Deep women's soccer team aims for first Ivy title

Since its introduction in 1977, the women's soccer team has watched another school bring home the Ivy crown each year. But with a strong core of returning players and an encouraging preseason, the Bulldogs seem primed to end the drought--and even make a run at a NCAA tournament berth.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Bolstered by a strong bench and a strong freshman class, the women's soccer team heads into the season with its eyes on a heretofore elusive prize: its first Ivy League championship.

Last season, the team finished with a 12-6-1 record, earned a berth in the ECAC playoffs, and finished second in the league. Many key players are returning, and preseason practices have led many players to believe that the team is ready to move to the next level. "Practices have been going very well," captain Annie Kwon, CC '99, said. "It has been the most intense preseason in my memory, and everyone is looking strong and in good shape."

Coach Rudy Meredith and assistants Fritz Rodriguez and Robin Copperthwaite plan to stick with the 4-3-3 alignment which was used last year, but will encourage the midfielders to press forward and become more involved with the offense. The experienced group of starters returning at all of the major field positions will be faced with the task of implementing this scheme. In addition, they will be supported by a very deep bench. "We have a very strong bench--which has not been the case in years past--and a very strong freshman class," goalie Elisabeth Laderouth, CC '00, said.

The squad gets a huge boost from the return of Jill Rubenstein, DC '99, who is finally healed after missing all of last season because of a preseason knee injury. Rubenstein, who is second in Yale history in career goals (28) and points (72) and third in career assists (16), spent the spring semester rehabilitating in Bolivia and feels that she is now ready to play. She will anchor a strong front line which has the potential to put the ball in the back of the net often. Joining Rubenstein up front will be the explosive Theryn Gibbons, MC '00, who scored 13 goals last season. Rubenstein said that the team has "six strong strikers who are pushing each other really hard."

The Bulldog midfield returns one of the Ivy League's best players in Kwon, a first team All-Ivy selection last year after recording seven goals and six assists. Julie Fromm, MC '99, and Meg Sullivan, CC '00, round out the fine starting core.

The defense will have to compensate for the loss of several starters to graduation, but should remain solid behind the play of Lorelei Wall, SM '00, a second team All-Ivy selection a year ago and a former Ivy League Rookie of the Year. Danica Liberman,
TD '99, will lead the defense from the stopper position. "Danica can mark anyone in the Ivy League," Kwon noted.

While the team has many established players at the field positions, it is still unclear who will handle the goalkeeping duties. Catherine Haist, JE '98, a four-year starter, has graduated, and two keepers are vying for the chance to fill her shoes. Laderoute, who filled in for Haist in seven games last year, will probably draw the starting nod, but Sarah Peterson, PC '02, a national high school standout, will likely see plenty of action as well.

The team opens its season with two home games, with Fairfield on Fri., Sept. 11 and Siena on Sun., Sept. 13. In recent years, the team has drawn relatively few fans, but this year the players expect larger crowds because of their explosive offense and their status as one of the favorites in a hotly contested Ivy title race. Kwon expressed the team's anticipation of an energetic season: "We have a lot of home games and we will have an exciting year. We need everyone to come out and support us. It really makes a difference."

Harvard, Pennsylvania, and Dartmouth will provide the Bulldogs' toughest competition in the Ancient Eight. Yale plays each of these teams on the road, beginning with a trip to Cambridge on Sat., Sept. 26. Last year, the Bulldogs snapped Harvard's 21-game Ivy League winning streak with a thrilling overtime goal by Sullivan.

If the Elis are to win the league title this year, they must avoid the poor midseason stretch that damaged their hopes a year ago. "We have a tendency to be lax at midseason, but this year we aren't taking anyone for granted," Kwon said. This year, the team will have the added motivation of a reasonable shot at an NCAA tournament berth. "The field is expanding to 48 teams and that gives us a good chance at advancing," Laderoute said. Kwon added, "This is the first year that the goal of an NCAA berth has really seemed attainable."

Back to Sports...