Michigan State University Athletics
Women's Soccer To Open Regular Season On Aug. 25
8/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 24, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Looking at the 2000 season, Michigan State women's soccer head coach Tom Saxton is optimistic about his team's chances. Looking at records can sometimes be deceiving. In 1999, the Spartans won just six games for the second consecutive season. And while Saxton admits he was disappointed in the overall record, he also points out his team's improvement. In Big Ten play, Michigan State won three more conference games than it had the previous season. In a conference ranked the second toughest by the NCAA, such an improvement is quite an accomplishment.
But the improved league play is just the first of many steps on the way to becoming a better team. It's also important to capitalize on strengths while seeking to improve weaknesses. Michigan State was among the top five defensive teams, but was shut out in nine games and scored only once in six others. Realizing that the Spartans suffered from a lack of goal scoring or even offensive chances in 1999, Saxton has changed his offensive attack scheme for the upcoming season. The Spartans will open the fall with a 4-3-3 formation.
"The big challenge this year is to maintain a strong defensive presence, but also put the ball in the net," said Saxton. "The new system will allow us to forecheck and create pressure. We think we have good enough athletes in our forwards that we can pressure defenses into mistakes and create more chances."
But to successfully execute a system, it's necessary to have skilled players that are able to work together. Several key players from 1999 are gone, including graduated seniors Melissa Jannetta, Laura Montecillo and Jessica Moorman. While the Spartans return several talented players in addition to an outstanding freshman class, Saxton has some concern about the team's chemistry.
"We lost several key players that were good team people and showed leadership," Saxton explained. "Since soccer is such a team game, my concern is getting their chemistry back. There's going to be a time early in the preseason when there is a void in leadership and we need someone to step forward and fill that void."
Once the team begins to operate as a cohesive unit, Saxton believes he has the talent that can make for an exciting team.
Goalkeeping
With all the talk about increased emphasis on goal scoring, the strength of the Spartans remains its last line of defense: the goalkeeper.
Senior Sara Kloosterman returns after a great junior campaign during which she ranked among the Big Ten leaders in nearly every statistical category.
"Sara is not only one of the best goalkeepers in the Big Ten, but also in the region," said Saxton. "Last year she won a couple of games for us single-handedly, where we got an early goal and then she faced a lot of pressure and came up with key saves. She is capable of doing that every game."
Backing up Kloosterman will be incoming freshman Stacy Heller. A regional Olympic development player and all-stater from Madison, Wis., Heller should provide Kloosterman with a challenge and provide the team with security in goal.
Junior Suzanne Dickie will also provide depth in goal, which as Saxton explains is a must for any successful team.
"We have had teams in the past that have struggled because of injuries and uncertainty in goal," said Saxton. "Now the position is one of our strengths, which is important because it allows other players to play with confidence and ease instead of playing with the fear of goalkeeper error. Everyone believes that if for some reason, the defense breaks down, the keeper will be ready to make the play."
Defense
If goalkeeping is the strength of the Spartans, the defense is a close second.
Michigan State has five players, Ann Cieszkowski, Nicole LePlae, Amy Allen, Erin Stohl and Amy Abner, who have each started in defense at some point in their career. While MSU loses Melissa Jannetta, who was the anchor of the 1999 defense, they gain the services of Andi Seid who was Michigan's Miss Soccer in 1999.
With so much talent at the position, Saxton can't help but be excited about his team's depth at defense.
"In past years we've had some depth problems," said Saxton. "I've been reluctant to substitute because the experience or talent will fall off. That's not going to be true this year. We're going to have several choices and that's going to make for a more stable year without having to worry about injury."
Strategically, Michigan State will play a flat four defense without a traditional sweeper. As Saxton explains, this will allow each player to take a leadership role.
"I think the change will bring out the best in each of our players," explained Saxton. "Playing four across also gives us the security and flexibility to attack more aggressively from the back. All of our defense players are talented offensively so we should be able to get some good scoring chances out of that."
Midfield
The midfield is an area of uncertainty for the Spartans. With the departure of four-year starter Laura Montecillo, Michigan State will need to find some stability at the position. Saxton enters the fall expecting to play three midfielders, although he is unsure of who those three will be.
Sophomore Heidi Lutz is the surest bet of earning a starting spot. After a great freshman year, she will most likely be the anchor of the midfield.
Challenging for the other starting positions will be a combination of veterans and newcomers. Seniors Kristie Rehman and Sarah Lawlor are coming off solid springs. Fellow senior Kate Knorring is attempting to come back from injury after playing just nine games in 1999. If the veterans can't earn a starting spot, look for a true freshman to see significant time. Saxton believes Tiffany Lawkowski, Michelle Perum and Erica Whatley could challenge for a midfield position.
Forward
If the Spartans are to have a more potent scoring attack, they will need more production out of their forwards.
"We have to get more consistent finishing and better play at forward than we did last year," said Saxton. "Some of the problems last year were a result of injuries and players changing position."
That being said, Saxton is excited about the trio of returning forwards in junior Emily Clarke and seniors Gina Dawson and Kim Van Cleef.
"I've really challenged them and expect them to pick up their game a little," explained Saxton. "It's about creating chances and scoring goals. But it's also about working hard defensively to put pressure on the opponent."
After spending her junior campaign in the midfield, Saxton thinks Dawson will benefit from the return to forward.
"She has the potential to score 15 goals," said Saxton. "Last year her situation didn't allow her to play at her best. If we do the job around her up front, she's capable of scoring a lot of goals."
Junior Kim Corcoran will also challenge for time at forward. A member of the MSU women's ice hockey club, she has a knack for making plays.
In addition to the returning forwards, Michigan State is bringing in a solid group of freshmen: Kristi Arrington, Trisha Kenney and Shannon Grimley. Saxton is most impressed with the speed of his newcomers.
"The freshman bring in a lot of speed which is something that has been missing in previous seasons," said Saxton. "There is always the fear of the freshman transition but even if they make mistakes mentally or physically, they still have speed which makes up for a lot of mistakes."
The Schedule
The Spartans open the regular season with two road contests before making their home debut on Friday, September 1 against Detroit. MSU will also face Oakland, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan during the non-conference schedule and take a trip to California in late October to play St. Mary's and San Francisco.
In the Big Ten, the Spartans are competing in a conference ranked by the NCAA as the second toughest league in the nation. Last season, Michigan, Minnesota and Penn State made the NCAA Tournament with the Nittany Lions advancing to the Final Four On Sunday, September 17, Michigan State opens the Big Ten season at home against Ohio State. MSU then goes through a stretch of four Big Ten road contests followed by four Big Ten home games, including dates with Northwestern (Oct. 6), Michigan (Oct. 8), Wisconsin (Oct. 13) and Minnesota (Oct. 15). The Big Ten schedule concludes with a home game against Penn State on Oct. 27.
