SEASON OUTLOOK: Pieces In Place For Another Strong Run For Tigers

Year 2 for Wittenberg women’s soccer under the direction of Head Coach Matt Fannon brings with it plenty of reasons for optimism. Not only is Fannon welcoming 14 letterwinners, including six starters, back to the lineup, but his first recruiting class includes numerous players sure to push for immediate playing time. 

The relatively small number of returning starters is deceiving because Fannon put a total of 18 players in the starting lineup at some point during the 2013 season. All that juggling paid dividends as the Tigers finished the season strong, ending the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season in a three-way tie for first place and advancing to the championship of the league tournament before bowing out with a 9-7-5 overall record. 

It also paid dividends in that every player on the roster gained much-needed collegiate experience. Seven returning players started at least 12 games last year, meaning that Fannon has veteran options at nearly every position as he prepares for the 2014 campaign. 

Fannon’s team is led by an outstanding senior class, including midfielder Tobie Weston (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Christian), a first-team All-NCAC honoree in 2013 after honorable mention awards her first two collegiate seasons, and defensive back Mary Clare Yerke (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), the 2013 NCAC Defensive Player of the Year. Weston has topped the Tigers with four assists in both 2012 and 2013, while Yerke added second-team All-Great Lakes Region honors after spearheading a defense that allowed just 18 goals in 21 games. 

Midfielder Chelsey Marcum (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) and forward Erika Rich (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) round out the senior class in 2014. Marcum started 17 games a year ago and tied Weston for the team lead with four assists. 

Yerke will be joined on defense by junior returning starters Mackenzie Bolon (Columbus, Ohio/Bexley) and Zoe Curry (Milford, Ohio/Ursuline). Sophomore Michelle Brunsiwck (Middletown, Ohio/Madison) appeared in all 21 games, including 13 starts, in her inaugural collegiate campaign. Nicoleta Shouvlin (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) and Lauren Elwell (Duluth, Minn./East) round out the returning letterwinners listed as defenders in 2014. 

Several newcomers are in the mix for starting assignments on defense in 2014, and the same goes for the goalkeeper position. Junior Maggie Grieser (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) made 12 appearances in her first season with the Red & White, and she is battling a pair of freshmen for playing time this year. 

In the midfield, Marcum and Weston will be joined sophomore Kyrie Bumpus (Dresden, Ohio/Tri-Valley) and a host of newcomers. Heading into the attacking third, junior forwards Kaylee Gialamas (Willoughby, Ohio/Hawken) and Kate Burns (Granger, Ind./Penn) have contributed a combined 11 goals in their first two collegiate seasons. Also vying for playing time up top are junior Jessica Sinclair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) and several first-year Tigers.

2014 At A Glance 

Letterwinners Returning: 14
 Maggie Grieser, Mary Clare Yerke, Nicoleta Shouvlin, Chelsey Marcum, Zoe Curry, Lauren Elwell, Jessica Sinclair, Tobie Weston, Michelle Brunswick, Kyrie Bumpus, Kaylee Gialamas, Erika Rich, Mackenzie Bolon, Kate Burns

Letterwinners Lost: 9
Kelsey Lorko, Jenna Applegett, Lindsay Janmey, Leslie Oliver, Katie Murphey, Erin Rowell, Kayla Murphy, Mackenzie Fisler, Lauren Arona

Starters Returning: 6
Tobie Weston, Chelsey Marcum, Mackenzie Bolon, Zoe Curry, Mary Clare Yerke, Kate Burns

Starters Lost: 5
Leslie Oliver, Katie Murphey, Lindsay Janmey, Erin Rowell, Kelsey Lorko