Riddled by injuries last season, the Utah women’s soccer team underachieved for part of the season. The players finished with an 11-9-2 record and were eliminated from postseason play after they lost in the Mountain West Conference Tournament to BYU.
Even though they stumbled out of the gates, the Utes finished the season strong by winning seven of their past nine games.
“Last year, I was as proud of the team as any I’ve ever had,” said head coach Rich Manning. “After starting 1-5 we could have folded, but we didn’t, and it built a lot of character.”
During the summer, most of the team has been practicing and preparing for the coming season. Although workouts are labeled as voluntary, the team went through six weeks of summer camps with the strength and conditioning coaches.
In addition, the majority of the players have been competing in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, the highest level of women’s amateur soccer in the United States.
Coming into the 2009 season, the players are healthy and eager to redeem themselves.
“I expect us to continue growing and carry the momentum we finished with last year into the new season,” Manning said.
The Utes have traditionally played tough nonconference opponents, and this season will be no different. The first month of the season is highlighted with William & Mary, Santa Clara and Princeton all paying a visit to Ute Field.
“We have a good home field and it’s tough for visitors to come in and get a win,” Manning said. “We have a lot of early home games and that is the time for us to build team chemistry.”
Winning the MWC Tournament would ensure the Utes a spot in the NCAA Tournament and give them a chance to play for a national championship, but the team doesn’t want to have to depend on that.
“We want to win games and make sure our RPI is high enough so when the time comes we won’t have to rely on winning the MWC Tournament,” Manning said.
In September, the Utes will visit perennial power and 2008 NCAA Tournament semifinalist UCLA, as well as Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. The Utes will also be the visitor to Utah State when the two meet at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.
“Having such a difficult preseason is huge,” said junior forward Lauren Hair. “It’s a chance for us to prove ourselves and set the tone for the rest of the season.”
“We want to win championships here, and if we want to be the best, then we have to beat the best,” Manning said.
Being competitive against quality opponents is all about teamwork and leadership. The team has lost five valuable seniors from last year’s squad but has several players ready to step up and lead the team.
Hair and senior Kelly Isleib are the players Manning repeatedly mentioned when asked who would lead the team this season.
Now in her junior year, Hair has been the model of consistency and hard work. She has started 42 of 43 games since beginning her career and has shown signs only of progress.
In 2008, she was a second-team All-MWC selection as well as Academic All-MWC. She was second on the team in goals (five) and third on the team in points (11).
“Lauren is such a hard worker and leader that it’s off the charts,” Manning said. “She has figured out how to be dangerous on the field and we’ll need her to be just that.”
Isleib will likely be the team leader this season. She earned her second straight first-team All-MWC and played with the U-23 National Team in April and led the team in goals (six), assists (six) and points (18).
“Kelly is like a maestro during the game,” Manning said. “She sees the game so well and conducts everything out there and she can make any pass or play on the field. She is as skillful as any player I’ve ever coached.”
Although many of the players will be filling new roles and be counted on to lead the team on and off the field, they are not shying away from the responsibility. In fact, they are eagerly awaiting their chances to do so.
“I’m excited about setting the tone and working hard,” Hair said. “If we lead by example in everything we do at practice and in games, then the younger players will follow.”
With 16 of the 24 players on the team being underclassmen, the Utes might find chemistry tough to come by. However, Manning said chemistry and team bonds form over time and he is confident this team will be able to mold together and play as a unit.
Manning said this year’s squad will be known for its defense and speed.
“We are going to defend very well and always keep the pressure on (our opponents). Our motto this season will be play fast and fight back.”
The 2009 Utes don’t expect to be short on confidence, skill or ability.
“I definitely think we have what it takes and we have so much potential,” Hair said.
“Nobody is even considering losing; it’s not an option.”