July 26, 1999

UWM womens soccer head coach Mike Moynihan feels his team is further ahead than a year ago. Thats a good sign for a Panther team that went 10-5-3 last season. "Last year, we lost so many dominant players from the previous season," said Moynihan. And losing the dominant players led to a change in the Panthers style of play. "We are not as physically dominant, but we are quicker overall. We now play a more possession-based game. People had to learn new roles and emerge as leaders and they did that. This year, we feel were in a much better position." Adding to Moynihans expectations is a team that returns 16 letterwinners from last year. "Based on our play in the spring and the players we have returning, this could be a great team," said Moynihan. "We have a lot of experience."

Leading the Panthers on the field will be a pair of captains: senior Michelle Alioto and sophomore Erin Blaedow. "They have the players' respect," said Moynihan. "Their most important attribute is that they have shown they always put the team ahead of any individual wants or desires. Both are very hard-nosed soccer players with tremendous work rates. Their intensity runs off on everybody else." Alioto joined the Panthers as a freshman walk-on and worked her way into the Panthers regular backfield rotation last year. "The players respect that kind of hard work," said Moynihan. Blaedow was an impact player in the Panther midfield last year, earning herself MCC All-Newcomer team accolades. "Even though she is young, she is not afraid to assert herself," said Moynihan. "On the field, she will tackle someone with her face if she has to."

Here is a look at the Panthers, position by position:

Goalkeepers Whoever inherits the goalkeeping position will have large shoes to fill. Kathy Hoverman led the MCC in goals against average each of the last two seasons. Now that she has graduated, redshirt freshman Mary Duffy and senior Elizabeth Ulicki will battle for the starting position. "Liz emerged in the spring and really stepped her game up," said Moynihan. "And Duffy is a hard worker. I expect the two to battle it out. I feel comfortable with either one. The biggest issue will be their lack of experience at this level."

Defenders "We would like to play with three in the backfield this year," said Moynihan. "That fits our system more. But we have to show that we can cover the spaces." Joining Alioto in the backfield will be another senior, Joanne Wilde. Wilde has been a starter in the last two season, when the Panthers allowed a combined 0.78 goals per game. "Joanne has an awesome spring season. She was very dominant," said Moynihan. Megan Peot started four of the nine games in which she played as a freshman last year. The central defender position is open heading into the fall. Blaedow or All-MCC second teamer Lindsey Munkwitz may both see time here, but Moynihan is hoping that freshman Kristin Munyon will step in. "She has a lot of experience," Moynihan said of Munyon. "I hope she makes an impact."

Midfielders "Our midfield is the teams biggest strength," said Moynihan. Munkwitz had a strong spring season and will see time as a wide midfielder if not in the backfield. She scored the game-winning goal in UWMs win at Central Florida last year. A handful of other Panthers will battle for the remaining midfield positions. Junior Danielle Alberg scored a pair of goals as a sophomore, including the game-winner in the Panthers double-overtime win at Nebraska. Blaedow, a sophomore, scored a goal and added an assist last season. Sophomore Rana Thompson played in 14 games as a midfielder last season. "We have a lot of people that have improved their fitness and their ability to maintain the pace we need to be successful," said Moynihan. "They play well together." Freshmen Maggie Suminski and Katie Kubacki will also be thrown into the mix. Forwards "Our biggest problem to overcome is the lack of scoring," said Moynihan. "We need to have people show more desire to score." The Panthers allowed just 1.00 goals a game last year, but scored only 1.28. Moynihan is looking to move junior Fanta Cooper, who played mostly defender in the past, up front. Cooper, a member of the Olympic Development Program Region II team, was named to the All-Region first team and All-MCC first team last year. Copper scored three points as a defender last year and 11 points as a rookie. Joining Cooper up front will be central forward Stephanie Hosni. A junior, Hosni was second on last years squad with 10 points. The other forward position will be up for grabs. Tammy Sobaski, a senior who led the Panthers in scoring during the spring season, and junior Katie Waltenberger, who scored nine points last year, will both see time. Freshmen Emily Jessen and Amy Oeschner will also be expected to contribute.

Especially after seeing his team play the spring season, Moynihan expects good things from the Panthers. "We played a very tough spring season and Im confident we can compete with anyone," he said. "This will be the toughest schedule weve had since Ive been here. There will be a lot of challenges, but we are up to them."