Aug. 16, 2012
SEATTLE - Our last installment of the 2012 women's soccer preview focuses on the forwards. Head coach Lesle Gallimore isn't looking to one or two players to be the goal scorers, rather she expects multiple people to take on that role. "We have players that can score goals and I don't want to be specific with names because I want them all to have that expectation," says Gallimore. The Husky offense will rely on junior returners Allie Beahan (Sammamish, Wash.) and Hillary Zevenbergen (Woodway, Wash.) as well as sophomores Jaclyn Softli (Sammamish, Wash.) and Chelsea Archer (Oakland, Calif.). Gallimore calls Beahan and Zevenbergen "very difficult players" for opponents to handle, and looks to Beahan to bring her Elite Eight experience from her freshman year to the field in order to lead the younger players. Softli and Archer--twin sister of midfielder Christina Archer--provide pace, creativity, and finishing ability as well. As with the defense and the midfielders, the incoming strikers are talented and Gallimore believes they will bolster the offensive attack. Left-footed freshman Falon Miller adds pace to the mix while fellow freshman Tessa Vollrath--a late addition during the recruiting process--is doing a great job of getting herself up to speed with the group. Miller comes to UW from Las Vegas, Nev., where she was a teammate of fellow incoming freshman and defender McKenzie Karas, who is still recovering from the ACL reconstruction surgery she had last February. Miller was a four-year letterwinner in high school and was named first-team All-State her junior year. She played club ball with the Las Vegas Heat, winning the 2011 Surf Cup in San Diego and finishing second in the 2011 Las Vegas Showcase. Vollrath, a local product from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, was also a four-year letterwinner and a captain during her senior season. She earned second-team all KingCo her junior year, and first-team her senior year. She played her club ball locally, including three years at Emerald City FC, and played in several showcase tournaments on the west coast. Overall, Gallimore is ready for this team to get on the field and compete and is looking forward to seeing what they can do. "We're excited for this group to take the field," says Gallimore. "They have been preparing well and bring new ideas, new leadership and new personality to the table. It's what keeps the job exciting for me--each year is a new experience." The 2012 season begins on Friday at Seattle U at 4 p.m. |
