California State University Stanislaus Athletics

With one decade of soccer in the books the Cal State Stanislaus women’s soccer team is looking to kickoff its second decade of play in style.

Coming up one goal short of the post season in 2007, a 2-1 loss on the road in the third-to-last game of the regular season against then-No. 24 Cal State Dominguez Hills that would have put the Warriors in fourth place, has provided all the motivation needed for this year's squad.

"We got so close last year we could taste it. This year’s team is extremely motivated to take that next step,” said Warriors Head Coach Gabriel Bolton. “The team worked very hard all off season and is ready for a great year.”

The Warriors spent the first seven weeks of the 2007 California Collegiate Athletic Association season in first place before falling to second in the North Division by losing their final three matches, missing the postseason by just four points in the standings.

The relatively inexperienced team of 2007, which had only two senior starters, returns intact. The Warriors have also added a dynamic group of 16 newcomers to the mix.

“We have a great blend of returners and rookies,” Bolton said. “All of these players have the ability to help us play an attractive attacking brand of soccer that is exciting to watch.”

The Warriors will be somewhat misplaced in 2008, as they will be forced to play all of their home matches off campus at the nearby Turlock Regional Sports Complex while the finishing touches are put on the Student Recreation Center Stadium, scheduled to open in Spring 2009.

The 2008 schedule presents some immediate challenges for the Warriors, who will go on the road for two exhibitions against NCAA Division I teams. On Aug. 15 the team heads to UC Davis to take on the Aggies, and two days later head to Stockton to play University of the Pacific.

The Warriors open the regular season with a home match against west region rival and Great Northwest Athletic Conference member Northwest Nazarene, a team that went 7-10-2 in 2007. Other non-conference matches on the Warriors’ 2008 schedule include Hawaii-Hilo, Notre Dame de Namur, Cal State San Marcos and a late-season match-up against the San Francisco Academy of Art in Turlock.

The Warriors will host the 2007 CCAA Champion and North Division rival Chico State on Oct. 26. The Wildcats are ranked No. 24 in the preseason National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas preseason poll. Also coming to Turlock in 2008 is preseason No. 13 Cal State Dominguez Hills on Oct. 12 and 2007 CCAA Championship Tournament participant UC San Diego on Oct. 10.

Below is a breakdown of the team by position.

Goalkeeper

Junior Jessica Sitarz has been the starting goalkeeper for the Warriors since her arrival on the Turlock campus three years ago. She will be challenged by two freshmen. Millie Brown from Elk Grove High School and the Boca soccer club, and Krista Messer from Pitman High School will both battle for playing time and a starting position.

After two seasons, Sitarz sits in second place for every career goalkeeper record in the Cal State Stanislaus record books, looking up at former player and current assistant coach Breanna Vaughn in each category. After setting the single season record for saves in 2006 with 116, Sitarz returned with an 80-save season in 2007 to put her name down twice in the top five for that category. Sitarz’s mark of seven shutouts in 2007 is third all-time on the single-season record list.

Defenders

The Warriors return two-time All-CCAA honoree Melissa Phillips to the center of the defense. Phillips, a senior, will anchor the back line. Also returning is versatile defender and team Co-Rookie Of The Year Kaity Bojorquez. She led the team in minutes played in 2007.

“(Bojorquez) can play any position in the back,” Bolton said.

At the center back position, redshirt freshman Vanessa Cervantes is expected to lead the charge to replace Jenna Coates, who graduated after the 2007 season. She will be challenged by freshman Kittric Lovel.

Senior Caitie Van Wormer will lead the fight at the right back position. There will be plenty of competition at this position, according to Bolton. Among those in contention will be speedy freshman Allison Freels.

Left back may actually be the most hotly contested position race during the preseason. Returner Heather Overholt, who earned the starting position in the spring, will have a host of challengers including Aubrey Sharp, Kayln Pottorff and Devon Lapenias.

Look for coach Bolton to possibly convert forwards Jade Adamson and Rachel Mathews into outside defenders as well. "In our system having attacking-minded outside backs is a huge bonus," Bolton said.

Midfield

The Warriors will be led in the midfield by senior captain Jenna Kasch. She will be joined by fellow senior Tiffani Moore and sophomore Lisa Garcia. All three were starters in 2007 and are expected to lead a seasoned and talented group.

International student Alena Smajlagic, who joined the Warriors in the spring, is also expected to be an impact player in the midfielder this fall. Joining these players will be returners Kim DiNardo, Jessica Cordova and Christine Rust. A group of very talented newcomers including Alisa Barlow, Nichole Meyer, Emily Celey-Butlin and Julia Geller will compete for playing time as well.

Forwards

The top three goal scorers for 2007 all return to the 2008 squad. Junior Briana McClain led the team with six goals and was second in points behind graduated senior Cherie Early with 14. She is joined by senior Adrienne Sorenson and sophomore Adamson. The two combined for nine goals and 21 points in 2007. Skilled left winger Mackenzie Flandro also returns to challenge for a starting position at forward, along with sophomore Maryanne Sayles.

Three late forward transfers have head coach Bolton believing the forward position battle will be very interesting. Senior Gennaka Fox, a transfer from Division I UOP, is joined by Mathews, a senior transfer from Division II power Winona State (Minn.) and sophomore Liz Clem from Salem College. Also in the mix for a starting position is Marissa Dunaway, an “explosive” freshman from Gilroy.

“(Fox) is a standout for sure,” Bolton said of the UOP transfer. Fox has considerable experience at the Division I level, playing in the Pac-10 for Oregon University her freshman year in 2004 and two years for UOP in the Big West.

With such a bounty of players at the forward position, Bolton should not have a problem making the aforementioned conversion of Adamson and Mathews to outside defenders, adding speed to the back line, as well as a forward attacking mindset.

“While replacing Warrior legend Cherie Early won't be easy, the forward position looks to be very competitive,” Bolton said.

Early finished her career at Cal State Stanislaus second in career assists with 15 and second in career points with 49, both behind former player and current assistant coach Marti Teunissen. She finished fifth on the career goals list with 17 and her six assists in 2007 rank third all-time on the single season record list.