Experienced, Healthier Wolves Will be Better in 2006

Salem-News.com Sports

SALEM - 22 healthy players began workouts for the Western Oregon women’s soccer team in mid-August 2006, and if that sounds like a routine beginning than you weren’t around for the 2005 finale of the Wolves season.

WOU’s bench often had more players in street clothes than in uniform when the Wolves battled to an 8-12 overall record and a 5-7 finish in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. More than once, only one or two bench players were available to coach Rod Fretz, and that is a recipe for disaster in the rough and tumble world of collegiate soccer.

“Last year, we had three or four players tabbed to be starters that saw limited time because of injuries,” Fretz recalled. “Our depth took a pounding and left us very shorthanded for what seemed like most of the season.”

Things should be different for the Wolves this season, with 13 letter winners and eight starters returning, all of them healthy as the year began.

“We will be much stronger this year,” Fretz said. “We will be much deeper with a good mix of veterans and a few newcomers that will step in and play right away.”

That will be a nice change from 2005, and that is not the only way the Wolves are bolstering their forces this fall. Fretz, WOU’s only head coach since the program began in 1996, will share co-head coaching duties with long-time assistant Kevin Plechl this season. Both will have the title of co-Head Coach.

“Kevin has progressively taken on more and more of the responsibilities in all areas of our program,” Fretz explained. “He plans the daily practice sessions and runs the majority of the on-field training. Because of some family matters, I may be away from the team from time to time, and this only makes sense to give Kevin the title to go with his added responsibilities.”

Fretz and Plechl will have plenty of talent to work with. Among the returnees are WOU’s top four scorers from 2005 and goalkeeper Ally Meyer (5-6, Jr., Portland, Ore./Central Catholic HS), who split duties in the net last year with Amanda Nelson.

Erica Hibbard (5-6, Jr., Vancouver, Wash./Hudson’s Bay HS), a first team All-GNAC selection, was among the top scorers, netting three goals on just 10 shot opportunities, despite playing in the back. Meyer had a 2.79 GAA in the net.

“I think that Erica is one of the top players in the GNAC,” Fretz said.

Two other players were honorable mention all-conference selections – midfielder Lisa Munyon (5-4, Sr., Medford, Ore./North Medford HS), who led the team in scoring with four goals, including two-game winners and 10 points, and forward Amy Weberg (5-6, Sr., Ridgefield, Wash./Skyview HS), who finished second with seven points (3 goals, one assist).

Other returning starters include forwards Aly Reamer (5-7, So., Portland, Ore./Franklin HS), who had two goals and an assist, Amber Thronas (5-1, Jr., Lihue, Hawaii/Kauai HS) and defenders Kristin Werhane (5-2, So., Beaverton, Ore./Southridge HS), Maggie Kuzmer (5-5, So., Vancouver, Wash./Columbia River HS) and Bryndle Rueck (5-5, So., Portland, Ore./Franklin HS).

“It is nice to have seniors like Munyon and Weberg to lead our attack,” Fretz continued. “Along with Meyer and our other experienced underclassmen, we have the leadership necessary to move the team in the right direction.”

Four other players also will provide experience to the WOU lineup.

Defender Lisa Pike (5-5, So., Bend, Ore.) played in 19 games in 2004 before redshirting last year while defender-midfielder Chelsea Glavin (5-5, Sr., Vancouver, Wash./Heritage HS/Clark College), defender Chelsi King (5-7, So., Portland, Ore.St. Mary’s) and defender-midfielder Liorah Riutzel (5-6, Jr., Lebanon, Ore./Portland State) all earned letters last season.

Some talented newcomers will also give a boost to WOU’s program.

Among the top additions include forward-midfielder Kylee Krous (5-5, Fr., Vancouver, Wash./Hudson’s Bay HS), midfielder Sarah Skotte (5-8, Fr., Bend, Ore./Mountain View HS) and forward-midfielder Claire Pendleton (5-4, Fr., Canby, Ore.).

Krous was a first team Greater St. Helen's League pick at Hudson's Bay. She was a four-year starter, and also starred for three seasons with the Columbia Premiere Soccer Club.

Skotte was the Intermountain League Player-of-the-Year while at Mountain View. The midfielder was a second team all-state selection (4A) and a team captain for two seasons. In addition, she was a starter on the Oregon Olympic Development team from 2002-04.

Pendleton was a first team All-Pac 9 pick at Canby.

Of course, the Wolves will have their hands full in the talented and ever improving GNAC. WOU will also play a tough non-conference slate that includes their opener on August 26 at home against Sonoma State (1 pm). They will also tussle with Chico State and Simon Fraser in tough battles outside of GNAC play.

In addition, the Wolves will begin conference play on Sept. 13 against five-time defending champion Seattle Pacific, who is also the pre-season pick to win the GNAC again this year.

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