Women's soccer welcomes new faces
Campus Times
September 18, 1998
by Ryan Allen
Arts & Entertainment Editor
With a squad of seven freshmen, five sophomores, and one junior and
senior, one would think that the University of La Verne women's soccer team
would be looking ahead a couple of years before they would expect to win
a conference title.
This is not the case, however, this year their goal is to take it one
game at a time and eventually win the Southern California Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship.
The Leopards are starting six freshmen alongside their returners who,
head coach Wendy Zwissler said, "are all key returners, because we
need everyone of them."
ULV returns sophomore defender Cara Forrest, sophomore midfielder and
Far West All-Star first team selection Katie Zwissler, second team All-SCIAC
sophomore forward Rachel Lieberman, sophomore defender Robin Haaker, junior
forward Deanna Kodama, and senior defender Alicia Raygoza.
The remaining eight girls on the team are comprised of seven freshmen
and a sophomore who make the core of the team very young.
This does not bother coach Zwissler, who said, "They worked hard
during the summer when they came into camp this year they were in real good
shape, which makes it easier for us."
The women's soccer team lost some players from last year to injury and
disinterest, but this year," said Wendy Zwissler. "Their dedication
is awesome, their skills are awesome, now we just need to build their experience
up to the same level."
A key position for the Leopards this year is their goal keeper, Kim
Schrepfer, who, although she is a freshman, comes in with experience.
The ULV coaches plan to scout all their opponents and adjust their offense
and/or defense accordingly, which shows the versatility of this 1998 women's
soccer team.
La Verne will face its normal conference competition and expect Cal
Lutheran to continue to be the foe the women must overcome for the conference
title.
ULV won its season opener against Wheaton College (3-2), from Massachusetts
but lost its next two games in Oregon to George Fox (0-1) and Concordia
(0-2), respectively.
In both losses, the Leopards were on their opponents' defensive third
for more than 60 minutes of the 90-minute affairs. But ULV could not finish
to score a goal.
The Leopards open SCIAC on the road against the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Athenas tomorrow at 11 a.m.
A year ago, ULV was 12-4 overall but failed to qualify for the playoffs
in the Western Region, as Cal Lutheran and UC San Diego were selected ahead
of the Leopards.
La Verne continues conference play Wednesday when it travels to Redlands
for a 4 p.m. kickoff, and Sept. 26, ULV goes to Cal Lutheran for an 11 a.m
start.
The Leopards return to Ben Hines Field on Sept. 29 to host Pomona-Pitzer
at 4 p.m. After playing in Eagle Rock against Occidental on Oct. 3 at 11
a.m., La Verne returns home Oct. 7 and plays Whittier at 7 p.m.
