Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Sept. 5, 1996, edition 1 / Page 7
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The Blue Banner Women champions return... Mark Plemmons Staff Writer Last season, the UNCA women’s soccer team ended with a 16-5 overall record, a Big South Conference cham pionship, and a number seven ranking in the regional poll. This fall, eleven starters from last season’s championship team returned to UNCA. But things change after you’ve won a championship, said women’s coach Michelle Cornish. “Expectations are higher this year and we know that,” said Cornish. “But that’s okay. We want to be in the position as one of the teams to beat. We like that kind of pressure and are anxious to get started. “However, we know that the days of sneaking up on people are over,” added Cornish. “We know that people will be gun ning for us this season, and again, that’s fine with us.” Senior Jill Young returned this year as the starting goalie. Young registered 12 shutouts last year and was co-MVP of the Big South Conference tournament, ending her season with a 76 percent average stopping goals. The good news for the Bull dogs and Young is that UNCA has a backup for her this year, freshman Christine Geske, from Brea, California. “The last two years we’ve basi cally gone without a backup for Jill,” Cornish said. “We’ve been fortunate that Jill hasn’t gotten hurt and has been able to play every game for us. We can rest a little easier now with Christine Geske. We think she’ll fit in quite well for us.” The Lady Bulldogs have an experienced defensive line this year, and have added another newcomer, freshman Kirsten Kiphardt. Kiphardt is expected to provide more depth in the defense this season. Returning senior Kristi Cummings, the school’s all- time leading scorer, provides leadership and experience for the forwards. Also back are Lynae King and Mackenzie Miller, both of whom were high scorers last year as well. While the midfield is also full of experienced players, the school’s third all-time leading scorer, senior Sanc^ Dror, was injured last season and only played in six games. Scheduled for surgery in the preseason, her status is un known for this year. The UNCA women opened their regular season play at Clemson University last Sat urday, losing 4-1. Young in jured her shoulder in the game and will miss part of the season. t y. Freshman Joe Granack guards llie ball in an exhibition game against Warren Wilson last week. UNCA won the game 4-0. In regular season play, UNCA lost to Clemson, 11-1. Plioto by Del DeLorm ... and the men follow their lead HIH I ' > J, X > 7 Vi Photo bv Jennifer Thurslon Mark Plemmons Staff Writer The men’s soccer team was 7-2 at the midpoint of last season, tying a school record with five straight wins, and picking up big non-conference wins over Appalachian State University, Stetson University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. But in October, UNCA lost six straight before defeating Winthrop University 1-0 in the final regular season game of the year. This win allowed the Bulldogs to make the Big South Conference tournament for the first time in four sea sons. “We made some huge strides last year and got off to a strong start,” said men’s coach Steve Cornish. “However, we ended the season on a disappointing note and we have only our selves to blame.” Eight starters and 16 lettermen have returned from last year. With experienced players returning, Cornish is grateful that the new players won’t be under as much pres sure to perform right away. Sean Gorbell, UNCA’s start ing goalie, graduated this past spring, leaving senior Mark Robinson, who backed up Gorbell for three seasons, to take over the position. “Sean Gorbell spoiled us for three years, but Mark is cer tainly capable,” Cornish said. “He had a good spring for us and his height (6’4") is cer tainly an advantage.” Neither is Cornish worried about the defensive returnees, headed by Rodney Levy. “Our lads in the back have extensive playing experience and are well organized. We should be fine here this year,” said Cornish. In the midfield is a mix of both new and experienced players, including senior Adam Stein, who earned first team all-conference honors, and freshman Brian Fairchild. Senior Mark Acquista, who led the Dogs in scoring last year, is constantly being marked by the opposing teams, and needs support to help him. “This (scoring) is an area we must get better in,” said Cor nish. Sophomore Mackenzie Miller (center, in white) scores the first goal of an exhibition game against Warren Wilson. UNCA opened the regular season on last Saturday at Clemson University. Ine Bulloogs lost, 4-1. Volleyball team opens challenging season in Charlotte Brad Davis Staff Writer The UNCA women’s volley ball team qoened its season with the UNC Preview tour nament in Charlotte on Aug. 30-31. “We won the tournament last year and I think last year no body expected us to come in and do anything. We kind of took them by surprise and won the whole thing,” said Julie Torbett, UNCA’s women’s volleyball coach. The Lady Bulldogs posted a 24-11 record last season and finished the season ranked tenth in the regional poll. Last season, UNCA started off by winning their first eight matches, a school record, in cluding last year’s UNC Pre view. “I think that I have a better team than I had last year,” said Torbett, “but we have a tougher schedule and so our record may not show that we are better.” The Lady Bulldogs are ranked tenth in the preseason regional poll. “UMBC (University of Mary- land-Baltimore County) and UNC-Greensboro will be the two teams to watch for. They always have good athletes in there, they have good programs, and good coaching, so they are always tough,” said Torbett. Five starters returned from last season including first team all-conference players Kim berly Osborne and Lorelee Smith, and one second team all-conference player, Caliy Geiger. “We’ve got three deep at each position, and we’ve got four girls six foot and over which is a first for UNCA,” said Torbett. Torbett believes that depth at the positions and height of the players will be the keys to success for UNCA this sea son and avoiding injuries. “Last year, our injuries to wards the end of the season hurt us in our overall finish in the tournament,” said Torbett, “so we’re just hop ing that we’ll stay strong and healthy instead of going down hill at the end. We want to peak at the tournament.” “We’ve always been real con sistent on ball handling and defense, that’s what I stress, but this year we have the luxury of having some height to go with it,” said Torbett. UNCA defeated UNC- Wilmington in four games on Friday and then defeated WCU in three games on Sat urday at the UNC Preview, but lost in the final to UNC- Charlotte. The Dogs had two players make the all-tournment team, senior Kimberly Osborne and sophomore Cally Geiger. 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Sept. 5, 1996, edition 1
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