2009 MSUB Women’s Soccer Outlook
Two-Year Focus Combines Depth and Experience

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University Billings’ head women’s soccer coach Don Trentham begins his eighth season at the helm of the Yellowjackets in 2009.  With the goal of advancing to the top ranks of a very competitive Great Northwest Athletic Conference, Trentham is expecting good things from a two-year, targeted program aimed at consolidating ten newcomers, with the depth and experience of 10 veteran juniors, four sophomores and one fifth-year senior.

“I think we have a nice mixture of youth and experience,” Trentham said.  “It’s a combination that pays off with success towards the middle and end of the season when we are hopefully battling for a conference title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.”

Because the Jackets are likely to return 24 of 25 players next season, Trentham is advancing a two-year approach.  The potential for so many of the team to play together for the next two years bodes well for their future performance and progress in the GNAC.

“I think we have depth at every position on the field this year,” Trentham said.  “With an experienced and deep team, and with just about everyone back in 2010, we are looking at it as a two-year project.  If we go out and play the way we are capable of playing and we get results, I think we will be able to compete for a GNAC championship either this year or next.”

Forward:
The competition is keen for players vying to win the two forward spots.  Juniors Ali Gamberg and Samantha Sandau, as well as sophomore Kelly Ross have talent to lend to the position.  Gamberg, who was second team all-conference, had a breakout year last year and her momentum is expected to continue.  Look for Sandau, who started several games the past two years, recording eight goals and eight assists so far in her career, to be a major force in ’09.

“Kelly (Ross) is a player who I think could be what Ali (Gamberg) was to us last year,” Trentham said.  “She did some good things as a freshman and if she can get things going on early, I think she can score a lot of goals.”  

Freshman Jaucelyn Richter is considered a pure finisher and good forward who scored 46 goals in her high school career. Trentham is looking forward to her contribution. 

Midfield:
Senior Chelsea Libby is considered one of the best crossers of the ball and a talent who tends to be in the right spot at the right time when it comes to finishing in the box.  A fifth year player in the program, Libby has the most experience on the team and will bring her talents to the outside mid position.  Danielle Ritter, who is potentially coming back from an ACL injury and was second team all-conference as a sophomore, will use her speed, scoring ability and versatility to contribute at both defense (outside back), and outside midfield.

Juniors Kari Foreman, Carly Valentine and Caitlin Differding will bring expertise in the center of the park. A hard working team captain with a knack for defensive work and creating opportunities to score, Foreman played outside and moved into center this spring.  Valentine brings a witty, crafty and technical skill set to the game as she makes smart decisions on the ball, while Differding brings a more defensive, hard-tackling mindset to the contest, while at the same time helping to start the attack immediately after the tackle.

Five freshmen will contribute talent and depth to the midfield lineup.  From Calgary, Andrea Baytaluke's club team won the Canadian National Championship last summer.  Jennifer Larsen, an Arizona product, scored 53 goals and 53 assists during her high school career.  Colorado native, Emily Holley, brings athleticism and height into the midfield, while Californian Janae Remsberg will add athleticism and technical ability on the left flank.  Lastly, look for redshirt Jennifer Brookshire to contribute down the road for the Yellowjacket midfield.

Defense:
Junior Lauren Anderson, redshirt freshmen Kelley Minard and Adrienne Biglow will all compete for time at the outside back position.  Anderson stepped up to the left back position last season and brings a wealth of experience in her third year with the team.  Minard is prepared to win a starting spot, while a good preseason camp will also allow Biglow the potential to start.  Closing out the outside back spot is sophomore MyKenzie Deverell, (honorable mention all-conference as a freshman), who will unfortunately need to redshirt this year due to an injury, however Trentham hopes to have her back in the spring.

At center back, juniors Samantha Boehm and Megan Carlson bring experience and depth.  As a team captain, Boehm came off an injury in the second half of last season and turned in a great spring.  Carlson, in her third year, is returning after her season was cut short last fall due to injury, but has played in 15 games over the last two years.  Amy Remsberg, returns for her sophomore campaign after having started 15 games in ‘08.
           
Rounding out the center back position are freshmen Courtney Harvey and Kristen Kastelic.  An all-state player for Billings Senior, Harvey is a solid defender, while Kastelic brings strength, height and ability to win balls in the air. 

Goalkeeper:
Trentham believes the goalkeeper position is improved this year, as Jordan Fenwick provides solid experience in her third year on the job. Furthermore, the addition of junior transfer Danielle Gordon brings the winning combination of good range and diving ability.

Schedule:
The Yellowjackets have prepared a solid non-conference and competitive conference schedule for 2009.  The ability to have strong games early on in the season will give the Jackets an opportunity to prepare for conference play in the truly taxing GNAC conference. 

“We will begin conference play with four road games, which will be a challenge,” Trentham said.  “We will definitely be focusing on playing consistent soccer week in and week out and hopefully putting ourselves in a position to make a run at the GNAC title in late October when we finish the season with four home games.”

The Jackets will face five teams that went to the NCAA tournament last year and six teams that have gone over the past two years.  “A great schedule,” Trentham said regarding the slate of opponents the Yellowjackets will face in their third year in the GNAC.