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Sep 3, 2009

Season Preview: Women's Soccer set to kick-off season, begin new chapter

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Gallaudet University women's soccer team knows last season didn't end the way they wanted and the hill they have to climb in 2009 will be steep but it is a climb they are prepared to make together. The Bison kick-off the '09 season on Friday with a non-conference game against Washington Adventist University (formerly known as Columbia Union).

"I am excited to get this season underway. I worked hard in recruiting this past year to bring in a great group of young women," said GU coach Sarah Gumina, who enters her second straight year at the helm and third overall (head coach in 2002).

"The expectations this year are set high because this group is committed to working hard, not giving up, and they want to be successful. I am expecting the veterans of the group to take a leadership role in showing this young team the ropes of what it takes to play at a collegiate level."

OFFENSE
Upfront the Bison will look to create goals through a handful of their veteran returners highlighted by senior forward Samantha Bulewich and junior forward Virginia Keeler.

"Bulewich worked hard last year to create scoring opportunities for us. With her determination on making this team successful, she will play a vital role on and off the field," said Gumina.

Keeler and freshman forward Shaquana McDonough will miss the start of the season (five games) as the pair represents the United States of America in the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei.

"Upon Keeler's and McDonough's return in mid-September I am looking for an immediate impact on the field," said Gumina. "I am looking for Keeler to be more creative in her style of play and to make more things happen in the offensive zone."

DEFENSE
There will be a new look on defense for the Bison in '09. This is a young unit for Gallaudet as an influx of new players will have to come together quickly to form a strong bond and play good defense.

"We are playing a new defensive system this year and with only two returners in the defense, it will be a challenge, but they are ready to take on whatever it takes to win games," said Gumina.

One of the key leaders back on defense is senior defender Nora Torres.

"Nora has played four years at Gallaudet, two years under me, and she knows what I am looking for. She has a great deal of speed in the defensive line and I am looking for her to become a leader of the defense," said Gumina.

The goalkeeper position will be led by freshman Kara Gulvas while junior Casey McCullough and freshman Maggie Hoyt serve in a back-up role.

SCHEDULE
The Bison will play their final season in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) this fall before Gallaudet switches to the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) next year. Last year the Bison were held winless.

"I believe we will be more competitive with other teams. The team chemistry is still developing and with only two weeks of practice, we are beginning to learn each other's style of play," said Gumina.

GU will begin the season on the road in the state of Maryland against Washington Adventist University (formerly known as Columbia Union) on Friday, September 4, and then a trip to Frederick, Md., on Sunday to begin CAC play against Hood College. The following weekend the Bison will host their first-ever tournament where Gallaudet will play against Patrick Henry and Valley Forge Christian. Gallaudet will then host four consecutive home games before the Bison enter into the bulk of their conference schedule.  GU will face Penn State-Harrisburg, a NEAC program, at home on October 17. The following week the Bison will host Lincoln University (Division II) at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, as part of Homecoming weekend. The regular-season schedule concludes on October 29 with a home game against Marymount (Va.) University.

"Our schedule will be competitive this year, not only within our conference, but non-conference play as well," said Gumina. "I am confident in the team we have this year. We have a young group who are very committed to this team and want to succeed and my job is to give them the tools to do so."

SUMMARY
The GU women's soccer program is set to begin a new chapter in 2009 and with a strong core of veterans back from last year and a fresh batch of players entering the program this year the sky is the limit for the Bison.

"I think fans will be pleasantly surprised this year, we are not the same team as last year," said Gumina. "We are asking for everyone's support. Come and see what's new with the GU women's soccer team this year!"

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