2010 Walsh University Women's Soccer Outlook
Head Coach Sara Renard returns for her second season at Walsh. Renard guided the Cavs to the playoffs in her first year with a 6-9-3 overall record. The Cavs finished 6-5 in the American Mideast Conference. However, don't be fooled by the Cavs overall mark. They were involved in a school-record six overtime games and three ties. With a little luck, 6-9-3 could have easily been 10-5-3.
Youth will again be at the forefront, mixed with experience, as the Cavs return one senior and three juniors and seven starters from last year. Renard hopes the talented incoming class will fill some of the holes.
Walsh allowed just 1.47 goals per game and recorded five shutouts. In goal, Walsh will be led by two-time All-AMC selection Jill Zanney (Jr. 5-11, Brunswick, OH/HS). Zanney earned third-team honors last year after receiving second-team accolades her freshman year. She notched five shutouts year and compiled a 1.40 goals against average. Sara Boytim (So., 5-8, Springboro, OH/HS) and incoming freshman Megan McMaster (5-6, Massillon, OH/Perry) will provide strong insurance between the pipes.
In the back, sophomore, Kelly Sklenar (5-3, Canfield, OH/Cardinal Mooney) will once again anchor the defense. Sklenar earned honorable mention All-AMC honors last year playing in all 18 games. Freshman Olivia Buttery (5-4, Canton, OH/Jackson) will see plenty of action in the center as well as at midfield. Buttery is a former second-team All-Stark County selection. Third-team All-AMC selection Erin Naumann (5-1, So., Medina, OH/Highland) will patrol the outside back position and run the flanks. Naumann played in all 18 games and handed out three assists last year. Returning veterans Michelle Sloan (5-3, So., Farmdale, OH/Maplewood) and Emma Engler (4-11, So., Canfield, OH/Cardinal Mooney) will be counted on heavily at the outside back position, along with freshmen Brittany Kungle (5-4, Akron, OH/Copley). Sloan played in six games last year and Engler five. Leanne Louive (5-9, Fr., Massillon, OH/Washington), Cassie Wright (5-6, Fr., Ashville, OH/Teays Valley), and Lauren Block (5-4, Fr., Canton, OH/GlenOak) will also see action on defense.
Walsh looks to be strong at center midfield, led by lone senior Rachel Naumann (5-3, Medina, OH/Highland), along with Mollie Vanover (5-8, Jr., Tipp City, OH/Tippecanoe), Maggie Vinopal (5-7, So., Boardman, OH/Cardinal Mooney) and talented incoming freshman Lauren Jokovich (5-4, Canton, OH/Jackson). Naumann earned honorable mention All-AMC honors after tallying three goals with an assist in 18 games. Vanover saw plenty of action in earning her second letter, while Vinopal scored two goals in 13 games in her freshman season. Jokovich earned first-team All-Stark County recognition last year after scoring six goals and handing out six assists.
Gina Pinzone (So., 5-6, Cleveland, OH/Padua Franciscan) will run the flanks along with Alyssa Akers (5-6, So., Twinsburg, OH/HS) and Jessica McMasters (5-4, Jr., Cuyahoga Falls, OH/HS) who returns after being sidelined the past two years due to injury. Pinzone earned her first letter playing in all 18 games, with one goal and three assists, while Akers saw action in six games. Holly Repas (5-6, So., Stow, OH/HS), Liz Broome (5-5, Fr., Doylestown, OH/Chippewa) and Maggie Petros (5-7, Fr., Louisville, OH/HS) will also see action on the outside. Repas played in four games last year and handed out an assist. Broome earned first-team All-District honors and was tabbed the best defensive player three times. Petros was a first-team All-Stark County and All-NBC selection after scoring eight goals and handing out 20 assists her senior year.
Walsh’s leading scorer from last year, Molly Martin (5-7, So., Canfield) (5 goals, 3 assists), will spend time up top as well as in the midfield. Martin earned second-team All-AMC and first-team All-Ohio accolades after scoring five goals and handing out three assists for a team-leading 13 points. She will play with speedy forward Carley Adams (5-8, So., Louisville, OH/HS). Adams was second on the team with five goals and 12 points and came on strong toward the end of the season. Freshmen Kirsten Gillespie (5-7, Hinckley, OH/Highland) and Rachel Rucker (5-5, Uniontown, OH/Lake) are also expected to make an immediate impact up top.
Look for the Cavs to contend and show much improvement in their second year under Renard. They have good depth and play well as a unit. If they find some added scoring punch to go along with Martin and Adams, they could be in store for a very exciting season.
