Aug. 26, 2004

For Head Coach Carla Baker and the 2004 University of Iowa soccer team, consistency is the key. After an up and down season in 2003, Baker would like to see her squad maintain a level of success that will boost the Hawkeyes into a dominant force in the Big Ten Conference.

"We need to become consistent in hard work, making the extra effort and scoring goals," Baker explained. "I think if we work at those positives, we will have a very successful season."

The Hawkeyes have many new faces in the program, including two new assistant coaches. Josh Green and Jen Plante.  both have a tremendous amount of experience and bring different talents to the program. 

The Hawkeyes have 11 letterwinners returning, seven of which were starters from last year's squad.  Eleven newcomers will add depth to the roster and provide more competition for playing time.
  
FORWARDS
The Hawkeyes will look to junior Katelyn Quinn to lead the group of forwards this year. Quinn scored 11 of Iowa's 21 goals in 2003 and recorded 23 points.  Quinn continues her climb in the Iowa record books and is in the top 10 in 11 different categories. Sophomore Danielle Oswald will also play an important role as a forward this year.  Lindsey Phillips will see some playing time as a forward but may find her strengths more beneficial to the team as a midfielder. 

Newcomers Katie Mulvahill and Maggie Kukuk will fill the void left by Karen Enockson, who will not compete this year due to an ACL injury that was suffered in the spring. The Hawkeyes lost three-year letterwinner Courtney Wilkerson to graduation.

"Katelyn will be a strong team leader for us this year," Baker said. "We will ask Katelyn to do a lot of things on and off the field that will help our team grow and achieve the kind of success we dream about daily." Baker said. "Danielle has a lot of talent that is untapped and we plan on helping her see how good she can really become if she is willing to embrace the challenge. She has the opportunity to be a very good Big Ten player.  Katie and Maggie excite me because their work rate and energy on the field is contagious.  I look forward to the time they can contribute on the field."

MIDFIELDERS
Iowa's group of midfielders is the question mark of the team, but Coach Baker believes it is an exciting challenge for the student-athletes. The Hawkeyes have four returning midfielders and a very talented group of newcomers who will challenge for playing time.

"We have a talented group of student-athletes in the program," Baker said. "The competition will invigorate and boost the level of play in our midfield.  We will demand more from these positions and look forward to see who wins the starting positions."

Returning for Iowa are juniors Avery Bang and Whitney Strain along with sophomores Paige Harwell and Julie Hickman. Phillips may also play in the midfield after playing forward last season. Bang has worked very hard in the off-season and Coach Baker expects her to rise as the leader of this group.

"Avery sees the game well," Coach Baker said. "If she believes in herself and is willing to engage in the physical play of the Big Ten Conference, she has the opportunity to have a very positive impact on the team this fall." 

Four newcomers will compete for playing time in the midfield. Ashley Schlueter, Susan Yagla, Jamie Maltman and Sarah Stephenson will all have a chance to see the pitch for the Hawkeyes this fall. This group of newcomers will help replace Kristin Zoelle who is out for the year with an injury.
 
DEFENDERS
Coach Baker describes the defense as "young but talented." The Hawkeyes lost Nicole Gatens and Teesa Price to graduation and sophomore Kristen Slusarz to a chronic hip injury. Baker has two people in mind that will step up and support the Hawkeyes in the back.  It will be up to the student-athletes to prove they can earn the starting position.

Kitty Montgomery returns for her final year as a Hawkeye. The three-year letterwinner will anchor the defense and Coach Baker will look to her for team leadership.  Margit Vogele will also see significant playing time in 2004.

"Kitty and Margit are both very talented," Coach Baker said.  Margit has trained very hard in the off-season and if she stays healthy, she will have a great season. Kitty is positive and hard working, I hope her qualities rub off not only on the defenders, but the rest of the team."

Another large group of newcomers will challenge for playing time. Claire Goldenberg, Melisa Kaetterhenry, Abigail Gierke, Megan Love and Kim Lewis will compete for time on the pitch this fall. 

GOALKEEPERS
2004 will mark the end of the Britta Vogele campaign at Iowa and Coach Baker hopes she will put an even bigger mark on Iowa soccer than she has the previous three years. The senior holds numerous school records and looks to add to them this season. 

"Britta is truly a special player," Baker said. "She cares about the development of her game and is such a tremendous competitor.  If Britta plays to her potential and the rest of the team does their job, she will be an All-Big Ten goalkeeper. I perceive Britta to be a more complete goalkeeper than any other goalkeeper in the Big Ten."

Two new faces will back up Vogele in net this year. Kate Cahalan and Lindsey Boldt both have the potential to follow in the footsteps of Vogele.

"They both bring different aspects to the game," Baker explained. "Kate has size and physical presence while Lindsey has good footwork, mobility and solid hands. With training and the commitment to development, Kate and Lindsey have the opportunity to become all-Big Ten goalkeepers."

Big Ten Women's Soccer

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