PREVIEW: Bruins Hope to Ride Mix of Veterans and Rookies to New Heights in NWC

NEWBERG, Ore. – With a roster almost evenly split between veterans and newcomers, the George Fox University Bruins hope to parlay that balance into an improved record and a higher spot in the Northwest Conference women’s soccer standings than last year’s tie for seventh during the upcoming 2011 season. 

“We will be looking for steady improvement in a conference that is probably deeper than it has ever been,” says Bruin head coach Andy Hetherington, who enters his 10th season at George Fox with a 61-103-10 record.  “I think we are a stronger squad than last year - but so are a lot of other teams in the league.”

The Bruins lost 11 letter winners and four starters from last year’s team that went 5-11-4 overall and 4-10-2 in the conference.  Among the losses were First Team All-NWC defender Melissa Leighty and two honorable mentions, midfielder Kirsten Cardwell and defender Nicole Akiu.  Cardwell closed out her career tied for fifth all-time in goals (26) and sixth in points (62), while Akiu was tied for ninth in career assists (11). 

Seven starters are back, however, among the 11 returnees and 12 new faces.  All-NWC honorable mention forward Melanie Gaither (Jr., Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview HS) and goalkeeper Alyssa Montero (So., Hermosa Beach, Calif. / Mira Costa HS) anchor the lineup. 

Gaither, who played as a freshman at NAIA power California Baptist University, led the Bruins in scoring in her first season back in the home area with five goals and four assists, tying for sixth in the conference with 14 total points.    

“Melanie did an outstanding job for us, bringing a fine offensive presence in terms of pace and scoring ability,” notes Hetherington.  “Our problem was that we didn’t score enough from elsewhere to take the pressure off her, and it became obvious we needed help up front for her.”

Hetherington believes he may have accomplished that goal with three offensive-minded newcomers in Sadi Stouder (So., Philomath, Ore. Philomath HS), a transfer from NCAA Division II Chico State University; Carrie Waheed (Fr., Mariposa, Calif. / Mariposa County HS); and Halee Pyatt (Fr., Aurora, Ore. / North Marion HS).

“Sadi is a terrific player, strong and competitive,” notes Hetherington.  “She and Melanie playing off each other ought to be a handful for anyone in our conference.  Carrie scored over 20 goals for her high school team last year; she gives us strength and stability and is an on-target player who knows how to play with her back to the goal.  Halee brings another physical presence to our front line and will really help us out.”

The Bruins’ midfield is solid with four returning starters in Shannon Olson (Sr., San Diego, Calif. / Santa Fe Christian HS), Cori Jo Young (Sr., Ridgefield, Wash. / Ridgefield HS), Esther Harder (Jr., Yamhill, Ore. / Yamhill-Carlton HS), and Molly Norton (Jr., Orange, Calif. / Orange HS).   Olson had two goals and two assists last year, Young two goals, and Harder and Norton one score apiece.

“I am really excited about our midfielders,” admits Hetherington.  “C.J. and Shannon are our team captains who give us great senior leadership, as well as experience and craft in the middle.  Esther is an industrious player who works hard and makes things happen.  Molly is a versatile athlete with an offensive flare who can also be used on defense.”  

Vying for playing time with the veterans are rookies Lela Stockley (Fr., Burien, Wash. / Highline HS), Madison Miller (Fr., Tigard, Ore. / Tigard HS), and Jamie Galbreath (Fr., Milwaukie, Ore. / Rex Putnam HS).

“Lela is an all-around player with great ball skills,” comments Hetherington.  “She is strong and has a fine work ethic.  Madison is a good playmaker and passer and, like Lela, is very creative.  Jamie is a strong, aggressive player who has been slowed by an Achilles injury, but we hope to have her ready by the end of our California trip.”

The defensive holes left by the departure of Leighty, whom Hetherington called “irreplaceable”, and Akiu are big.  In an effort to help plug the gaps, Corin Beaudry (Jr., Wilsonville, Ore. / Wilsonville HS), who played last year as Corin Kruse before getting married during the off-season, is shifting from the middle to the back row.

“Corin is one of those players who is always laid back and composed,” notes Hetherington.  “She is unflappable and will be a calming influence on our young defense.”

Also returning on defense for the Bruins are Katelyn Peer (Sr., Chelan, Wash. / Chelan HS), Erin Moriki (Jr., Kaneohe, Hawai’i / Hawai’i Baptist Academy), and Cassady Gardner (Sr., Littleton, N.H. / Littleton HS).   

“Katelyn has been an offensive player most of her career but will be a big asset for us as a converted forward,” says Hetherington.  “Erin has looked sharp as she brings speed and aggression to the back line.  Cassady gives us experience and skill; she’s a smart player with a cognitive grasp of the game.”

Among the new defenders, high school teammates Kaylee Kolin (Fr., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS) and Alicia Wong (Fr., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS) may have the best shots at cracking the starting line. 

“Kaylee is a quick, aggressive, strong central defender who was also an all-state lacrosse player,” points out Hetherington.  “Alicia complemented her brilliantly at Oregon City as a skilled center back who also brings aggression to her game.”

Rounding out the defenders are Haley Downey (Fr., Gresham, Ore. / Gresham HS), Cassidy Skillings (Fr., Molalla, Ore. / Molalla HS), and Page Prokop (Fr., Chandler, Ariz. / Tempe Preparatory Academy), who sat out her first two years of school before deciding to return to the game this fall.

“Haley can play right back or midfield,” Hetherington notes.  “”She is solid and relentless, with a lot of skill; we’re happy to have her.  Cassidy brings speed and determination to the central defense.  Page has shown a ‘never give up’ attitude and earned a spot with her tenacity and desire to play.”

Montero earned the goalkeeping chores last year by ranking second in the NWC with 102 saves and a .797 save percentage, but Becka Doyle (Sr., Portland, Ore. / David Douglas HS) and Lyndsee Landon (Jr., Richland, Wash. / Richland HS) provide solid insurance.  Doyle ranks fifth in Bruin history with five shutouts, while Landon, an all-state basketball player in high school, joins the program this fall after two seasons as a track athlete at Concordia University-Portland.

“Alyssa did a terrific job last year,” says Hetherington, “and has an all-around complete game.  Becka and Lyndsee are both real shot-stoppers with their size.  Lyndsee is very athletic and agile for her size, has great hands, and can kick the ball a ‘country mile’.”

It is the Bruins’ increase in size that has Hetherington the most optimistic this fall, as he commented “we will have a different dimension of physicality this year.  Our players played hard but were generally over-matched, strength-wise, last year.  We should be more competitive for the ball this season.  Obviously we work toward having a successful season every year, and I believe that goal is attainable this fall.”

The first step toward success for the Bruins this season will be their opener on Thursday, Sept. 1, as they visit Northwest University in Bellevue, Wash., for a 2:00 p.m. game.    Five straight road games open the season for the Bruins, who do not play at the Austin Sports Complex until their second conference game of the year against Whitman College on Sept. 17, kicking off at 12:00 noon.