Aug. 20, 2010
SEATTLE – With the loss of All-Region forward Veronica Perez last season, the 2010 Husky forwards will look to this year’s senior leader, three juniors and a strong freshmen class to pick up the goal scoring production. “There is a lot of depth at the forward position and a host of potential goal-scorers looking to convert potential into real goals,” said head coach Lesle Gallimore. “With the loss of senior Veronica Perez, the creative attacking moniker falls to senior McKenna Waitley.” Waitley and Perez tied for a team-high six goals in 2009. A senior out of Coronado, Calif., Waitley led the team with 17 points and post a career-high five assists. Three of her goals were game-winners and had her first two-game game vs. Gonzaga. She had the assisted in the 1-0 upset over then-ranked No. 11 Illinois. “Waitley is probably the most unorthodox of our attacking corps, making her very difficult for opponents to handle,” Gallimore said. “Her role will be a little free-flowing and it will be fun and entertaining to see what she does.” Three juniors look to earn the starting positions around Waitley, in Sarah Martinez, Alex Webber and Kelli Stewart. Martinez (Des Moines, Wash.) has a lot of playing time in her two seasons but is looking to get more shots off on goal and is also looking for her first career goal. She had seven shots last season, the first coming against Seattle in the season-opener. From Poway, Calif., Webber was seventh on the team with seven points in 2009, tallying two goals and three assists. She appeared in 22 games, starting in 15. Stewart hails from Mukilteo, Wash., and had a breakout sophomore season a year ago. She had nine points and in just 10 shots she scored four times. She had one game-winning goal and one game-winning assist. “Working around Waitley and competing to be “top gun” will be the three junior forwards, Sarah, Alex and Kelli,” Gallimore said. “All three have good experience in a Husky uniform and now that experience needs to shine through. If these three are in top physical condition they will be extremely effective goal-scorers and each possess a different strength that makes them dangerous in front of goal. Alex has breakaway speed, Kelli has a nose for the goal and strikes the ball extremely well and Sarah can beat you several ways including being a extraordinary force on aerial balls.” Two strong freshmen forwards look to make a quick impression in Annie Sittauer and Hillary Zevenbergen. Sittauer is another local player from Everett, Wash. At Everett High School, she led her team to two WesCO North titles and one state title. She was team captain, a three-time all-state and four-time all-league honoree. From Woodway, Wash., Zevenbergen scored 78 goals with 40 assists at King’s High School while leading her team to three third-place state finishes. She was a two-time all-state selection. “How both fit into the mix will be determined in preseason and early season activity,” Gallimore said of Sittauer and Zevenbergen. “Annie has deceptive speed and is very good with her back to goal, while Hillary is skillful with both feet, can shoot from distance and is a physical presence in the air.” Freshman striker Morgan Swanson and sophomore midfielder Kellie Welch will both miss the 2010 fall season as they are both in midst of ACL rehabilitation as both had surgery several months ago. Monday: Season Preview - http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081610aaa.html. |
