The Observer, September 7, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 2
Women's soccer splits Case Tournament
Infused with new blood on both the sideline and the field, the Case Western women's soccer team is coming alive.
With first-year coach Tiffany Crooks roaming the sidelines and 13 new freshmen vying with returning players for playing time, the Spartans took the field for the first time last weekend, hosting Lawrence University and Saint Mary's College. The Spartans beat Lawrence 2-0 and fell to St. Mary's College by a final score of 2-1. Freshman Amy Bishara scored her first collegiate goal against Lawrence and sophomore Kaitlyn Yule tacked on another goal later in the match.
St. Mary's College handed the Spartans their first loss of the season. Junior Lauren Hinton scored the first goal of the game for St. Mary's, but the Spartans quickly returned the favor when Kaitlyn Yule scored her second goal of the tournament. St. Mary's Whitney Fron scored the final goal of the game.
The team has changed up more than personnel: according to first-year player Allysen Arbelaez, the team has also switched formations. "This year we are playing a 4-3-3," Arbelaez explained. "That means that we are using our outside backs a lot more and they come up in the attack on the sides of the field. Coming from a Division I school, our new coach really knows what she is talking about. We have some great individual skilled players, but this year we are putting everything together as a whole team. She says we should win the games we should win, win the games we should have good competition in, and give a hard effort and compete in the games we're supposed to lose and try our hardest to pull out a win."
Like most things that are new, the Lady Spartans have had growing pains, going 1-1 through the weekend. "We played well; in the second game we were evenly matched but we were missing the final pieces," sophomore Katie Fromwiller said. "We have been stressing defense in practice, but now attacking is our focus and that's the final piece to our puzzle. We are improving actual skills and things that will help us in games. We are hopeful for this season, but we are new in this system and with the new freshmen we can't and don't slack off and we get better with every practice. We have much better improvement in attitude as well. [Coach] pushes us hard but knows when we need that break."
The Spartans are will face Juniata College tomorrow at 1 p.m. "I don't know anything about Juniata," said Fromwiller, "but I approach every game as hard as I can. This might be the confidence that comes with a new coach, but I believe we can have a great year."
