Barry University has enjoyed great success over the years in women’s soccer. But the Bucs will trot out their youngest lineup since the inaugural 1984 campaign this year.
“The loss of some key players from last year’s squad makes the team this year very young,” head coach Kyllene Carter-Weiss explained. “We only have two seniors and three juniors, one of them a transfer. All the rest are sophomores and freshmen.”
Despite the youth, experience is not lacking. The sophomore class was thrust into immediate action last season and will benefit from that experience in this campaign.
“Our sophomores are one of the strongest classes we’ve brought in over the last few years and should continue to do great things for the women’s soccer program,” Carter-Weiss said.
Along with the returners, an influx of talent from a great freshman class has the coaches confident that the team goals of winning the Sunshine State Conference title and advancing back to the NCAA Tournament are well within grasp. The rookies bring great speed and an exuberant personality that will serve them well during the long grind of a college season.
“Our main focus will be regaining our conference title,” Carter-Weiss said. “We know if we take care of SSC business, the national picture will take care of itself.”
The Bucs finished second in the SSC in 2005, the first time they failed to win the title since 1998. In fact, in eight years of SSC action, the Bucs have never finished lower than second.
Goalkeeper
The Bucs welcome back both keepers from a defensive unit that held opponents under a goal per game for the seventh straight season, and 18th out of the last 20. Kelly Tryson was the primary starter, playing in all 18 games and making 17 starts. She recorded a 76.7 save percentage and worked three solo shutouts. Her best game perhaps came in a 1-1 tie against third-ranked West Florida when she made a career-high 13 saves to help snap the Argonauts’ 14-game winning streak. Liz Morgan played in eight games, making one start, running her scoreless streak to 562 minutes before allowing her only goal against Florida Tech on Oct. 20.
“Both keepers have really battled this training camp.” Carter-Weiss said. “This is without question the most tightly competitive spot on the team this season. Either one could be a starter.”
Midfield
The midfield will have to be restructured this season after losing former conference Player-of-the-Year Tiina Saario to the coaching staff. Damarys Mendez, who saw most of her time on the wing as a rookie, will look to take over Saario’s slot in the middle of the field. She is a tough tackler and ball-winner who will help the Bucs maintain ball control in the center. Shannon Miller is also back after playing in 36 games during her first three years. She has great vision and distribution in the midfield.
Jena Cernuto and Kalie Adkinson both saw time on the wings in reserve roles last season. Cernuto, who was bothered by injuries and is still recovering, gives the team a burst of speed on the outside when healthy. Adkinson is another speed merchant with good marking skills and the ability to serve the ball.
Freshmen Ashlee Alonzo and Malin Sintorn will also compete for time on the wings. Alonzo is a natural goal scorer who is extremely quick. Sintorn, who is still adjusting to the American college game, has a nice service from the left side. Fellow rookie Tiina Elonen looks to continue the Bucs’ Finnish pipeline. She will play a more central role, along with Mendez, helping the Bucs maintain ball control.
Forward
No unit took a bigger hit at graduation than the forwards as four-time SSC Offensive Player-of-the-Year Emelie Karlsson closed out her eligibility along with Elisa Pirinen, the squad’s second-leading scorer.
Nicole Uno enters her third season looking for increase responsibility on the front line. A crafty player, she presents a good target for entry passes in the scoring box. Elanna Brady will shift over from the wing to her more natural forward slot this season. Her success will be a key for the Bucs to maintain their scoring presence. She is very fast and clever with the ball, helping to break down opposing defenses.
Freshman Steph Day is a former Miami Herald Dade County Player of the Year and is developing good chemistry with Brady on her penetrating runs.
Defender
After graduating three seniors from 2004, last year’s defensive unit was very young. But the group came together to post another excellent defensive season. This year, the Bucs return two of four starters. Tiffany Rolfing earned a Second-Team commendation from the SSC after locking up the sweeper position. The Bucs have a history of great sweepers, including All-Americans Merry Osikowicz and Kassy Slattery, and Rolfing may be the next in that line. She has exceptional speed and toughness. Carley Radcliff returns at the left back slot. Another fast defender, she will cover a lot of ground in the back third.
Danielle Donovan and Erin Scoggins both logged valuable minutes last season and will be expected to challenge for increased time this year.
Newcomers Niki Day and Maya Ozery should also see plenty of time right from the start of the season. Ozery, a transfer from Florida International and a member of the Israeli National Team, should slide into the stopper position where her combination of offensive and defensive skills will help the Bucs transition into the attack. Niki Day is a strong man marker with great speed who could earn a starting job out of training camp.
Schedule
Having made the NCAA Division II tournament every year since it began except for 1994, the Bucs lead all Division II schools with 18 championship appearances (17 in D-II and once in NCAA Division I). The Bucs will enjoy a more balanced schedule with eight games at Buccaneer Field and nine games away from home, including three neutral site games.
“It’s very challenging to get people to play us here in Miami Shores,” Carter-Weiss said. “However, on the road, we do a lot more to prepare us for competition. With such a young team, I feel the road preparation will help with our team chemistry which is vital.”
The team opens the 2006 season at home on Aug. 25 hosting Webber then has a return game at home against Tusculum on Sept. 1. They then head out on the road for the next six games, facing Christian Brothers and Harding in Memphis, Tenn.; Texas A&M-Commerce and St. Edward’s in Austin, Texas at the Hilltopper Classic and finally a trip that includes the Sunshine State Conference opener at Florida Tech and neutral-site contest in Jacksonville, Fla., against West Florida.
The Bucs close out a busy September with their last four games in south Florida, hosting Palm Beach Atlantic, Lynn and Rollins and visiting Nova Southeastern.
In October, Barry hosts Florida Southern and then faces Tampa in the biggest game of the year as they look to regain their conference title. After traveling to Eckerd, the Bucs host cross-town rival St. Thomas then close the regular season at Saint Leo.
The SSC Tournament runs Oct. 24-29, followed by the NCAA Championship, which culminates in the first-ever fall sports festival, hosted in Pensacola, Fla., Nov. 15-19 by the Pensacola Sports Association and the University of West Florida.