| Women’s soccer team off to hot start BY MIKE UNGER
Top: Annette Scott
Bottom: Christina Gonzalez
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It didn’t take long for the AU women’s soccer team to announce its offensive presence with authority. After scoring once in the first half of its opener against Mount St. Mary’s, the Eagles tallied four times in the second half, sending notice that 2006 is going to be an offensive year—and everyone will be getting in on the act. After two more victories, the Eagles were averaging 3.3 goals per game—tops in the Patriot League. Christina Gonzalez scored thrice in the first three games, including twice in AU’s 2-1 victory over George Mason, to earn Patriot League BRINE Offensive Player of the Week honors. Already the senior co-captain from Long Island has tripled her goal-scoring output from last season. “This is the most goals I’ve scored,” Gonzalez said. “It’s just working hard and being in the right place at the right time, finishing my opportunities. I’m very happy and confident.” Over the weekend, the team split two games, defeating East Carolina before dropping its first game of the year to North Carolina State. Coach Michael Brady has been pleasantly surprised by the team’s offensive barrage, but he points to the defense when asked about the key to this season. “We needed to certainly be a little bit more organized defensively [compared to last year],” he said. “My assistant coach, Val Lawrence, has taken on that battle and done a fabulous job. We needed to be a little more confident and aggressive going forward. Katelynn Donovan and Christina have both scored three goals in the three games, which is pretty impressive in the game of soccer.” The Eagles’ defense is anchored by senior goal keeper Alison Doyle. “She was here in D.C. all summer and committed herself to keeping as fit as she could, and that hard work is paying off,” Brady said. “She’s showing more confidence and poise than she’s shown previously, and it’s allowing her to command that position.”
Coach Michael Brady |
AU’s defenders have played well in front of Doyle, allowing just two goals through the first three games. “A returning junior, Annette Scott, has been playing through the first three games with Olivia Heditsian out of St. Louis,” Brady said. “They’ve already forged a bond. Irene Karistinos has returned from a season-ending injury early last year and given us a big boost.” Scattered throughout both the back, middle, and front lines are eight freshmen, many of whom Brady expects to play significant roles. “The upperclassmen know that if they have a letdown they’ll be pushed,” he said. “We look at all of them as legitimate contributors to this program sooner if not later.” Those newcomers will be looking to co-captains Gonzalez and her fellow senior, Meg Runeari, for leadership. “They’ve had such a positive impact on the team,” Brady said. “They’ve really brought the team together. The chemistry on the team right now is at an all-time high, and that’s going to have a huge bearing on the success that we’re ultimately going to enjoy.” |
