Aug. 14, 2007

DAYTON, Ohio -  The University of Dayton women's soccer team has arrived on campus and kicked off preseason practice Tuesday with a morning fitness test, followed by team training in the evening. Head coach Mike Tucker enters his 13th year as the head coach of the Flyers and owns a 172-69-11 overall record. He welcomes 29 players to campus, including eight newcomers.

The Flyers kick-off the 2007 season at Big West Conference members Cal Poly on Friday, Aug. 31 at 10:00 p.m. ET in San Luis Obispo, California.

With the loss of only one senior, the Flyers return nine of their 11 starters and 19 letterwinners from a young 2006 squad that went 8-7-3, finishing in a tie for fifth place in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Seven seniors headline the group, all having contributed greatly since stepping on campus in 2004.

The Flyers return all five of their top scorers from last season, including returning sophomores Mandi Back (7g, 2a) and Caitlin Proffitt (5g, 1a) and will add eight incoming freshmen to the mix.

The 2007 slate is composed of 19 games, nine of which will be played at Baujan Field. The UD women will play 11 A-10 conference games, including 2006 A-10 conference champions Saint Louis. Overall, the Flyers will face four teams that advanced to last year's NCAA Tournament (Saint Louis, Michigan, Loyola Marymount, and Oakland).

"Having the opportunity to play against a top national schedule will allow us to gauge the quality of our squad early on, as well as setting the stage for our difficult A-10 schedule," Tucker said.

OFFENSE
Offense has traditionally been one of Coach Tucker's strongest thresholds. The Flyers return all three starters from the powerful 2006 freshman class. The tandem of Mandi Back, Colleen Gibson, and Caitlin Proffitt combined for 42 percent (14 goals, 5 assists) of the Flyers offensive production in 2006.

"With the maturity of our young forwards and midfielders, look for us to be much more dangerous in the attack in 2007," said Coach Tucker.

Returning up top in the 4-3-3 offense is last year's second-leading scorer, sophomore Caitlin Proffitt. A target player who showcases a lot of speed, Proffitt chipped in five goals along with one assist in 2006. 

Leading the way in the attacking midfield position is Atlantic 10 All-Conference, All-Rookie, and All-Tournament team member Mandi Back. The fast and goal-hungry sophomore led the Flyers in almost all statistical categories in 2006, including goals (seven), points (16), shots (55), and tied for the lead in game-winners (2). Back will look to be even more of a threat to opposing defenses in 2007.

Next to Back in the midfield is Gibson (2g, 2a). A very versatile player, Gibson will also see some time at forward to create some scoring opportunities for the Flyer attack. Also looking to add depth in the midfield is senior Alli Foust (0g, 1a).

On the wing, the Flyers return starter Amanda Gallow (3g, 1a). The junior pre-physical therapy major is an Atlantic 10 All-Academic selection and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Nominee. Her dangerous speed on the outside will be a key to the Dayton offense.

The other wing spot last year was filled by a revolving door of players. Senior Natalia Walters (2g, 0a) was one player in the rotation in 2006. Looking to add some spark to the attack is senior Dara Elk (4g, 2a). Elk was a formidable force last year as she came off the bench to score the game-winner against Duquesne and the game-winning assist against George Washington. Also contributing to the attack will be senior Jen Leslie. After a three-goal year in 2005, Leslie sat out a good portion of 2006 with a serious thigh injury.

After a year of restructuring a center midfield that lost both of its starters in 2005, Tucker has yet to fill the hole in the defensive mid spot. "This is a key position to our success this year. And we certainly have several candidates to fill the role," Tucker said.

"With a few players returning who have experience in the defensive mid area, plus a couple of newcomers recruited to fill that role we expect the competition to be fierce."

Last year sophomore Stephanie Wurth had to step into that role. Now with a year under her belt, Wurth has experience in the crucial commanding spot. Former center mid Kristen Persichini (3g, 0a), who moved to defense last year, returns to the midfield in 2007 to add strength and experience to the center of the field.

New to the middle this year is redshirt freshman Cara Cornacchia, who returns from a knee injury in 2006 to step in and fill the void left behind.

"After being cleared to train this spring Cara showed great technical excellence and tactical awareness," Tucker said.

DEFENSE
Defense is the most integral part of the Flyer squad, highlighted by a back line that recorded five shutouts a year ago. Tucker will look to senior defender Courtney Sirmans (1g, 0a) to provide leadership and experience on the backline. The three-year starter brings a tough and physical aspect to the Flyer defense. Next to Sirmans will be defender redshirt freshman Lauren Maybury. After sitting out in 2006, Maybury is ready after a good spring to bulk up the defensive backfield.

"Lauren trained with the team throughout this past year and she is a top quality defender," Tucker said. "This has enabled us to move Kristen Persichini into the midfield which will add considerable strength to that area."

The defense will be without the likes of former starter junior Kim Sacher (0g, 3a), who will be lost for the season due to an off-season knee injury. Stepping in her place will be senior Abril Carbajal. Carbajal has spent the last three season's at the forward position, but the coaching staff has moved her to defense in the off-season in hopes that she will provide a spark.

"Moving Abril Carbajal into the central defender position this spring seemed to be the catalyst needed to make this unit gel," Tucker said.

Sophomore Eileen Hughes will also be a candidate to fill the defensive spot, as well as Stephanie Wurth and a couple of incoming freshman looking to step up.

Behind the tough defense is the crucial position of goalkeeper. Last year saw three different keepers in between the pipes during the season. Being the deepest position in the Flyers lineup, it's a possibility to see a host of goalkeepers in the net again in 2007.

Highlighting the group is 2005 A-10 All-Conference member Nikki Reed. Reed posted a 1-3-3 overall record in 2006 and posted a GAA of 1.47 in 858 minutes played. Reed scored one goal on two shots last year as she saw some time on the other side of the midfield line. Reed will be challenged by Louisville transfer Deana Waintraub. Waintraub posted a .041 goals against average for the Cardinals just one year ago and was a key figure in the Flyers spring success. Also competing for play will be junior Stacy Chew. Chew (.95 GAA) made two starts last year including a shutout of George Washington in A-10 play.

"Senior Niki Reed has proven over time that she is one of the best in the region. And transfer Deana Waintraub had a strong spring as well. Stacy Chew stepped in last fall and did an admiral job. This is definitely an area of strength, and training should be most competitive." Tucker said.

The women will practice twice a day for the next three days, leading up to an exhibition game with the London City Supernova of Canada at 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 18 at Baujan Field.

Fans can follow a daily preseason journal kept by senior Kristen Persichini on www.DaytonFlyers.com.
Her first update will be posted on Thursday, August 16.