After three consecutive winning seasons, Walsh suffered a setback last year falling to 7-10 overall. The Cavs also fell to 3-5 in the American Mideast Conference South Division and missed the post season. Veteran Head Coach Ed Vargo (54-51-5, 6 yrs.) returns 14 letter winners, in hopes of returning the Cavs to the post season.

Walsh returns eight starters from 2006, including AMC South Second Team midfielder Abby Swope (5-7, Sr., Wadsworth, OH/HS) and honorable mention keeper Rachel Burcher (5-4, So., Wadsworth, OH/HS). Swope, a first team selection as a junior, tallied five goals and dished out three assists last year. She is capable of much more. As a sophomore, she tallied 13 goals and dished out eight assists. Look for Swope to put together a big year. Burcher fashioned a 1.53 goals against averaged as a freshman, while playing in all 17 games.

In order for the Cavs to challenge in 2007, they need a return to form from former Second Team All-AMC South selection Amanda Waltz (F, 5-2, Sr., North Canton, OH/Hoover). After a breakthrough year in 2005, in which Waltz led the team in scoring with 16 goals and 39 points, she dipped to just one goal and one assist last year. The Cavs are confident that Waltz will again be a force offensively. Also returning is All-AMC Honorable Mention defender Shayna McDermitt (5-4, So, Green, OH/HS). McDermitt played in all 17 games last year, with one goal and three assists.

Scoring was the Cavs major problem in 2006, as they scored just 29 goals in 17 games. They were shutout eight times last year, and in seven of their last eight losses. Vargo feels the defense is in good hands, and those hands belong to Burcher. As a freshman she logged 1,239 minutes, with one shutout. Niki Vengrow (5-7, Jr., Akron, OH/Firestone) will serve as a back-up. Vengrow will also be utilized at midfield.

Waltz will be joined at forward by Christina Perna (5-8, Jr., Alliance, OH/Marlington) and Amanda Patrick (5-7, So., Medina, OH/Cloverleaf). Perna had two goals and an assist in 14 games, while Patrick tallied three goals in 17 games. The Cavs have a strong veteran presence at forward. Supplying depth and pushing the veterans will be Rachel Naumann (5-3, Fr., Hinckley, OH/Highland), Suzanne Flanigan (5-7, Fr., Cleves, OH/Seton) and former basketball letter winner Chrissy Summers (5-5, So., Doylestown, OH/Chippewa). All three are versatile enough where they will also see action at midfield.

The Cavs are deep at midfield, and it starts with Swope. The talented senior will play along side veteran Leya Spence (5-6, Jr., Mansfield, OH/Madison) and freshmen Rachel Naumann and Stephanie Sussman (5-4, Wadsworth, OH/HS). Others in the mix include Dana Speicher (5-5, So., Stow, Oh/Archbishop Hoban), Abbie Sullivan (5-5, Jr., Canton, OH/GlenOak) and Vengrow. Speicher saw action in eight games last year, while Sullivan returns to the team after lettering on the women’s basketball team last year.

The Cavs received a boost on defense, with the addition of Wheeling Jesuit transfer Katelyn Miracle (5-7, Sr., Seville, OH/Chippewa). Miracle, who may end up at sweeper, was a First Team All-WVIAC selection last year. She has one year of eligibility remaining. Starting with Miracle in the back will be returning veterans McDermitt and Amanda Dempsey (5-4, Sr., Green, OH/HS). The Cavs backline expects to be as strong as any they have had in the last few years. Other defenders include Ashley Hunter (5-6, So., Doylestown, OH/Chippewa), Stacy Poliak (5-5, So., Parma, OH/Normandy) and Chelsea Saunders (5-5, So., Hinckley, OH/Highland). Hunter, Poliak and Saunders all played last year and are expected to contribute.

The Cavs took a step back last year. Now is time for the veterans to step-up and return winning soccer to Walsh. The task is by no means an impossible one. There is plenty of talent for Ed Vargo to choose from. This is one of his deepest squads, and one that is ready to work and go the extra mile. The new faces must adapt to the collegiate game quickly, while the veterans must play to form.