Season Preview
After losing four seniors, 2010 looks to be a year of growth for the young 2010 Lancer women's soccer team. The Lancers are returning seven starters and have added seven new players to their program. With this combination of experience and fresh faces, the 2010 season will be one to look forward to.
In 2009 the Lancers recorded two wins, 16 losses and finished thirteenth in the GPAC. Lauren Donlin was named GPAC Second Team All Conference. April Dolezal finished the year on the Honorable Mention list for the third year in a row and Hayley Rutledge finished her second straight year as a leader in defense and midfield. The 2009 Lancers finished the school year with a 3.65 team GPA, which ranked them as the top academic team at Mount Marty and ranked them fifth nationally in NAIA women's soccer.
Four seniors graduated from last year's team, Lauren Donlin, Auburn, Wash.; Sara Haase, Spearfish, S.D.; Theresa Condon, Lakefield, Minn.; and Carolyn Lovell, Boston, Mass. Lauren Donlin leaves MMC as the all-time leading goal scorer, assist leader, points leader and total shots leader. Sara Haase was a 4-year starter and co-captain in our defense and center midfield. She was a two-time Academic All American. We are lucky to have her back as an assistant coach for 2010. Theresa Condon was a two-time Academic All American and a 4-year starter on our back line. Carolyn Lovell will be missed in the midfield where she contributed in the attack during her 4 years here.
Mount Marty's attack will be young but talented. Hannah Miller, Norfolk, Neb., will be asked to put the attack on her back. Last year Hannah was second on the team in shots and shots on goal. Julie Girard, Kearney, Neb., will be a big addition to the attack. Julie brings a great shot and set pieces to the mix. Ashlin Agular, Grand Island, Neb., will be used both in the midfield and at forward. We look forward to her creative sense on the ball.
Our midfield will be deeper than in years past. Hayley Rutledge, Yorba Linda, Calif., is now a third-year starter and is growing as a leader. As a junior, she is a co-captain and we look to her to lead us in possession. We return Emily Rausch, Rapid City, S.D., and Dorcas Copa, Tomball, Texas, at outside midfield. We'll look to freshman Julie Nelson, Plattsmouth, Neb., and Allison McCuen, Sioux Falls, S.D., to make an instant impact in our midfield.
The Lancers defense is returning three starters from a year ago in seniors April Dolezal, Schuyler, Neb.; Steph Schultz, Lakefield, Minn.; and junior Brittany Hank, Fremont, Neb. Newcomers Kassie Lewis, Rochester, Minn., and Bianca Ortiz, Fremont, Neb., look to add a good amount of talent and energy to the Lancers back line. In goal we have Shelby Mushits, Geddes, S.D., who is great at talking to our defense and is improving quite a bit as we prepare for 2010.
With a young and hungry 2010 team, Mount Marty women look to make strides and reach their goals for the year. This team is really coming together as a close team. Come out to our new soccer complex and join us in the fun!