WJU Women Set for Season Opener at Walsh

By: Michael McDonald, Assistant Sports Information Director

Women's Soccer | 8/30/2016 8:47:00 PM

WHEELING, W.Va. – The level of optimism is high for the Wheeling Jesuit women's soccer team, as the Cardinals improved from a single win in 2014 to four wins a year ago. WJU returns a strong core from the previous season, including three of its top four goal scorers, a second team All-Conference defender, and a sophomore goalkeeper with 10 starts under her belt.

"We're confident we can capitalize on more opportunities and score more goals," WJU head coach Tyler Absalom stated. "We are still focused on building the program in the right direction, and I think we have been taking the right steps. It all comes down to scoring goals at the right moments."

WJU begins its 2016 season with a non-conference road match against Walsh University on Saturday, September 3 at 5 p.m. The Cardinals open their home and conference season with an 8 p.m. matchup against the Shepherd University Rams on Friday, September 9.

The Cardinals goal will be guarded by an experienced sophomore, Hannah Thompson, who started 10 games as a freshman. In her 10 appearances, Hannah saved 72 shots and tallied three shutouts.

"Hannah has the experience of an upperclassmen as a sophomore, and that is rare for a goalkeeper," Absalom added. "She's a veteran as a sophomore, and is extremely quick. She has the ability to make some big time saves when needed."

Freshman Megan Herter out of Sacred Heart-Griffin (Ill.) will look to push Thompson and compete for a spot.

"Megan will push and compete with Hannah. She has great technical skills and can make big saves at the right time," the second year WJU head coach expressed.

The Cardinals defense will be anchored by a returning member of the All-Mountain East Conference Second Team, Natalie Indermuhle.

"Natalie is the anchor of our back line," Absalom stressed. "She's an all-around great kid, a heck of a ball-winner, and is successful in physical battles."

The All-MEC defender will be joined by juniors Megan Boyle and Samantha Combs, sophomores Maria Ruggery and Cameron Smith, and freshman Brianna Murgi.

"Megan and Samantha are veterans for us and will look to have a significant impact on our team," Absalom added. "Maria is very athletic, and as a sophomore, can affect our team in a huge way. She has adapted and become more comfortable in the college game. Cam is coming off a great spring, and she is a big, strong presence for us. I look for Brianna to fight for playing time as a freshman. She comes from a winning program, has a very high soccer IQ, and is a true competitor."

Senior Meghan Horan will lead the strong group of returning midfielders for the Cardinals. The four-year starter and 2015 Honorable Mention MEC performer scored three goals and notched three assists during her junior campaign.

"Meghan is a captain, and she acts like it. She's our returning leading scorer, possesses a high soccer IQ, and is very crafty on the ball," Absalom expressed. "She has all of the experience you could ask for."

Horan will be joined by four fellow seniors at the midfield position. Kristen Garland, Morgan Jacobson, Sydney Lavengood and Falon Weidman will look to guide the Cardinals to a successful season.

"Kristen is a captain and has excellent vision. She is a great passer, can score and is scrappy around the ball," Absalom added. "Morgan is what you would call a transitional player for us, as she can play either midfield and defense. She knows the game very well and takes pride in her senior leadership. Sydney is another great passer, and a mirror of her teammate, Kristen (Garland). She possesses great footwork and is scrappy around the ball. Falon had a good junior year where she collected a good amount of playing time. She is effective with the ball and ready to make an impact for us."

Sophomore Sarah Blasiman and freshman Micah Miller will also compete for minutes at the midfield position.

"Sara is an impact yet unassuming player. She plays a lot bigger than she is, and she has great vision," Absalom noted. "Micah has a great understanding for the game and is a true ball winner."

On the offensive side of the pitch, the junior duo of Nikki Hillard and Jenny Sogaard-Andersen look to capitalize on more scoring opportunities this year.

"Nikki and Jenny are goal scorers, plain and simple. Nikki is our third captain. She can create a goal out of almost nothing. Jenny is a very technically skilled player. They both know the game extremely well and we look for more goals from both of them this season," Absalom stated.

Sophomores Kayla Klock, Emily Hartley and Karly Judy return from a freshman season where they all made an immediate impact.

"Kayla is a transitional midfielder and forward who is looking to secure some quality playing time. She is a great passer and has the potential to be a successful goal scorer," said Absalom. "Emily had a big impact as a freshman and I look for more scoring opportunities from her. She can score from just about anywhere on the field," the Cardinals head coach added. "Karly was a MEC player of the week for her two game-winning scores, so that should tell you enough. She is excellent at creating chances and is a dangerous athlete on the field."

The Cardinals bring in two freshmen at the forward position, Cate Calissie and Darby Lynch. Cate attended Wheeling Central Catholic while Darby attended Bishop Rosecrans in Zanesville, Ohio.

"Cate and Darby have a lot of potential. Cate has great vision and passing while also being able to score goals. Darby has a reputation for scoring goals, and can truly affect the game on the offensive side of the field," Absalom concluded.

The combination of veterans returning and freshman joining the Cardinals roster has WJU poised to make a run for postseason play. Stay up to date with the Cardinals action by following the team on the WJU Athletics website, athletics.wju.edu.

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