Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Soccer programs in their third year of existence aren't supposed to be this dangerous. But Grace College women's soccer coach Mark Sproul can begin to smile about this one.
With 10 returning players and 17 freshmen, the program could easily eclipse last year's 6-13 record.
The recruiting for this season was so strong that Eve Arthur, last year's NCCAA Midwest Region Player of the Year, may only be the third best player on the team. And Kim Abshagen, who was named All-Conference and All-Region, might not even start.
"We're adding speed and experience," Sproul said. "On the whole, we'll be better and we'll be deeper. Last year, our first player off the bench was playing soccer for the first time."
Sproul expects as many as seven freshmen to start on the team and leading the pack is Ashli Moon, Deb Downing, Christina Clark, Tonya Christl and Ellen Kegarise.
Sproul said Moon could be a Division I player and will play at defensive center mid. Downing, Kegarise and Christl will provide speed for the offense and Clark will help in the midfield.
"Defense is our biggest weakness," Sproul said. "We have two freshmen, two sophomores and our goalie, Sara Orem, is out until midseason with an injury."
That defense could be the key to the improvement. Grace allowed seven goals in its first two matches of the season before beating Marian, a first-year program, 10-0. If that defense can remain steady, the Lancers should not have much of a problem finding success.
Although it will take time for that defense to jell together, Sproul thinks a .500 record and a third place finish in the Mid-Central Conference are reasonable goals.
"If we accomplish that, we're doing pretty well," Sproul said. "I have a hard time believing another school did a better job recruiting than us."
The third place finish in the MCC could play out to a dogfight. St. Francis will probably win the conference title and Indiana Wesleyan looks to have the inside track for second place. After that, Grace, Bethel, Goshen and Taylor will all battle with each other.
"Our schedule is tougher than last year," Sproul said. "The competition is improving just as much as we are."
After a 2-1 start, the Lancers will host Olivet Nazarene Saturday before heading to St. Francis Tuesday for an important MCC matchup.
Grace College Women's Soccer Schedule
Sept.
4 Indiana Tech (at Cornerstone) 4-3(W)
5 at Cornerstone 3-4(L)
8 at Marian 10-0(W)
12 OLIVET NAZARENE 1 p.m.
15 at St. Francis 2 p.m.
19 TRINITY CHRISTIAN 1 p.m.
23 TAYLOR 4 p.m.
26 DOMINICAN 1 p.m.
30 at Huntington 4 p.m.
Oct.
3 at Judson 11:30 a.m.
6 at Indiana Wesleyan 6 p.m.
10 MANCHESTER 1 p.m.
14 GOSHEN 3 p.m.
20 BETHEL 3 p.m.
24 at Cedarville 1 p.m.
31 at Robert Morris 1 p.m.
Nov.
3,5,7 MCC Tournament TBA
10-14 NCCAA District Tournament TBA
18-21 NCCAA National Tournament TBA
Grace College Women's Soccer Roster
No. Name Pos. Year Hometown
18 Kim Abshagen For So. Paw Paw, Mich.
4 Eve Arthur Mid Jr. Delaware, Ohio
9 Heather Aspen Mid Fr. Matteson, Ill.
8 Brook Avey Def. Sr. Manheim, Penn.
2 Tonya Christl For Fr. Danville, Penn.
19 Christina Clark Mid Fr. Delaware, Ohio
16 Cameo Currie For Sr. Ashland, Ohio
5 Susie Dearborn Mid So. Okeechobee, Flor.
7 Deborah Downing Mid Fr. Portland, Oreg.
1 Carol Fern GK Jr. Bridgeport, Conn.
20 Lisa Glick Def Fr. Bristol
11 Ellen Kegarise For Fr. Manheim, Penn.
21 Melissa Martin Mid Fr. New Port Richey, Flor.
13 Ashli Moon Def Fr. New Holland, Penn.
14 Patricia Muldoon Mid Fr. Three Rivers, Mich.
12 Kathryn Mutchler Mid Fr. Worthington, Ohio
6 Jennifer Olszewski For Jr. Rittman, Ohio
22 Sarah Orem GK Jr. Columbia Falls, Mont.
17 Stephanie Proko Def So. Fredonia, Wisc.
15 Melanie Rominski Def Fr. Wheaton, Ill.
10 Emily Swank Def So. Middlebury
3 Vanessa Willis Mid So. Houston, Texas
