This is the fourth installment of White & Blue Review’s preview for the 2009 Creighton women’s soccer team. Join us every day this week as we take a look at a different part of Bruce Erickson’s club, leading up to his team’s exhibition game Sunday, August 16, versus Minnesota State.
The Defense
Creighton’s 2009 defense is a bit oxymoronic at first glance. The position is extremely young, yet full of experience. With all but two of the defense’s returning players underclassmen, it looks as though Bruce Erickson and his staff have build a future foundation for that part of the program. Still, this season’s Jays team will rely heavily on a three-year contributor to anchor the relatively young defense.
That would be Tara Bailey. She led the Jays in minutes played last season (1,652), started all 19 matches, and placed 12 shots on goal. Erickson will no doubt rely heavily on Bailey this season, as she actually has four seasons worth of experience with his program (she redshirted in 2006).
Bailey is joined in the backfield by returning defender Eden Hingwing. She redshirted last season after being named to the MVC All-Freshman team in 2006 and to the MVC All-Tournament team during Creighton’s championship 2007 season. Why, after two successful underclassmen years, did she sit out? She spent last year training with the Canadian Under-20 Women’s National team. She has also been named to Canada’s Olympic development team. Her return is critical to Creighton’s defensive success.
That’s it for upperclassmen. But that’s not to insinuate that the underclassmen aren’t prepared for the 2009 season. For example, Erin Gunther started 16 matches as a freshman and logged 1,329 minutes and 3 assists on the year. Those numbers and her total effort were good enough to earn her All-Freshman honors in The Valley. She’ll be joined by classmates Kelly Connolly (530 minutes in 2008), Tessa McKeone (263 minutes), and Rachelle Holt (63 minutes).
Those sophomores will need to come along quickly both in skills and in leadership, as Erickson’s squad will feature five freshmen. Kat Wright sat out her first season at Arizona and has her entire eligibility remaining as a redshirt freshman for the Bluejays. True freshmen Kelsey Crocker, Lauren Wong, Gabriela Guillen, and Katie Murphy also begin their first seasons on the Hilltop.
Tomorrow we will look at the last line of defense for the Jays as they try to replace stand out goalkeeper Kristen Casey. Stay Tuned!.