Lehigh anxious for 2003 season
9/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Following a 4-13-1 season, second year head coach Manny Oudin has regrouped and reloaded by adding 12 new faces to his squad, along with new assistant coach Erica Walsh, the former head coach at Dartmouth. The 12 freshmen will join the 17 returning players, as Lehigh pushes towards a winning season and a shot at the Patriot League’s post-season.
The Mountain Hawks will rely heavily on their defense this season and primarily on junior All-Patriot League goalkeeper, Erin Iwaskiewicz. As a sophomore, Iwaskiewicz recorded 98 saves in 1,577:57 of action. That total, combined with her freshmen season total of 62, ranks the netminder fourth all-time at Lehigh in career saves with 160. Iwaskiewicz pitched three shutouts this past season, including a 1-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson for the team’s first win under coach Oudin, a 1-0 win over La Salle, and a double overtime, 0-0 Patriot League tie vs. Bucknell. Also representing the defense will be juniors Shannon Trexler, Jessica DiSabatino, Senior Adrienne Grunwald, sophomore Andrea Tulcin, junior Megan Plunkett, and Sophomore Beth MacKeverican. Trexler appeared in 16 contests and took one shot on goal, Tulcin two games, Plunkett 13, and Carner four. They will vie to replace departing seniors Natasha Taylor and Wendi Croft. Among the 12 newcomers, three play defensive positions, including freshmen Kristin Johnson, Emily Wettstein, and Meghan Desanto, a goalkeeper.
On the offensive side, Lehigh will look to replace Lauren Day. Day concluded her career third all-time at Lehigh in total points with 30. Lehigh’s top returning offensive players are junior Jocelyn Helwig and senior Lauren Rybas. Besides Helwig and Rybas, two other returning players, including sophomore Hedy Kishel, and sophomore Lauren Kriete, will look to create additional scoring opportunities. Of the remaining nine incoming freshmen, Lauren Calabrese, Lauren Fornuto, Daniela Molina, and Emily Scott are forwards, while Karilyn Anderson, Meghan Duesing, Gina Lewandowski, Tara Stottlemyer, and Molly Luft can play in the midfield.
"I’m very excited about the upcoming season and the incoming freshmen class," said head coach Manny Oudin. "Our success will largely depend on the ability of the group to come together in a short period of time. I expect the returning players to have a better understanding of the expectations. They will need to provide guidance to the incoming group."
Lehigh will again play a competitive non-league schedule, along with an always-difficult Patriot League slate of games. With the addition of 12 new players, a championship-winning assistant coach, and 17 returnees, Lehigh hopes to be a strong force in the 2003 soccer season.
