Central Michigan University Athletics
Ohio Tabbed Preseason MAC Favorite In Women's Soccer
8/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 18, 2003
Cleveland-- Ohio University is the favorite to claim its second regular-season MAC title in three years according to the league's head coaches, the MAC office announced on Friday with its preseason poll.
Coming off of a strong season in which the Bobcats finished third in the MAC, Ohio returns sixteen letterwinners, including eight starters. Among those returnees are All-MAC second team selections Crystal Reed and Christel Schiering. Schiering ranked among the MAC leaders in key offensive categories last season. The senior was fourth in points with 33 and third in goals scored with 15.The Bobcats also bring back midfielder Kendra Hornschemeier, the MAC leader in assists. On the defensive side of the field, Ohio will be strong again as it returns junior goalkeeper Michelle Meglaughlin, who tied for the league lead in shutouts last year with seven.
Ball State is picked to finish second during the regular-season, but is the favorite come tournament time. The Cardinals are coming off of a program-best 14 wins overall, including nine within conference play. Guiding Ball State will be 2002 MAC Coach of the Year Ron Rainey. Under Rainey's tutelage, the Cardinals have increased win totals each year since the program began in 1999.
The Cardinals return fifteen letterwinners overall, including seven starters from last year's squad. Plenty of offensive firepower is back with the return of first team All-MAC honoree Dee Nocero, who had 26 points. Joining Nocero is second team All-MAC selection Kate Nadalin, who was fourth in the league in goals scored with 14 goals. Ball State also returns a second team All-MAC performer in goalkeeper Megan Swafford. Swafford was tops in the league with a .68 goals against average, for goaltenders who played in at least ten matches.
According to the MAC coaches poll, Miami is predicted to finish third. The RedHawks return 10 letterwinners from last year's regular season championship team. This year's team looks to give Miami its fourth consecutive MAC tournament championship. In addition, last season's squad set a MAC record for most overall wins (19) and most conference wins (11). To have continued success, the RedHawks will have to replace MAC player of the year Danielle Berkemeier, and other first team All-MAC selections Danielle Altiero, Andrea Cunningham, and Audry Wieman. Also lost is second team All-MAC performer Shaedyn Cousino. Miami will rely heavily this season on Ashley Swinehart, a first team All-MAC honoree in 2002, who ranked third on the team in points behind Berkemeier and Cunningham. The RedHawks also bring back goalkeeper Leigh Terry, who ranked second in the league behind Ball State's Swafford, with a .98 goals against average.
Tabbed for fourth place is Bowling Green. The Falcons return 16 letterwinners, with 10 of those being starters. In 2002, the Falcons finished fourth in the MAC, its best ever finish.. Junior Kristy Coppes led the Falcons with 26 points, 12 goals scored, four of which were match-winners. Bowling Green expects big things from MAC Freshman of the Year Samantha Meister, who was third on the team in points. The main challenge facing this year's squad is replacing first team All-MAC goaltender Erika Flanders, who played every minute of Bowling Green's matches last year. Flanders tied for the league lead in shutouts last year with Ohio's Meglaughlin.
Coming in fifth place in the poll is Eastern Michigan. The Eagles bring back sixteen letterwinners, including nine starters. Among those is first team All-MAC selection Jessica Hupe, who is the top returning goal scorer in the MAC. Hupe scored 17 goals in 21 games, which was good enough to lead the league in goals per game with a .82 average. The senior forward is also the leading returnee in points. In addition to her 17 goals, Hupe tallied 5 assists for a total of 39 points. Eastern Michigan looks to return to its form of 2001, when the Eagles finished second in the MAC.
Rounding out the top six is Western Michigan. The Broncos return second team All-MAC selection Michelle Palazzolo. Palazzolo teams with sophomore goalkeeper Kate Perz to lead the Broncos in its defensive effort.. Perz started 10 matches last season, and compiled a goals against average of .88
Due to a recent change in polling procedures implemented at the Directors of Athletics' meeting in July, the MAC announces only the top six selections.
