Women's Soccer Fields An Experienced, Hungry Team In 2015
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lady Lancers achieved a number of firsts last season – its first NAIA Top 25 ranking, its first appearance in a national championship game – all while playing night games under the lights for the first time in the newly renovated Miller Athletic Complex.
But Grace, who ended the year 17-5-3 and ranked No. 18 in the final Top 25 poll, is not resting on its laurels. Head coach Michael Voss, the program’s all-time winningest coach, has the team’s sights set higher this fall.
“We aren’t settling on our past accomplishments. We are going to give our very best and leave the results to God,” Voss said. “Our goal is [making] the NAIA Nationals. It’ll be exciting to watch this team go hard.”
Grace will be tested from the onset of the 2015 campaign. Voss has arranged one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the nation, including a matchup with NAIA national runner-up Northwestern Ohio at home on Sept. 19. Two of Grace’s first three matches are against teams who ended 2014 in the NAIA Top 25 as well (Bellevue, The Master’s). To prepare them for the rigors of the schedule, Voss has put the Lady Lancers through “the most intense preseason training we’ve ever had.”
Voss hopes to “see what we’re made of” from the formidable early-season schedule. “We will always try to play tough, highly ranked teams. The goal is to beat them all, but whether or not we can achieve that depends on if we play to our redemptive potential. This schedule will be difficult. It will stretch us and test our depth, but all of us are eager to see just where exactly we match up.”
Grace boasted one of the stingiest defenses in the NAIA in 2014, ranking second in the nation with 14 shutouts. Sophomore goalkeeper Abby Schue was a First Team NCCAA All-American selection last year after giving up 0.49 goals per contest. Returning starters Faith Voehringer, Meredith Matson, Heather Martin and Erica Manchess form a formidable defensive line. Carlie Salinas, Kristelle Jadoo and Marina Tolczyk add tremendous depth to the back line.
Senior Carianne Sobey highlights Grace’s midfield for her final season. Sobey, the program’s career leader in assists, dished out 12 assists in 2014. Meghan Wiles, Darcy Johnston, Maile Grout, Emma Neahusan, and Jerusalem Groves give Voss a wealth of options at his disposal to drive his unique possession style of play.
Grace should not lack for scoring as the squad returns 86 percent of its goals from 2014. Local standouts Mallory Rondeau (a senior from Wawasee) and Meredith Hollar (a junior and Warsaw alum) give Grace an experienced, fearsome attack. Rondeau was the 2014 NCCAA National Player of the Year after racking up 18 goals and 11 assists, and Hollar tallied eight goals and five assists. Returning forwards Jordan Hairgrove, Kaitlyn Hayes and Sabina Meyers fortify a deep rotation.
Voss brought in six new faces in the offseason, adding much-needed depth across the field. Defenders Hannah Miller, Clair Snodgrass and Kristen Bellinger, midfielder Allison Vroon and forwards Shelby Fort and Aubrey Feipel have impressed their new coach so far this preseason. “There is already very good chemistry with our returning players and the rookies. The newer players are very competent. They are doing a fantastic job adjusting to the college game.”
Grace’s roster is lined with fantastic individual talents, including five returning All-Crossroads League players. But Voss maintains that Grace’s collective unit will propel the team to reach its goals. “Our group is solid across the board. This is a very balanced team with quality players from top to bottom. What we will accomplish, we will accomplish as a group together,” he said. “We have the tools to achieve our goals, but we will need to demonstrate consistency through December.”
Grace officially kicks off the 2015 season at home against Bellevue at 8 p.m. Aug. 22.[[In-content Ad]]
The Lady Lancers achieved a number of firsts last season – its first NAIA Top 25 ranking, its first appearance in a national championship game – all while playing night games under the lights for the first time in the newly renovated Miller Athletic Complex.
But Grace, who ended the year 17-5-3 and ranked No. 18 in the final Top 25 poll, is not resting on its laurels. Head coach Michael Voss, the program’s all-time winningest coach, has the team’s sights set higher this fall.
“We aren’t settling on our past accomplishments. We are going to give our very best and leave the results to God,” Voss said. “Our goal is [making] the NAIA Nationals. It’ll be exciting to watch this team go hard.”
Grace will be tested from the onset of the 2015 campaign. Voss has arranged one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the nation, including a matchup with NAIA national runner-up Northwestern Ohio at home on Sept. 19. Two of Grace’s first three matches are against teams who ended 2014 in the NAIA Top 25 as well (Bellevue, The Master’s). To prepare them for the rigors of the schedule, Voss has put the Lady Lancers through “the most intense preseason training we’ve ever had.”
Voss hopes to “see what we’re made of” from the formidable early-season schedule. “We will always try to play tough, highly ranked teams. The goal is to beat them all, but whether or not we can achieve that depends on if we play to our redemptive potential. This schedule will be difficult. It will stretch us and test our depth, but all of us are eager to see just where exactly we match up.”
Grace boasted one of the stingiest defenses in the NAIA in 2014, ranking second in the nation with 14 shutouts. Sophomore goalkeeper Abby Schue was a First Team NCCAA All-American selection last year after giving up 0.49 goals per contest. Returning starters Faith Voehringer, Meredith Matson, Heather Martin and Erica Manchess form a formidable defensive line. Carlie Salinas, Kristelle Jadoo and Marina Tolczyk add tremendous depth to the back line.
Senior Carianne Sobey highlights Grace’s midfield for her final season. Sobey, the program’s career leader in assists, dished out 12 assists in 2014. Meghan Wiles, Darcy Johnston, Maile Grout, Emma Neahusan, and Jerusalem Groves give Voss a wealth of options at his disposal to drive his unique possession style of play.
Grace should not lack for scoring as the squad returns 86 percent of its goals from 2014. Local standouts Mallory Rondeau (a senior from Wawasee) and Meredith Hollar (a junior and Warsaw alum) give Grace an experienced, fearsome attack. Rondeau was the 2014 NCCAA National Player of the Year after racking up 18 goals and 11 assists, and Hollar tallied eight goals and five assists. Returning forwards Jordan Hairgrove, Kaitlyn Hayes and Sabina Meyers fortify a deep rotation.
Voss brought in six new faces in the offseason, adding much-needed depth across the field. Defenders Hannah Miller, Clair Snodgrass and Kristen Bellinger, midfielder Allison Vroon and forwards Shelby Fort and Aubrey Feipel have impressed their new coach so far this preseason. “There is already very good chemistry with our returning players and the rookies. The newer players are very competent. They are doing a fantastic job adjusting to the college game.”
Grace’s roster is lined with fantastic individual talents, including five returning All-Crossroads League players. But Voss maintains that Grace’s collective unit will propel the team to reach its goals. “Our group is solid across the board. This is a very balanced team with quality players from top to bottom. What we will accomplish, we will accomplish as a group together,” he said. “We have the tools to achieve our goals, but we will need to demonstrate consistency through December.”
Grace officially kicks off the 2015 season at home against Bellevue at 8 p.m. Aug. 22.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092