The Cougar women, who finished last season 11-6-1, return eight players as they get set to open the season Saturday and Sunday at the Landers Soccer Complex against Hesston College. Saturday’s contest begins at 11 a.m. while Sunday’s action kicks off at 10 a.m.
“I am a bit concerned with the number of injuries with this team and that is something we will have to sort out before where we head in the future,” WNCC women’s coach Todd Rasnic said. “I think we are getting there and we certainly have demonstrated that we are a group that won’t stop playing until the very end of the game. We have been plagued a little bit in the pre-season by injuries and that has set us back a little bit.”
When they are 100 percent, this women’s team has just as much talent as in years past, including the 2008 team that captured the Region IX championship.
“We do have a good group of sophomores that are back, but the injury bug has affected us in the pre-season,” Rasnic said. “If everyone is healthy, we are fine. We certainly will be a competitive group. We have some real talent on the freshmen side and I think that with combination of the experience of the sophomores will help us build into a good season.”
The Cougars return eight players that either practiced or played for the Cougars a year ago. The six returners that saw action last year include goalkeeper Jessica Taylor and Tiffany Snethen. Also returning are Gering High graduates Jacee Roseberry and Ashley Heimbouch.
Other returners include Jordan Lutkin, Brittany McNeil, Miriam Alfaro and Cristina Soto. McNeil and Snethen red-shirted last season because of injuries.
The sophomores are joined by a talented incoming group, led by sophomore transfer Amairani (Ami) Peregrina of Denver. Peregrina played last season at Colorado State University-Pueblo.
Other newcomers that will add quickness to the Cougar line-up include Grace McConnell and Leticia Lopez of Henderson, Nev.; Fernanda Acorinte of Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Ashley Gleason, Quincey Jackson, Rachelle Tekler, Kristi Blicharz, and Daisy Rosales all from Colorado.
“I think we have increased our speed at least on the outsides and the wings,” Rasnic said. “If we can use the width of the field to attack, we should have good opportunities to open up the defense and find gaps that we can move through and get some scoring opportunities. But, all that is based off the fact that everyone is healthy and that is where we are struggling at this point. “
This weekend’s contests will not be easy. The last time the two squads faced one other, WNCC came back from a 3-0 deficit to drop Hesston 4-3 back in 2008 on the road. Hesston is guided by first-year coach Bryan Kehr, who comes to Hesston from Bethany Christian Schools. The Larks have a roster of 19 players with just four players from in-state Kansas.
“They are always well coached and because of that well coaching, they end up competing well in every game that they play. That was our experience the last time that we played them,” Rasnic said. “On any given day, a team that is well-coached can come out and play against anybody. So, we have to get our injuries taken care of and put our best team out on the field on Saturday, and hopefully the right team will win.”
Rasnic will use this weekend’s contests as a barometer for the rest of the season and what they need to compete for a regional title, which WNCC will host the latter part of October.
“We want to be in contention for a Region IX title and I think if everybody is healthy, I think that is a potential,” he said. “I have to give this group of girl’s credit. They have fought through the injuries and I think they have showed a lot of mental toughness and are starting to pull together. We are playing well together; I just want to see how we play against a lot of pressure and that is one of the things that will come by playing a few games in our division.”
2010 Women’s Soccer Roster
Jessica Taylor, sophomore from Longmont, Colo.; Jordan Lutkin, sophomore from Gillette, Wyo.; Jacee Roseberry, sophomore from Minatare; Brittany McNeil, red-shirt freshman from Milliken, Colo.; Miriam Alfaro, sophomore from Denver, Colo.; Tiffany Snethen, red-shirt freshman from Rapid City, S.D.; Cristina Soto, sophomore from Longmont, Colo.; Ashley Heimbouch, sophomore from Gering; Leticia Lopez, freshman from Anchorage, Alaska; Grace McConnell, freshman from Henderson, Nev.; Ashley Gleason, freshman from Loveland, Colo.; Quincey Jackson, freshman from Colorado Springs, Colo.; Rachelle Tekler, freshman from Kersey, Colo.; Fernanda Acorinte, freshman from Sao Paulo, Brazil; Kristi Blicharz, freshman from Littleton, Colo.; Amairani Peregrina, sophomore from Denver, Colo.; and Daisy Rosales, freshman from Commerce City, Colo.
2010 Women’s Soccer Schedule
August
28 – Hesston College, 11 a.m.; 29 – Hesston College, 10 a.m.
September
4 – Northwest College, 5 -- @ Butler County C.C. in Cheyenne; 8 -- @ Laramie County C.C.; 11 -- @ Hutchinson Community College; 12 -- @ Cloud County Community College; 19 -- @ Garden City Community College; 22 – Laramie County Community College, 4 p.m.; 24-26 -- @ CU Boulder Tournament.
October
2 – Western Wyoming Community College, 11 a.m.; 4 – Iowa Western Community College, 10 a.m.; 6 -- @ Northwest College; 16 -- @ Western Wyoming Community College; 17 -- @ North Idaho College in Rock Springs, Wyo.; 22-24 – Region IX Tournament at Landers Soccer Complex.
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