by Ryan Allen
Arts & Entertainment Editor
With a squad of seven freshmen, five sophomores, and one junior and senior, one would think that the University of La Verne women’s soccer team would be looking ahead a couple of years before they would expect to win a conference title.
This is not the case, however, this year their goal is to take it one game at a time and eventually win the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship.
The Leopards are starting six freshmen alongside their returners who, head coach Wendy Zwissler said, “are all key returners, because we need everyone of them.”
ULV returns sophomore defender Cara Forrest, sophomore midfielder and Far West All-Star first team selection Katie Zwissler, second team All-SCIAC sophomore forward Rachel Lieberman, sophomore defender Robin Haaker, junior forward Deanna Kodama, and senior defender Alicia Raygoza.
The remaining eight girls on the team are comprised of seven freshmen and a sophomore who make the core of the team very young.
This does not bother coach Zwissler, who said, “They worked hard during the summer when they came into camp this year they were in real good shape, which makes it easier for us.”
The women’s soccer team lost some players from last year to injury and disinterest, but this year,” said Wendy Zwissler. “Their dedication is awesome, their skills are awesome, now we just need to build their experience up to the same level.”
A key position for the Leopards this year is their goal keeper, Kim Schrepfer, who, although she is a freshman, comes in with experience.
The ULV coaches plan to scout all their opponents and adjust their offense and/or defense accordingly, which shows the versatility of this 1998 women’s soccer team.
La Verne will face its normal conference competition and expect Cal Lutheran to continue to be the foe the women must overcome for the conference title.
ULV won its season opener against Wheaton College (3-2), from Massachusetts but lost its next two games in Oregon to George Fox (0-1) and Concordia (0-2), respectively.
In both losses, the Leopards were on their opponents’ defensive third for more than 60 minutes of the 90-minute affairs. But ULV could not finish to score a goal.
The Leopards open SCIAC on the road against the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas tomorrow at 11 a.m.
A year ago, ULV was 12-4 overall but failed to qualify for the playoffs in the Western Region, as Cal Lutheran and UC San Diego were selected ahead of the Leopards.
La Verne continues conference play Wednesday when it travels to Redlands for a 4 p.m. kickoff, and Sept. 26, ULV goes to Cal Lutheran for an 11 a.m start.
The Leopards return to Ben Hines Field on Sept. 29 to host Pomona-Pitzer at 4 p.m. After playing in Eagle Rock against Occidental on Oct. 3 at 11 a.m., La Verne returns home Oct. 7 and plays Whittier at 7 p.m.
