Women's Soccer Set To Open 2007 Season Friday

August 30, 2007 | Women's Soccer

Aug. 30, 2007

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Coming off of the most successful season in school history, the University of Louisville women's soccer team will open the 2007 season at the Boilermaker Challenge Cup on Friday when they face Loyola(IL) at 5:30 p.m. in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The Cardinals will face homestanding Purdue at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

U of L, who advanced to the NCAA's for the first time in school history last season, are under the direction of Head Coach Karen Ferguson, who is the winningest coach in school history.

Including the first two opponents, the Cards will face 10 teams that competed in the 2006 NCAA Championship over the course of its 20-game slate.

"Our 2007 schedule is extremely challenging and it is exactly what our program is in search of as we continue to build on the success we saw last year," said Ferguson, who embarks on her eighth season with the Cards.

Ferguson's success in the Ville has been largely based on defense, and 2007 should be no different, beginning with All-American goalkeeper Joanna Haig in net.

The senior from Minnesota now has a year at Louisville under her belt, and carries a streak of 376 minutes of soccer without allowing a goal into the beginning of the season. She established a school record with her 0.49 GAA and posted eight shutouts for the season, tying the single season school record, despite not playing in the first four matches of the season.

Her off-season included stints with the US Soccer under 21 National Team in Carson, California and Birmingham at the 2007 International Soccer Festival.

Sophomore Katie Zoeller and freshman Katie Kuric add depth between the pipes.

In front of Haig will be juniors Jessica Mello and All-Region honoree Mallory Lampson. The pair have been on the field for all 39 matches during their career and helped the Cards to an 0.47 GAA last season.

Freshman All-Region selection Sara Scharoun, versatile senior Erica Robinson and sophomore Katie Owen will bring solid experience to the back line.

Newcomers Shannon Leamy and Meredith Tolley will also vie for time on defense.

The Cardinals will have the benefit of senior Monique Gjini returning to the midfield where she was named All-Region and All-BIG EAST seconds team in 2006 and 2007 Preseason All-Conference. Her 17 career assists is just two shy of the Cardinal standard, and she was second on the team in goals (5) and points (17), while her seven helpers last season was also second in school history.

Joining Gjini will be fellow senior Laura Walker, sophomore Lindsay Boling and newcomers Kate Cunningham, Erin Davis, Emily Prokopik and Chelsea Spencer.

Up top, senior Jen Avila will try and put together an entire season like the stretch in 2006 that saw her score all five of her goals in a scorching seven game span.

Shannon Smyth, who spent a portion of the preseason at the World University Games with the Irish national Team mix some experience in with freshmen Caitlin Rehder, Kelsey Hunyadi and Caley Egan, who should see time at forward.

Ferguson will look to former MLS keeper and BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Kyle Singer and former Canadian National Team member Carmelina Moscato to fill out her coaching staff.

The Cardinals split their two exhibition matches this season, falling 1-0 to NCAA qualifier Tennessee in Knoxville and defeating Nebraska 2-0 in the Fourth Annual Jenna Cooper Memorial Match at Cardinal Park.

Louisville will open the home portion of the schedule on September 9 against Butler at 1:00 in Cardinal Park. Season tickets are available by calling 502.852.5151.