Aug. 14, 2008

Dayton, Ohio - The 2008 edition of the Flyers has the same goals that every Mike Tucker-coached team has had in his 13 years at Dayton - win the Atlantic 10 Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament. During his tenure his teams have captured 13 A-10 titles (eight regular season and five tournament) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament five times.

"We want make sure that everything we do as coaches, everything we do as a team, and as players is built towards us working for and with each other," said Tucker, the only active A-10 women's soccer coach with more than 100 conference wins. "My expectation is for all of us to work as hard as we can to reach those goals."

The Flyers return seven starters and 17 letter winners from a UD team which posted an overall record of 13-4-4 and advanced to the A-10 tournament for the 11th consecutive season last year.

Forwards
Tucker returns a quick, skillful and talented arsenal up top, plus he has added some reinforcements. Junior Mandi Back (14g, 2a), the 2007 A-10 Offensive Player of the Year, split time at midfield and forward last season, but will spend the majority of her time at forward this season. The two-time All-Conference first-team honoree enters her junior campaign with career totals of 21 goals, four assists and 46 points.

"I expect her to have a big year. Mandi understands the game and she gets herself in a position to finish," said Tucker. "She can take people on, is an excellent 1v1 attacker and can score in a variety of ways. Mandi is good with both feet. Plus, she's quick and has a good change of pace."

Senior co-captain Amanda Gallow (2g, 1a) is a speedy attacking forward who can fly down the flanks and presents opponents matchup problems.

"Without a doubt she is the most fit player on the team. She is a dedicated, attacking player who works hard at her finish," said Tucker. "As an attacking player she is a great defender as well and transitions well."

Juniors Lauren MacCormick and Caitlin Proffitt (3g, 1a) provide two more threats up top with two different dynamic styles of play.

"Lauren did a really nice job for us as a target forward," said Tucker. "She receives and holds up the ball well. She doesn't give the ball away at all. We try to get her to turn and go to goal and when she makes that improvement, she's going to be a lot more dangerous and is certainly capable of more goals and assists."

"Caitlin has had moments of brilliance. Now that she is a junior we expect her to be more consistent in her play and she can score a lot of goals for us," added Tucker. "She has no fear going to goal and she'll take people on. She's scored some huge goals already for us in her first two years

Sophomore Kelly Blumenschein (2g, 3a), an A-10 All-Rookie Team selection, played defender last year. This season she will be moved to her natural position at forward.

"She's always been an attacking player. Last year was first as a defender and she did a great job," said Tucker. "She has great awareness, is a very accurate passer and the ideal attacking player."

Incoming freshmen Brittany Persaud and Katie Griffin are also expected to contribute, offensively.

"Brittany has a cannon of a shot and I expect she'll score several goals for us," said Tucker. "Katie scored a ton of goals in high school and we hope she continues that here."

Midfielders
The midfielders are a very versatile group with players who are capable of playing up top or in the back. Redshirt sophomore Cara Cornacchia (1g, 0a) is very technical attacking midfield player. Junior Colleen Gibson (2g, 3a) joins her on the attack and adds a great dynamic.

"Cara's strength is finding people. She's good at bending a ball and her touch on passes is good. She came on towards the middle of last year and really became a factor," said Tucker. "Colleen runs around like crazy, she is great on the ball and had fantastic technical abilities. She is one of the most feared attacking players in the league."

Senior co-captain Kim Sacher has played all over the field for the Flyers and this season she will back to her natural role as an attacking midfielder.

"Kim has good speed, good pace and is good with both feet," said Tucker. "She is excited about stepping up in more of an attacking role."

Sophomore Tori Oelschlager started 17 games last season as a defensive midfielder.

"She is a tough tackler and a solid player who is very technical and we expect big things from her," said Tucker.

Sophomore Lindy Barber and junior Emily Miller can be utilized as attacking or defensive midfielders.

"Lindy has high energy and a great work rate," said Tucker. "

"Emily Miller is very strong and can win balls, but she is also good technically - just solid in every aspect of the game. It's her time to step up as she is as healthy as she's ever been."

Incoming freshmen Josie Grant, Emily Kenyon and Kelsey Owen could make immediate impacts, even if not in the midfield.

"Josie can play anywhere. I see her playing wide in the back or in the midfield. She's an exciting player who can attack goal but she can step in and play in the back if we need her there," said Tucker. "

Emily Kenyon is a smart player who gets herself in the right position, wins balls and sprays them around. She'll be in the mix.

Kelsey Owen comes from great experience at the club level. Her team won two national championships and she was a big part of it," added Tucker. "She is a player who gets herself in a position to finish and almost always does. She is a big attacking threat for us."

Defenders
The defensive third will be patrolled by senior co-captain Steph Wurth, a three-year starting center back. She provides a strong core to a solid line of defense for the Flyers.

"Steph is a very good organizer of her team. She is good at winning balls and getting forward. She's done a nice job for three years," said Tucker. "I've always started by having a great defense and to have someone with that experience is crucial. We are very solid in the middle of the back."

Sophomore Jerica DeWolfe played in 20 games with 14 starts last year, mostly as a right back. Junior Eileen Hughes played in 15 games with two starts on the left side.

"Jerica did a great job on defense, and was not afraid of moving up to play in the midfield," said Tucker. "She strikes a fantastic ball on free kicks. She is also very solid in the back."

"Eileen is very strong and comfortable with her left foot," added Tucker. "She has two years of experience, is comfortable and she will be a factor on the left side."

Also returning wide in the back is sophomore Ali Giner, who registered time in 17 games with two starts.

"She played that position towards the end of the spring and did a great job," said Tucker. "She is fast and she's tough and not afraid to get physical. She is also very comfortable coming forward."

Freshmen Kathleen Beljan, Hanna Griffin and Kelsey Miller are also going to make impacts and be in the mix for playing time in the back.

"Kathleen is a left-sided player who is very fast and capable of going forward," said Tucker. "Hanna is a good-sized, speedy, athletic player and comfortable on the left and right.

"Kelsey is a very exciting defensive player," added Tucker. "She has good size and she recognizes the game well."

Goalkeepers
The Flyers lose the 2007 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year with the graduation of Niki Reed, but have two returners at goalkeeper; senior Deana Waintraub, who played two seasons at Louisville, and sophomore Lisa Rodgers.

"We're very comfortable with the two goalkeepers we have coming back," said Tucker. "Deana has played at a very high level. She is very technically solid, with great size and there is nothing she can't do well."

"Lisa did a fantastic job in spring," he added. "Both are extremely hard workers. They care about the team winning and they push each other in training."

Tucker's Coaching Style
"I've always believed in attacking with 11 players and defending with 11 players. We're a high-energy team, but I don't like to give the ball away. We're going to possess the ball, but move forward when the opportunity presents itself. We've always been known as a team that does little things well. We have to do that to be successful."

Coaching Staff
Coach Tucker's coaching staff includes Sergio Gonzalez, Tania Armellino, Mark Thobe and George Demetriades. Gonzalez primarily works with the goalkeepers, while Armellino's specialty is defense. Demetriades is in his 12th season as a volunteer for the women's soccer team. Thobe is the Flyers' strength and conditioning coach.

"Sergio is our goalkeeper trainer, but he also works with the entire team. He does a great job in all phases of what we're doing here," said Tucker. "Coach Demetriades is referred to as grandpa. Coach D is the eyes for us. He observes and picks up on little things. He is good at picking people up."

"Tania has a great personality and relates well to the players. It's wonderful to have a former player who performed at a big-time level," added Tucker. "The work that Mark does is essential to our athletes staying healthy and having that competitive edge."

2008 Schedule
The 2008 schedule includes games against Big East opponents Pittsburgh and Rutgers (Armellino's alma mater), ACC opponent Duke, and matches against the Big Ten conference's Indiana and Michigan.

"We've got tough game after tough game. We try to design the schedule so that it is going to prepare us for the league season," said Tucker. "This year we have some marquee games and some great local matchups. It's exciting to go out and play great competition every game. We have to be on our toes and be ready to play 20 matches for sure."