University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Women?s Soccer To Open Fall Camp On Saturday
08.03.2012 | Women's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The 2012 edition of the UNC Asheville women's soccer team reported to campus on Friday morning, as the Bulldogs are preparing for their upcoming season. Third-year coach Michelle Demko has been steadily rebuilding the UNC Asheville women's soccer program and progress should continue in 2012.
Last year the Bulldogs improved from one win in 2010 to four victories. Three of those wins came in Big South Conference play and allowed Asheville to qualify for the Big South Tournament for the first time in three seasons. The Bulldogs were preseason picks to finish last in 2011 but that didn't come close to happening as Asheville came in eighth place out of 11 teams.
Demko's club showed it wasn't just happy to be there as it top took top-seeded Radford to penalty kicks before the Highlanders survived the Bulldog challenge. RU would win its next two matches easily to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
“I thought we became more competitive as the season rolled on,” commented Demko. “We closed the gap on our opponents and gained confidence. We even found a way to win a few matches.”
Asheville was a young team in 2011 and will be even younger in 2012. Demko has brought in 10 freshmen, many of whom could play right away. The Bulldog coach believes her team will be better this year but preaches patience.
“I think we're going to be a much more athletic and dynamic squad this year,” admitted Demko. “Also, for the time since I've been here, we're going to have some real depth. Injuries have really crippled us the past two years. We don't want injuries this year, but we'll be able to absorb some injuries a little better.
“However, we're going to be an extremely young team,” added Demko. “I like the recruits we've brought in but there's a real learning curve going from high school to the college game. We're all going to have to be patient with this year's club.”
GOALKEEPER
Sophomore Heather Muller was Asheville's goalkeeper last year for every minute of every match. Like the Bulldog team, she improved as the season went on, earning All-Tournament honors for her play against Radford.
“Heather learned a great deal last season and should settle in even more as a sophomore,” declared Demko. “She's very athletic and really helps us when we want to go on a counter-attack. “
Junior Kristen Lawson is a versatile player who will compete for the starting spot in goal. She also has the ability to play midfield, as well.
“We really like Kristen's versatility,” said Demko. “She'll make a run at playing time as our starting goalkeeper. And we like the fact we could use her on the field. She can really strike the ball with power.”
DEFENSE
Asheville's defense will be anchored by junior Erin Ryan. She's been a starter in the back for the Bulldogs the past two seasons.
“Erin may be the hardest worker on our team,” explained Demko. “She uses her body well and is physical when she needs to be. Erin has the mentality to always look to go forward which is what we're looking for.”
Senior Elizabeth Keil missed last year due to studying abroad. She started for half the season in 2010 before injuries slowed her down.
“We're glad to have Elizabeth back,” commented Demko. “She's a good organizer and was a real spark for us two years ago. We're glad that we'll have her senior leadership this season.”
Sophomore Megan Foster missed the first part of the 2011 season with a knee injury before recovering to play in the final part of the year.
“We're glad to have Megan healthy this year,” stated Demko. “She sees the whole game quite well.”
Five freshmen will all vie for playing time in 2012. Start with 5-4 rookie Kelsey Palmer, who has a little more experience than the other freshmen.
“Kelsey graduated early and was able to join us in January,” said Demko. “She played in the spring and trained with us. We can use her in the back or in midfield. Kelsey is an attacking player who can play with both feet. We look for big things from her at UNC Asheville.”
Rachel Kish comes to Asheville from Reagan HS in Winston-Salem.
“Rachel will be a big presence in the back,” stated Demko. “She's very smart tactically and knows how to organize in the run of play. We expect Rachel to make an immediate impact on the backline starting with this season.”
Melanie Cusi is a player who can play both in midfield and in the back.
“Melanie is a good passer and solves pressure easily,” admitted Demko. “She comes from a great club program and is used to a high caliber of play.”
Wake Forest native Alex Stradford is another newcomer who can also play both in the back and in midfield.
“Alex is another player who comes from a really good club program,” commented Demko. “She has excellent speed and knows how to play the game.”
A teammate of Rachel Kish's at Reagan HS, Allie Jacobius, joins the Asheville program in the back.
“Allie is a hard worker who played with Rachel in high school,” said Demko. “She will provide depth in the back this season.”
MIDFIELD
Asheville returns some experience and has added some talented newcomers to the midfield.
Senior Ferriss Roberts enjoyed a breakout season in 2011. She was Asheville's fourth leading scorer with five goals and 12 points.
“Ferriss had a huge impact last season. We can play her up top or at wide midfield,” explained Demko. “She's a good one-on-one player who really strikes the ball hard. Ferriss will be a key player for us this year.”
Senior Hannah Jeske has started and played in all of the Bulldogs' 53 matches in her career.
“Hannah is one of our toughest players,” declared Demko. “She's great at winning balls in the air and keeping us balanced on offense and defense. Hannah is always there and has been a consistent force for our program.”
Junior Tarrah Tate was slowed last season with a shoulder injury that caused her to miss the second half of the year. She should be 100 percent in 2012.
“We missed Tarrah when she couldn't play last year,” explained Demko. “She's one of our best technical players and has great vision with good feet.”
The Bulldogs will have two freshmen competing for playing time in midfield this season. Both could make an immediate impact.
Local product Shenny Lenhart enjoyed a spectacular career at Reynolds HS. She scored 106 goals in her career.
“Shenny can play anywhere on the field,” commented Demko. “She obviously has the ability to score goals in a lot of different ways, but she's also an excellent playmaker. Shenny will provide a spark for our team this year. She's a real competitor.”
Michigan native Bria West has outstanding credentials, and Demko is excited about her potential.
“Bria is very creative on offense and will play center-midfield,” stated Demko. “She's a soccer junkie who knows the game really well.”
FORWARDS
Asheville returns most of its forwards from last season, and all of the returnees should be even better with a year of experience under their belts. Like everywhere else, Demko believes the newcomers will play a major role up front, too.
The Bulldogs return leading scorer Amanda Knapp to the roster in 2012. The junior forward really blossomed last year with six goals and 14 points. Three of her goals were game-winners.
“Amanda is one of our most dynamic forwards,” declared Demko. “She's not afraid to get physical and has the speed to get forward and behind the defense. Amanda is tough to defend and has the ability to score a lot of goals for us this season.”
Sophomore Amanda Dailor was one of five players to start and play in all 20 matches for Asheville in 2011. She scored a goal and added two assists.
“Amanda is the total package as she's one of our best players,” stated Demko. “She's doesn't get rattled and really likes to get forward. What we need for Amanda to do more this year is to take more shots and score more goals. She's more than capable.”
Sophomore Kaitlyn Eckert enjoyed a strong freshman campaign. She finished the year tied for the team lead in goals with six and was second in points with 15.
“Kaitlyn is a dangerous player that everyone one of our opponents will have to account for,” explained Demko. “She's one of our more crafty players and is very good at baiting defenders. When Kaitlyn is at her best, we're a pretty good soccer team.”
Senior Mary Beale has been a key contributor for the Bulldogs the past two seasons.
“What's great about Mary is she is always ready to play,” said Demko. “She's relentless in her pursuit when we attack. Mary has a high work rate, and we're glad we have her around for one more year.”
Three talented freshmen will have a chance to make an impact up front in 2012. Start with Kennedy Garrett from Cary, N.C.
“Kennedy will be one of our biggest competitors,” stated Demko. “She's a very strong player who does whatever it takes to win. Kennedy comes from a great club program in Cary and will be someone who will compete for playing time as a freshman.”
Paige Trent is a striker from Winston-Salem.
“Paige is a tremendous forward who has dangerous speed,” said Demko. “Her first instinct is go toward the goal at all times. She's quite comfortable playing up front, and we're anxious to see her perform this season.”
Bethany Spano rounds out Asheville's rookie forwards. She'll join the Bulldog family from Huntersville, N.C.
“Bethany is a player who provides immediate pressure on the defense,” commented Demko. “She's a player who our opponents will have to account for when she's on the field.”
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