MSUB Women’s Soccer Look to Continue to Climb GNAC Ladder in 2008

BILLINGS, Mont. - The Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team enters the 2008 season determined to advance in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Jackets are poised to climb the GNAC ladder with a core of veteran players and a talented pool of newcomers. 
                 
Coming off a season overall of 9-10-1 in 2007, head coach Don Trentham begins his seventh season at the helm of the Yellowjackets.  Trentham remains focused on winning the conference and playing in the NCAA’s, although he fully understands the toughness of the contenders he faces.

“We finished fourth last year,” Trentham said.  “I think we have a very solid conference from top to bottom and because of that anyone can beat anyone on any given day.”

Trentham considers Seattle Pacific the team to beat this season.

“They (SPU) went to the semifinals last year and were ranked in the top five nationally,” Trentham said.  “Until someone beats SPU, they are the best in the conference.”

With this objective in mind, Trentham is optimistic about the team’s make-up and skill
set.  Although the team will feel the loss of the graduation of four seniors who had been the most successful in terms of W/L record in the history of the program, Trentham is confident in the ability of the 15 returning veterans and eight talented newcomers to fill those roles.

“We have three very solid seniors in co-captains Sara Gress and Mandy Ploskonka, as well as Melissa Carlson,” Trentham said.  “This is the most experienced senior class in my tenure here.  They have all played every game of their career and started just about every game.  The experience of this class is great and I look forward to watching them lead the team this year.”
               
In addition, five of the eight newcomers to the team had the opportunity to attend the MSUB Overnight Camp in June, which provided a preview of their talents. 
“They were all very fit at the camp,” Trentham said.  “I think they all will play a very important part and hopefully a few of them will compete for some starting time.”
               
Trentham sees the midfield as the backbone of the team and is enthusiastic about the experience level that will be centered there.
               
“All three seniors will be in the midfield.  The team chemistry and experience there will prove very important in tight games this year,” Trentham said.  “Last year we lost six or seven games by one goal.  I’m hoping that with the senior leadership, those one goal losses will turn into one goal wins.”
               
Other strengths include the keen competition up top among returning players and several of the incoming recruiting class.  Trentham feels that the Jackets will compete very well up top and at outside mid.  Although they don’t have quite as much experience defensively, the defensive players are strong competitors that will improve technically and tactically throughout the season.
               
“We are looking forward to our second year in the GNAC,” Trentham said.  “Now we’ve done the road trips and played on the different fields.  We know what to expect there in terms of playing on the road in this conference.  As always, we’re focusing mentally and physically on winning and getting to the NCAA Tournament.  All the athletes and coaches are focused on achieving that goal.”

Forward:
Sophomore Ali Gamberg will join junior Chelsea Libby and incoming freshmen Kelly Ross and Kristen Drobny at forward.  Gamberg is a very technical player and had one of the best springs of anyone on the team.  Expect Libby, who played in every game last year and scored the game winner against Rocky Mountain, to find the net this season.  Ross brings both size and strength as she joins the Jackets from one of the top club teams out of Alberta, while Drobny provides speed and a knack of finding the back of the net.

Midfield:
Senior standouts Sara Gress and Mandy Ploskonka will join sophomore Samantha Sandau at center midfield.  As a second-year captain, Gress has been a key defender in three of the Jackets’ best defensive teams in school history.  She was picked to the 2007 GNAC all-conference honorable mention team and helped the Jackets to a 1.53 goals against average last season.
               
Ploskonka, who was named all-conference second team in 2007, is co-captain of the team this year.  She is a player who can keep possession in mid and can attack and take players on and score goals.  Sandau is versatile enough to play up top or at center mid.  A very technical player on the ball, she was third on the team in points last season with 18.           

At outside mid, look for senior Melissa Carlson and sophomores Kari Foreman and Caitlin Differding to be joined by freshmen newcomer Heather Lansdown.
               
“Melissa (Carlson) will move from center mid to outside mid,” Trentham said.  “She worked hard learning that position this spring and has one of the highest work ethics on our team.  It will be fun to watch her create problems for opposing defenses this year.”
               
Last year Foreman, (team newcomer of the year), played in 20 games and started 16.  As a very good attacking player, she is tough to defend and will help create several scoring chances.  Also look for Differding and Lansdown to compete for time.  Differding, who redshirted last year, is expected to bring goal scoring ability and defensive skill to the position.  Landsdown is a crafty, technical player that will also help with the MSUB attack.

Defense:
The Jacket lineup for outside back will include sophomores Carly Valentine and Lauren Anderson, as well as freshmen Mikayla Brandhorst, Mykenzie Deverell, and Kelley Minard .  Valentine started most games for MSUB as a freshman.  She is one of the team’s strongest outside backs and has the ability to serve good balls out of the back.  Anderson, who played in 10 games last year, gaining valuable experience, is a solid defender who does a great job of attacking out of the back.  Brandhorst and Minard bring fitness, good size, and strength to the defense, while Deverell brings speed and physicality.
               
At center back, look for sophomores Megan Carlson and Samantha Boehm, as well as freshmen Kaitlyn Keyes and Amy Remsberg to fill out the defensive lineup.  Carlson’s (Megan) experience is somewhat limited, but she did start against Seattle Pacific last year and has worked hard this spring to position herself to contribute at center back.  Boehm, who was first team all-conference her freshman year, red-shirted her sophomore year due to injury and is expected to compete at center back this season.  Keyes and Remsberg have good size and strength, plus a very good technical ability to help them compete for the center back position as well. 

Goal:
Two sophomores will look to fill the role of goalkeeper this season—Brittany Knudtzon
and Jordan Fenwick. 
               
“Knudtzon played in nine games last year and started eight as a freshman, which gave her a lot of valuable experience,” Trentham said.  “She had the most wins in goal last year of the three keepers and has demonstrated a great work ethic in training.  She is excited about the prospect of battling Jordan Fenwick to become the number one goalkeeper.”
               
Fenwick played the most games in goal last fall with 15, and started the most with 10. 
               
“Fenwick’s hands are very solid and she plays very well with her feet,” Trentham said.  “She continues to gain confidence and I expect she will be right there with Knudt in trying to win the starting job.  They are both very good keepers, but what’s great is they bring something separate.  It’s a very competitive position on the team this year.”

Schedule:
The Yellowjackets always pride themselves in putting a solid schedule that will give them an opportunity to get to the tournament.  They play Ft. Lewis (NCAA), Mary (NCAA), Carroll (NAIA Tournament), SPU (Final Four), Western Washington (tournament two years ago).  From start to finish, there are not any breaks, according to Trentham.
               
“This is one of the most competitive schedules since I have been here,” Trentham said.  “We have to be mentally and physically ready to play every game and, if we play well, we will be in a position to get into the NCAA Tournament.”