Aug. 26, 2004

The University of Michigan women's soccer team begins its 11th season of varsity competition in 2004. U-M, which finished last year 11-8-6 overall and 4-2-4 in the conference, listed No. 16 in the 2003 final National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas national rankings.

The Wolverines will suit up for 2004 with high ambition after earning victories in eight of their final 11 games last season to earn trips to the Big Ten Conference Tournament final and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. During the run, Michigan knocked off rival Michigan State 2-1 in overtime before closing out the season with a thrilling 3-2 upset of then No. 2-ranked Notre Dame on the road. One week later, the Wolverines traveled to the Big Ten Tournament in Madison, Wis., and picked up two solid victories over Ohio State (2-1) and Wisconsin (1-0) to reach the final against Illinois.

Although Michigan could not overtake the Illini in the championship game, losing 2-0, the Wolverines' strong showing did earn them their seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Michigan picked up a pair of 1-0 wins -- over Oakland and then No. 4-ranked Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., -- before bowing out in the third round to eventual runner-up Connecticut 5-0 in Storrs, Conn.

Head coach Debbie Rademacher begins her 11th season at the helm of the U-M women's soccer program after compiling a career record of 129-74-19 in her first 10 seasons. Over that stretch, the Wolverines' program has exhibited steady growth; from an impressive Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinal finish in the inaugural 1994 season, to a pair of conference tournament titles in 1997 and 1999, the Maize and Blue has begun to expect success on the national level, with seven consecutive NCAA Tournament trips, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2002 and the Sweet 16 in 2003. Rademacher has coached four NSCAA All-Americans, 19 NSCAA All-Region honorees, 32 All-Big Ten first- or second-team picks and 73 Academic All-Big Ten recipients.

With five letterwinners lost to graduation, including 2003 leading scorer Stephanie Chavez (15 points), Michigan will look to its youth to help lead the charge in 2004. U-M added nine freshmen to its roster in the off-season, earning the 13th best recruiting class in the nation according to Soccer Buzz. U-M enters the season with 17 returning letterwinners and nine returning starters.

The Wolverines welcome 10 new faces to the team this season. Midfielder/forward Jamie Artsis, midfielder Sarah Banco, midfielder Katie Bohard, forward Melissa Dobbyn, midfielder Carrie LaCroix, midfielder Lindsey MacDonald, defender Kandice McLaughlin, goalkeeper Emily Michalek and goalkeeper Lindsay Yakel make up Michigan's incoming freshman class, while sophomore Dory Gannes will join U-M as a backup goalkeeper.

The Forwards
Michigan, which lost 36% of its 2003 offensive output with the departing senior class, will look to senior Kate Morgan and juniors Therese Heaton and Katie Kramer to spearhead the offensive charge in 2004. Morgan, who was the team's leading scorer early last season before going down with a leg injury, has totaled 21 career points (nine goals, three assists) in 58 games. Heaton has compiled 31 points (12 goals, seven assists) in just two short seasons at U-M. Kramer, a redshirt sophomore, collected six goals and one assist for 13 points in her first season. Senior Laney Rosin, with 24 games of experience, will add depth up front, while redshirt freshman Emily Kalmbach looks to break out after recovering from a season-ending leg injury. Dobbyn, considered one of the top 50 high school seniors by Soccer Buzz, is expected to make an immediate impact in her first season wearing the Maize and Blue.

The Midfielders
The Wolverines will look to senior Laura Tanchon to provide leadership at midfield. Tanchon, a two-time co-captain and a 22-game starter at the central position last season, has collected one goal and two assists in 64 career games. Classmate Liz Dosa, who came on strong towards the end of last year, has played in 65 career games with identical marks of one goal and two assists. Sophomore Judy Coffman, an eight-game starter as a freshman, will be looked upon for her speed on the flanks. Redshirt freshman Lauren Fifield and true freshmen Artsis, Banco, Bohard, LaCroix and MacDonald will provide added depth at the position.

The Defenders
Michigan returns every starter from last season's strong defensive unit, which allowed just 28 goals in 25 games and collected 10 shutouts. Senior Rachel Rothenbach (a 22-game starter in 2003) and classmate Robyn Vince, who led U-M with six assists last season, will be main fixtures in the backfield. The sophomore trio of Lindsey Cottrell, a Big Ten All-Freshman team member, Brenna Mulholland, who saw action in 21 games in her first season, and Katelin Spencer, a 25-game starter last year, will continue to make significant contributions on the defensive end of the field. Junior/sophomore Whitney Kjar, who also started all 25 games last season, and senior Jillian Papa, a three-year letterwinner, will add experience to the position. McLaughlin will also compete for playing time at defense this season. 

And in Net ...
Sophomore Megan Tuura will look to continue her stellar career between the posts for Michigan. Tuura, a 17-game starter in her first season, allowed just 13 goals in over 1,586 minutes of action for a 0.74 GAA. A Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region All-Freshman team member in 2003, Tuura finished the year with an 8-4-5 record and five shutouts. Tuura saved her best play for the Big Ten, as she allowed just two goals in seven league games to lead the conference with a 0.35 GAA. Gannes, Michalek and Yakel will compete for a reserve position.

Big Ten Women's Soccer

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