2007 Women's Soccer Season Preview
August 7, 2007

You can’t put a price on experience.

That was perhaps the primary lesson learned by CSUSM Women’s Soccer Head Coach Ron Pulvers during the team’s first season, an up-and-down 7-8-1 campaign.  It was the first time that Pulvers, who possesses a strong track record as a men’s soccer coach, had guided a women’s squad, and the experience brought some unforeseen challenges.

“I learned a lot from last year,” says Pulvers.  “Team chemistry and group cohesion are absolutely huge.”

And those things, not talent, were the main issues with the 2006 CSUSM women’s soccer team.  Despite possessing numerous gifted players, the squad was plagued by its inability to get along, and limped out of the gate to a 1-6 start.  As the season progressed, Pulvers, along with assistant coaches Bobby Renneisen and Davy Phillips, began stressing team-building much more.  The squad finished 5-3-1 while playing better, more team-oriented soccer.

With that experience under his belt, Pulvers and Co. are making changes to their approach this season.  The entire team just embarked to a three-day camp – not a soccer camp, mind you, but an actual camping trip – designed to foster the kind of team chemistry that began developing halfway through the 2006 season.

This off-season has also been different than last.  Instead of training based on tactics and strategy, Pulvers is focusing on creating the right kind of environment for the athletes to develop into quality collegiate soccer players.

“My job is to create an environment in training that teaches competitiveness, where players don’t have to be tentative about being physical,” notes Pulvers. The hope is that the focus on physicality in training will translate to physical play on the field, where the Cougar team at times looked soft compared to its competitors in 2006. 

Beyond these off-the-field shifts, there will be numerous on-field changes for the squad in 2007.  A very strong recruiting class will push many incumbent starters for playing time, and Pulvers estimates that anywhere from 2 to 7 of the 14 new recruits could start.

The Cougars’ biggest recruiting coup was also Pulvers’ first recruit of the off-season:  midfielder Nikki Petracca.  The freshman possesses “superb” skills and a great work ethic, and should be a factor for the Cougars from game one.  She joins a midfield that is anchored by sophomore and team captain Kelly Wherry, as well as returning goal scorer and leader Courtney Drummond. 

Up front, forward Taylor Schurman comes to CSUSM from U.C. Riverside, and will add to an attack that already features speedy Clarissa Hidalgo.  Hidalgo and Drummond shared the team’s goal-scoring crown last season, with each tallying seven.  Redshirt freshman Katelyn Krauss, a dangerous scorer in the junior college ranks, will join the group as well after missing last season due to injury.

On the back line, all four of the last year’s starters are returning, with Lucia Asbury and Alex Quindt leading the way.  As a freshman, Asbury, an All-American on the Cougar track team, utilized her blazing speed to shut down opponents’ ability to pass over the top of the defense, and will do more of the same in 2007.  Quindt, one of the Cougars’ most physical players, provides rock-solid play in the middle of the field. 

Lica Martinez and team captain Annica Perez are also returning to the back line.  New recruits Michele Ramirez, Jamie McClain, and Brittany Boyce will all push for playing time in their first seasons in Cougar blue.

In net, a couple keepers will be battling for the starting job.  Incumbent starter Jordanne more did “a terrific job last year,” according to Coach Pulvers, and kept the team in many games.  She enters the off-season as the starter, but will be pushed by ultra-talented redshirt freshman Jane Drury.

“Jane is just fantastic,” says Pulvers.  “She’s a Division-I quality keeper.”

The competition for the starting spot in goal will be determined in the coming weeks, as will all the position battles.  According to Coach Pulvers, the deciding factor in many cases will be hard work and fitness.  “We will commit to any girls who show up in great shape,” he remarks.

With a roster that’s deeper, more experienced, and more talented than last year’s, Pulvers expects a strong season from the women’s soccer squad.  Though not willing to pin down a number, the coaching staff is aiming for a winning season and shot at competing for a Regional playoff birth.  Fans looking to follow the team during this exciting season can do so through the Athletics website, or by heading out to Mangrum Track & Soccer Field and catching a game in-person!