University Southern California Trojans
USC Women Load Up For 2011
July 29, 2011 | Women's Soccer
July 29, 2011
As he enters his fifth season at the helm of the USC women's soccer program, head coach Ali Khosoroshahin boasts a blitz of balance for this year's 2011 Trojan roster. Seven freshmen join three transfers to the Women of Troy for the season to come. Competition is quickly approaching, prompting a quick-fire training campaign for the USC squad. Khosroshahin's new load of talent is comprised of goalkeepers Lindsey Brown and Carley Pennington; forwards Jessica Musmanno and Erica Vangsness; midfielders Elizabeth Caparis and Geena Graumann; and defenders Heather Davis, Jamie Kucharski, Kristina Noriega and Rachel Wimmer.
"We're having to replace a very experienced and accomplished group from that NCAA championship team," Khosroshahin said. "This is a class with not a lot of accolades but they are a very experienced and intelligent group of soccer players who will address the needs of the program this year, bringing us versatility and depth in all positions."
Two of those fresh sets of feet joined the Women of Troy in spring 2011. Jamie Kucharski (Saugus, Calif.) and Kristina Noriega (Westminster, Calif.) both came to Troy as transfers in the spring. A 5-10 defender, Noriega joined forces with the Trojans after transferring from UC Riverside, where she spent two seasons as a full-time starter on the defensive lines. Also a defender, Kucharski came to USC from Santa Barbara City College, and also has a spring at Troy under her belt already.
"Noriega brings necessary experience and athletic ability to our back line. She should have an immediate impact on the lineup," Khosroshahin said. "Kucharski is a solid and hardworking defender who should compete for playing time this year."
Khosroshahin's new set of 2011 recruits come in strong as a class of eight. A pair of goalkeepers enter the fray to deepen the bullpen of returning 'keepers Shelby Church and Anne Turner. Carley Pennington (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) and Lindsey Brown (Burlington, Conn.) make the the USC goalkeeping corps into a powerhouse of young talent.
"i feel have two solid goalkeepers in Carley and Lindsey," Khosroshahin said. "Carley will provide immediate competition and has the potential to be our starter, and Lindsey has the potential to be a very good goalkeeper in the future. It's very promising to have a solid goalkeeping crew that is very young."
On the front lines is another injection of offensive skill in 5-4 Jessica Musmanno (Succasunna, N.J.) and Pierce College transfer Erica Vangsness (Los Angeles, Calif.).
"Erica scored a lot of goals last year at Pierce College and could provide some crucial goals for us at times in this upcoming season. She's hardworking, athletic and intelligent." Khosroshahin said of Vangsness. "Musmanno is probably the most decorated player in this class. She brings a loft of big-game experience and should compete for a starting position immediately."
Two more new Trojans have gotten the call to help hold court in the midfield, with the addition of 5-7 Elizabeth Caparis (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) and Northern California product Geena Graumann (Menlo Park, Calif.)
"Caparis is a talented player who has flown under the radar, but is capable of breaking into our lineup immediately. She brings good speed to the midfield," Khosroshahin said. "Geena is a very technical player and comes from an excellent soccer club in Northern California. She has been coached very well throughout her playing career, and she has the ability to play multiple positions for us."
On the back line, transfers Kucharski and Noriega are joined by freshman defenders Heather Davis (Newbury Park, Calif.) and Rachel Wimmer (Mountain View, Calif.). Davis comes in at a lofty 6-1, making her the tallest Trojan on the roster, although a knee injury has her sidelined for her first season at USC.
"Davis tore her ACL and will redshirt this year, but she's a very talented and strong central defender who will fit in well when she's healthy," Khosroshahin said. "Rachel comes from the same great club program as Graumann. She's a very intelligent and versatile player who can play anywhere along the back line and the midfield.
"I'm so excited to be working with this entire group," Khosroshahin added. "I believe they will provide us with the necessary competition and talent level to help us be the best we can be."
The USC women's soccer season kicks off on August 19 with a home game against Long Beach State at 3 p.m. at McAlister Field.
