Wittenberg University Athletics - Women's Soccer 2001 Preview

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2001 Women's Soccer Preview

The Wittenberg University Tigers are young but could be ready to pounce in 2001. A year after posting the programąs first 10-win season since 1995 and earning a berth in the inaugural North Coast Athletic Conference tournament, Wittenberg returns 12 letterwinners and welcomes a strong recruiting class into the fold.

For a second straight year, the Tigersą strength appears to be offense. Leading the charge are two of the best goal-scorers in the conference in 2000, sophomores Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) and Jill Rekers (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro). Woessner finished 29th in the country in goals per game while collecting plenty of honors during her first college season. She scored a school-record 18 goals and 43 total points last year en route to earning first-team All-NCAC honors and NCAC Newcomer of the Year honors. Rekers, who missed three games with a sprained ankle, was second on the team with 10 goals and 26 total points as she claimed honorable mention All-NCAC. They will be joined by several talented newcomers, most notably freshman Katie Mazzio (Wilmington, Del./A.I. duPont).

Defensively, the Tigers do have some experience returning but also a tall task in replacing departed midfield stalwart Natalie Estep, defender Jen Combs and four-time all-conference choice Shana Ryan, the team's MVP in 2000. Among the players filling those shoes in 2001 will be sophomores Melissa Jordan (Cincinnati, Ohio/Finneytown), Erin Lane (Lucas, Ohio/Mansfield St. Peter's), Lesley Runyan (Ashland, Ohio/Ashland), Jessica Shellhause (London, Ohio/London) and Kate Williston (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), who was a forward a year ago. Also, starting goalkeeper Jenny Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) is back.

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