Aug. 18, 2010
SEATTLE – Many coaches say that defense is why you win games. If that’s the case, then the UW women’s soccer team looks to be in good shape. With a strong senior leader heading the group, experienced returners and three solid freshmen, the Huskies defense should have few lapses. Kendyl Pele (Kennewick, Wash.) returns for her senior year at center back and will be a captain for the third-straight season. Pele earned the team’s Rookie of the Year award in 2007 and is the two-time team Defensive MVP. She was named the Husky Nike Invitational’s Defensive MVP last season and helped UW allow only 12 goals in Pac-10 play, the third-lowest in the conference. In the season opener vs. Seattle in 2009, Pele had one assist, setting up the game-winning goal. “At the back of the field we will be led by senior stalwart, Kendyl,” said head coach Lesle Gallimore. “She is arguably one of the best center backs in the country. Her speed and individual defending ability make her formidable and she has shown great growth with the ball over the past three seasons. Her demeanor, competitive spirit and composure make her an ideal captain and central defender. Kendyl will be complimented by a host of other players vying for starting spots.” Fellow senior Hannah Greig is the outside back for the Dawgs. Greig hails from Woodinville, Wash., and is another veteran in the back. She started in all 21 games she played last season and was a part of a defense that allowed just 1.00 goal per game and helped post seven shutouts. Transfer Brittany Davis-Roberti is hoping to make an immediate impact in her first year of eligibility as a Husky. She transferred from USC and will be a junior this season. Originally from Portland, Ore., she was the NSCAA Oregon Player of the Year in high school and a 2007 first-team all-state selection. Louise Albin, a sophomore from Shoreline, Wash., made a name for herself as a freshman last season and looks to be strong again in year two. She was the Rookie of the Year in 2009, appearing in 19 games and started in the NCAA Second Round game vs. No. 2 Portland. “Hannah, Louise, Brittany and the three freshmen will all fight for the other starting positions,” Gallimore added. Those three freshmen are: Lindsey Bos, Molly Boyd and Brianna Sweeney. Bos is out of Archbishop Murphy High School in Snohomish, Wash., where she was the Everett Herald’s Player of the Year after leading her team to an undefeated season and state title her senior season. She scored 15 goals and added 23 assists while being named the 2A State Player of the Year. Out of Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Wash., Boyd is a two-time all-state and All-Metro League selection. She was named the Metro League Sound Division Player of the Year her junior season while recording six goals and six assists. Also from Woodinville, Wash., Sweeney was a second-team All-KingCo 4A selection her senior season after missing her junior year due to an injury. At WHS, she was the team captain her senior year and a three-year letterwinner. “Junior Faustine Dufka and senior Kellye Joswick are also two players who may be considered as backs, although are both typically midfielders,” Gallimore said. Dufka, from San Francisco, Calif., looks to help lead the upperclassmen after having appeared in four matches last season and taking a shot vs. No. 2 Portland. Her freshmen year she played in 12 games and had four shots. Out of Placentia, Calif., Joswick looks to get back to the field after missing 2009 with a torn ACL in the opening game. In 2008, she started all 22 games and broke the school record for the fastest goal in 37 seconds vs. Colgate. “Kellye was a steady starter her first two seasons for the Huskies and we’re looking for her to jump right back into that role,” Gallimore added. “The plan is for our back line to be athletic, physically imposing, as well as skillful so that once we stop our opponent we are able to successfully begin our attack out of the back and include our back players in our own build up and creation of scoring opportunities. Our true depth at the back should be improved this year.” Log on to www.gohuskies.com on Thursday as we preview the midfielders and Friday the forwards. Monday: Season Preview – http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081610aaa.html. |
