| Head Coach: |
Mike Navarre (Wisconsin '96; 12th year, 91-79-27 overall) |
| 2009: |
6-7-5 overall, 3-6-2 MIAC (8th/12) |
| Starters Returning/Lost: |
7/4 |
| Letterwinners Returning/Lost: |
14/9 |
VIDEO PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH MIKE NAVARRE -- CLICK HERE
MINNEAPOLIS -- On paper, the Augsburg College women's soccer team may look young. Just three seniors and five juniors are on the 21-player roster.
But soccer games aren't played on paper.
With a corps of 14 returning letterwinners -- including seven returning starters -- and a solid group of young players, prospects are positive for the Auggies to improve from last year's 6-7-5 overall record and 3-6-2 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference mark.
“We've clearly had good players and good teams go through here, and rest assured with this group, it's being communicated to them that we take a lot of pride in being one of the top teams in the MIAC,” said head coach
Mike Navarre, entering his 12th season as the Auggies' mentor. “It takes a lot of work because there are so many good teams in our conference. We're definitely grateful for the success we've had, but we certainly can't rest on any laurels. We have to get after it every day and compete.”
Augsburg had a stretch of five straight seasons with top-four finishes in the MIAC standings snapped last year, and the Auggies are aiming for a return to the four-team MIAC postseason playoffs for the first time since a four-year stretch from 2004-07.
Navarre is closing in on a career milestone, entering his 12th season with 91 career victories (91-79-27 overall). He has the third-most career victories of any active MIAC soccer coach.
Key contributors are back
Several key contributors return to the Auggie lineup, led by forward
Lacey Hoover (SR, Duluth, Minn./Central HS), who led the team with six goals and 13 points last season. Entering her senior year, she currently stands 10th in school history in career goals (14) and 15th in career points (32).
“Lacey is a great player,” Navarre said. “She's a threat to score whenever she plays and will definitely be counted on to lead our attack this year.”
Defenders
Gina Liddell-Westefeld (SR, Iowa City, Iowa) and
Lisa Weniger (SR, Eagan, Minn./Environmental Studies HS) have been veterans in the Augsburg system, and will be called on to anchor a defense that lost three starters from last season.
“We take a lot of pride in our defense at Augsburg. It's what we've built our success around. Although we graduated some key players, we have players who can step in and are fortunate to have Gina and Lisa provide the leadership we need.” Navarre said.
A host of quality returners are back in the midfield, with junior
Courtney Gamrath (JR, St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) and sophomores
Kelsey Sorensen (SO, Eden Prairie, Minn.),
Bri Dorale (SO, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS) and
Devon Ellena (SO, Wales, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS). Meanwhile,
Courtney Barthel (SO, St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) and
Carly Reimer (SO, Eagan, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) received significant playing time last season as first-year players and can play multiple positions for the Auggies.
Gamrath is the lone returner to have started all 18 games last season, after contributing a goal and three assists. Sorensen scored three goals with three assists, while Dorale had a goal and four assists, Barthel scored three goals and Reimer contributed an assist.
Bri Clark (SO, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS) missed last season due to injury, but has returned healthy and ready to occupy one of the forward spots.
Laurie Barger (SO, Monticello, Minn.) saw time in seven games last year as a forward before an injury ended her season. Midfielders
Lindsey Niederhaus (JR, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS) and
Katie Jacobson (JR, St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo HS) also return.
Young goalkeepers, promising newcomers
Diana Bocklund (SO, Pine Springs, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) made a strong impact in goal last season for the Auggies, starting 15 games and recording a 1.11 goals-against-average with five shutouts. She will face a challenge this year for the starting spot with
Katie Gajewski (FY, Wausau, Wis./Wausau East HS), who led her high school to back-to-back state tournament appearances, and returner
Taylor Becker (JR, Red Wing, Minn.).
Five other first-year players will be counted on to make significant contributions to the Auggies' success. Defender
Mikaela Zierden (FY, Eagan, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran HS) earned Minnesota All-State honors last year, and will be joined on defense by
Alekzandra Miller (FY, St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park HS).
Alexis Houle (FY, Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS), an all-conference selection last year, and
Abby Kangas (FY, Eagan, Minn.) will contribute in the midfield, and
Rachel Nelson (FY, Coon Rapids, Minn.) will compete for time at forward.
