Women’s soccer eyes upper tier surge in OAC

  Led by Head Coach Mary Beth Caudill, the Muskingum University women's soccer team comes into the 2011 season looking to climb into the upper tier of the Ohio Athletic Conference.

  Leading the group of 13 returning letterwinners is senior captain Christine Ward. Ward provided one goal and one assist from her defensive position last season, and is a threat to score from free kick situations. The three-year starter has played in 54 career games and will be one of the keys to success in the upcoming season.

  Senior captain Heather Wells and senior Emily Preston also return to anchor the defense. Wells has started 46 games during her tenure, while Preston has started 50 contests.

  Junior captain Noelle Kleppel and junior Meghan Carlisle will provide veteran leadership for the Muskies. Kleppel has started 38 games and has tallied three goals. Carlisle, who has started 36 games with six goals, will use her speed on the defensive side of the ball this season to help generate the attack from the backline.

  Sophomores Kaitlyn Matz, Sophia Liva, Raven Francis, Sarah Linn and Mallorie Sutter also return after successful freshmen seasons.

  Matz, who played in all 19 games, led the team in scoring with five goals and two assists. Liva started all 19 outings and Francis added two assists in 16 starts. Linn saw action in all 19 games with nine starts and Sutter played in 18 contests with five starts.

  Senior keeper Sarah Poling returns after coming back to the pitch midway through the 2010 season after two years of injuries. She started 12 games and recorded 75 saves.

  Adding to the depth of the Muskies will be sophomore Maddie Schultz and senior Jaime Suhre. Schultz played in 12 contests and Suhre saw action in three.

  With the return of a solid core of talented players, and the influx of a blue-chip recruiting class, the Muskies have a vision of success for the 2011 campaign.