and contributed. Lisa DuCote went in there last night and did some real nice things. All of our freshmen are going to contribute to what we do this year.”
For the third straight year, Izzo-Brown and her coaching staff brought in a nationally ranked recruiting class. This year’s group consisting of Harris, Banks, DuCote, Kim Bonilla and Ashley Neal was ranked 24th by Soccer Buzz Magazine.
Because of this infusion of talent, Izzo-Brown believes camp so far this year has been the most competitive she’s witnessed at WVU.
“I think the girls want to get better and I think they have that burning desire and taste in their mouths of getting back to the ‘Sweet 16.’ This is the most competitive I’ve ever seen our team. Our girls are just killing each other,” she said.
Of the veterans, Izzo-Brown has been particularly pleased with the focus and determination exhibited by senior Laura Kane.
“This is the best shape she’s been in and she’s got the best mentality she’s ever had. She’s ready to do whatever it takes to make sure we come out on top,” Izzo-Brown said of the team’s leading returning goal scorer with 8 last year.
Izzo-Brown noted that senior defender Ashley Weimer and sophomore keeper Lana Bannerman are having good fall camps as well.
“Last night Lana came up with a big-time save for us that we needed,” said the coach. “You ask your keepers to make the saves they’re supposed to make and keep us in games and last night it was good for her to be tested and to come up with a save like that.
“And Ashley Weimer is doing a good job leading the back line and I think they’re going to be really effective,” she added. “I thought the organization around the net was very good last night."
Another aspect Izzo-Brown has been pleased with her team is its conditioning. That, in turn, has allowed her to spend more time this fall working on a game plan instead of getting them into playing shape.
“They took care of business this summer,” Izzo-Brown said. “Everyone is back and ready and I think Autumn Speck (WVU deputy director of strength and conditioning) has done a great job with our fitness and obviously the girls made a huge commitment this summer to be ready.”
In the coming days Izzo-Brown would like to establish a set lineup and to continue to develop the cohesiveness needed to compete in the traditionally tough Big East Conference.
“We just need to understand what everyone’s role is on the team,” she offered. “And then we’ve got to build that team chemistry and understanding of what each player is going to do when they have the ball.”
West Virginia will have one final preseason match this Sunday at Penn State before getting ready for its season opener at Kentucky on Friday, Aug. 27 in Lexington. The No. 20-ranked Mountaineers will also face Ohio on Sunday, Aug. 29, before opening at home against Purdue on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
The dedication for the brand new 1,600-seat Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium will be on Sunday, Sept. 5, against nationally ranked Virginia. The women will face the Cavaliers at 2 pm while the men will take on Mount St. Mary’s at 4:30 pm.
