The U soccer team will finally get a chance to test its immense potential as the Utes open their season this weekend against the Colgate Raiders and the Michigan Wolverines at Ute field.
This intense double bill will be a good measuring stick for a team that is coming off its best season ever.
Tonight’s opponent, the Colgate Raiders, are coming off a subpar season where they finished 7-9-2, but are returning their top two scorers and a coach who has led the team to eight league titles in 12 seasons. Kate Barrett, the Raiders’ leading scorer last season with 11 goals and 8 assists, will test a Ute defense that is considered a question mark after losing Katie Battazzo to injury and both starting goalkeepers to graduation.
Despite these key losses, coach Rich Manning seems pretty optimistic about this year’s group.
“We spent a lot of the preseason working on team defense,” he said. “And we’re returning three defenders who bring a lot of experience to the field.”
In addition to the returning veterans, the Utes are bolstering their defense with what Manning called “a nationally recognized recruiting class.” But in spite of his optimism, Manning realizes the defense will remain “the question of the moment” until the unit hits the field.
Sunday will be an even greater test for the Utes when they face No. 17 Michigan. Last season, the Wolverines finished 2nd in the Big Ten and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. Repeating last season’s success will be difficult for the Wolverines after losing three of their top four scorers. However, they are returning senior goalkeeper Suzie Grech, who allowed only 20 goals in 24 games and amassed 10 shutouts over that span.
The Utes seem to hold the intangible advantage over Michigan, who didn’t win a non conference road game last year, while the Utes lost only one non conference game at Ute Field, a double overtime loss to nationally ranked Saint Mary’s.
But that was last season, and this year’s squad has made significant changes. The Utes return six starters, including Missy Dennis and Jen Williams, who both won second-team all-conference honors last season. Several other major contributors from last year’s squad are returning, including Bobbie Benegas, Julie Herdic, Lauren Field and Esther Imotan, who was particularly impressive during the NCAA tournament. All totaled, the Utes are returning 14 impact players, which makes for an experienced team.
The difference in the team this season, however, will be the performance of the new recruits. Coach Manning named the class of 2007 as a major factor in the Utes earning the top ranking in the MWC’s preseason poll.
In addition to strengthening the defense, the freshmen should also contribute to the team’s attack. Local product Amanda Feigt was productive in her time in a preseason scrimmage against Nevada, and Michelle Deatherage was credited with an assist. If this class of freshmen is as good as the national soccer community thinks it is, the Utes are poised for a good season-a season that begins tonight at 4 p.m. and continues at noon on Sunday.
It’s finally time to push the hype aside and let ’em play.