ELON, NC -- The Phoenix enters the 2002 campaign with the goal of returning to the Big South Conference championship game for a fourth consecutive season. Webster is confident that this unit is one of Elon’s most athletic teams as it possesses a combination of speed and strength that has not been available in recent years. He believes that the team is also more tactically sophisticated to deal with the demands of playing at the Division I level.
The squad is bolstered by the return of offensive standouts Kate Schabo (four goals, four assists in 2001) and Laura Fogg (two goals, two assists), midfield playmakers Jessica Mills (four goals, one assist) and Natalie Sampson (two assists), speedy wide attackers Erin Gaeng (one goal, three assists) and Vicki Robella (one goal, two assists) and the defensive corp of juniors Marlo Wooden (started 17 games), Denise Rogers (one goal), Angela Beckett (one assist) and upstart sophomore Shelley Stenzel (three assists). Mills is a two-time all-conference selection and Wooden was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player last season. Sophomore Kara Zagol (1,673 minutes, 1.24 GAA), last year’s starter, and senior Beth O’Connor will anchor the goalkeeping position. Webster expects a major contribution from sophomore Kelly Williams who has recovered from last year’s season-ending injury. This group shows the ability to attack and defend in a variety of ways which should enable the Phoenix to reach its always lofty expectations.
To offset the loss of four key members of the 2001 team, Elon adds at least eight new players in 2002. From this talented group that represents six states, Webster anticipates immediate contributions from Kerry McCarron (Ashland, OH), Gillian Murray (Cranford, NJ), Emily Chesney (Maryville, TN) and Lindsi Troxler (Brown Summit, NC).
Elon faces another grueling schedule in 2002. In addition to the always challenging Big South Conference slate, the Phoenix will square off against Wake Forest, Jacksonville, South Florida, Georgetown, Davidson, East Carolina and UNC Wilmington. Webster hopes that this schedule will help him guide the squad back to the NCAA Collegiate Cup.
--ELON--
