University Southern California Trojans
2000 Women's Soccer Outlook
August 17, 2000 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2000
"Eight" is the operative word for the USC women's soccer program.
It is year eight in the program's history and eight starters from last year's squad return to go along with the best recruiting class in school history as USC makes its push to be considered among the nation's elite programs.
Fifth-year head coach Jim Millinder is installing a high-pressure, high-octane offensive scheme designed to create a brand of soccer that he hopes not only will be exciting for soccer fans, but also will take full advantage of the talent that he now possesses on the team.
For a team that has averaged at least 14 victories in each of the last four seasons, the Trojans have built a consistent program. USC (14-6 overall in 1999, 7-2 in the Pac-10 for second place), however, is anxious to go deeper into the NCAA Tournament, rather than just be happy to make a brief appearance like it has the past two years. A combination of youth and experience puts the Women of Troy on the verge of making a name in the college soccer world this season. The players are focused on the goal.
"The one thing I see in the team this year is that they seem to be determined," said Millinder. "It's a tight knit group and I think everyone is really committed to play well."
Here is a look at the 2000 Women of Troy position-by-position:
FORWARDS
The forward position for the Trojans will see some competition in training camp. Junior Christy Callier will lead the way at the position for the Trojans. She was the team's most valuable offensive player and a solid year from her would only enhance the Trojans' postseason hopes.
The key to the Trojans' offensive attack this season may center on the ability of freshman Jessica Edwards to adjust to the collegiate game. With the Arizona State Player of the Year honor on her resume, she will be a focal point of opposing players.
Junior Brittany Savelkoul and sophomore Jackie Fodor both were valuable reserves at forward for the Trojans last season and both have an opportunity to break into the starting lineup. Sophomore Jennifer Prigmore earned the nickname "Super-Sub," playing in 17 games and tying for third on the team with six goals. She will be a key substitute in the Trojans' new system, but also has a chance to be a starter.
Additional speed was expected from incoming freshman Shannon Cross, but a torn knee ligament will force her to redshirt this season.
MIDFIELDERS
A mix of experience and talent gives the Trojans a formidable midfield. Despite the loss of two-time All-American Kim Clark, the Trojans still possess a dangerous presence wide in the midfield with senior three-time All-American Isabelle Harvey and sophomore All-America candidate Ali Fennell. Harvey, a member of the Canadian National Team who played in the 1999 Women's World Cup, is looking to increase her totals this season as USC's career goals (40) and points (112) leader. She led the team last season with 11 goals and 30 points. Fennell was third on the team with 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in her freshman campaign.
The Trojans have more experience in the middle, thanks to seniors Andrea Warner, Katie Ticehurst and Barbara Almaraz. Warner, who started every game last season for the Trojans, recorded two goals and two assists. She will be the offensive midfielder for the Trojans while Ticehurst will handle defensive midfielder chores. Ticehurst scored three goals and started in 19 games last season. Her leadership skills and ability to hold down the midfield may be the difference for the Women of Troy in postseason play. Almaraz played in 10 games as a substitute and was on the 1999 Mexican World Cup team.
Junior Liane Nakano and sophomore Tawny Flores both return and will also see playing time.
Opponents may see double in the middle with sophomore Kim Abbamonto and freshman Megan Abbamonto. At 5-9, both players add some height to the Trojans' midfield. Kim has battled through injuries through two seasons at USC, but if she is healthy this year, she would be a good bookend midfielder with her younger sister. Megan led her Capistrano Valley High School squad to the CIF-Southern Section Division I championship and was named Player of the Year by the Orange County Register.
Four freshmen will battle for playing time at the position: Whitney Cale, Hillary Coffelt (a redshirt freshman), Becky Miller and Fallon Johnson.
DEFENDERS
The Trojans' defense is another veteran unit, but the returnees will get pushed by two talented freshmen. Senior Megan Orach is one of the team's co-captains and a main anchor for the defense. After two seasons up front, Orach switched to defender last season and started every game.
Senior Susie Mora should get the nod at right back. Mora started in 17 of 20 games last season and, like Almaraz, played for Mexico in the 1999 World Cup.
Junior Erin Reed is pegged into the starting lineup as left back after playing in every game last season (with seven starts). With a year of experience, Reed should provide consistent play in the back. Sophomore Stephanie Scholl could also see some playing time.
Nicole Goza and Amanda Roach are the freshmen who will compete for playing time. Both players add toughness to the lineup, Roach also adds tremendous speed and field coverage.
GOALKEEPERS
For the first time in school history, the team has four goalkeepers on the roster. The tandem of junior Shaelyn Fernandes and sophomore Lauren Arase will continue again this season for the Trojans. Freshmen Taylor Amaro and Julie Peterson will more than likely redshirt this season to learn at the Division I level, but either one could be plugged into the lineup if needed.
Fernandes started in 13 games for USC last season and had a 7-6 record with a 1.332 goals-against-average. She shared in three shutouts with Arase and recorded four solo shutouts, including two against ranked teams (Portland and Duke). Fernandes would get the slight nod as a starter.
Arase started in seven games last season and had an impeccable 7-0 record with a 0.631 GAA. With her abilities, she helps to give the Trojans a solid -- yet interchangeable -- starting tandem.
With two good starters, the team can afford to bring Amaro and Peterson along slowly for development down the road.
The philosophy in the development of the USC program has changed dramatically this season. Millinder has a good reason to switch the focus for the Women of Troy.
"This year, we are changing our style of play to a more up-tempo, high-pressure system in order for the program to move forward," he said. "For us to win a national championship, we needed to change our system of play. I'm looking at where this program will be in the future. My focus every year is to win the national championship. This system of play will work on the national level. It's a lot more demanding on the players to go around and close off opponents for 90 minutes rather than sitting back and knocking the ball around. The new players coming in could see considerable playing time because the system demands substitution since you can not play at that pace for 30 minutes and not get tired."
The 2000 season will be an important one for the program, but the new system will also present a way to develop long-term goals.
"In the future, we are going to have an athletic presence but we will also have a technical aspect because some of the top technical players will be developed right here in the Southern California area," said Millinder. "I'm trying to find the athletic kids, the technical kids and the tactical kids to bring them all into one package and play a high-pressure system. It will be an exciting brand of soccer."
In mid-August, Millinder took the team to Europe to play five exhibition games. The trip allowed the team to train together right away and be involved in game situations prior to the start of the regular season. This is the first time that the team has made such a trip, a sign that the USC program is heading for a brighter future.
"It gave us an opportunity to clean up mistakes and work on different types of execution," said Millinder. "We took a look at the freshmen and tried to integrate some of the kids into the team."
Optimism abounds in the Trojans' camp, but Millinder knows that true success may be right around the corner.
"We are about a year away from having all the pieces of the puzzle, it depends on our 2001 recruiting class," said Millinder. "This year, though, we have the best collection of players that USC has ever possessed."
