YSU soccer eyes new heights

Special to The Vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN

As the Youngstown State soccer program embarks on its 15th season, second-year head coach Will Lemke hopes the combination of veteran leadership and a profusion of newcomers will help the Penguins reach new heights.

Last season, the Penguins set a school record for most ties and most overtime games and had the first all-league performer in three seasons.

This year, Lemke will be charged with merging 10 returners and 12 newcomers into one cohesive unit.

“Getting everyone into the mix and bringing them all together is an important goal for us,” Lemke said. “We want to develop a new team identity and create a new culture.

“This team is very coachable, which is a positive because many spots are open and there is going to be a lot of competition.”

Lemke also feels his squad is deeper with better balance, roster composition and speed.

“We have players in positions that they are suited to play,” Lemke said. “I think we are more athletic and this team will be closer and a tight-knit group.”

Forwards

The Penguins’ front line lost some of its scoring punch from last season, but returns a pair of strikers with more than two years of experience in senior Lauren Brennan and junior Geneva Strelka.

Brennan, who played defender much of last season, scored two goals and assisted on another a year ago.

She ranks third in school history with 14 career goals. Her eight goals during the 2007 season is tied for third on the single-season list.

Strelka tied Brennan for second on the team in goals and points with two goals and an assist. Strelka has five career goals.

“Our forwards are improving everyday,” Lemke said. “The players are really connecting and complementing one another. They are playing aggressive and together.”

Joining Brennan and Strelka up front are freshmen Taylor Gapczynski, Allison Ludwig and Rachel Morrison.

Midfielders

As in past seasons, midfield will be the team’s deepest position with 10 players in that slot on the roster.

The Penguins have four voids to fill after losing Kate Bonn, Rochelle Boone, Natalie Brady and Jordan Gapczynski.

Lemke is anticipating redshirt freshman Cori Stark will anchor the center midfield with junior Kelly Storkel, sophomore Shelby Parks and newcomers Heather Coonfare, Shawny Ehlers, Brittany Hayes, Aliesha Sharpe and Kearsten Sego shoring up the outside.

Stark, who played in just six games last season due to a concussion, was all-state as a senior and finished her career as Belle Vernon High School’s all-time leader with 124 goals and 53 assists.

Storkel has already earned two letters with the Penguins and tallied an assist against Butler last year.

Hayes, from La Crescent, Minn., sat out last season after transferring from Winona State. She set her high school’s career record for goals scored with 98.

Parks, who had one assist last season, appeared in 12 games and started once.

Sharpe, who played at Mount Union in 2009, scored one goal in 19 games with the Purple Raiders.

Gapczynski may also see time in the midfield as well.

Defenders

Arguably the strongest area is in the defensive backfield with three starters returning from last season in junior Kelsey Kempton and sophomores Brittany Dowd and Katie Peterlin.

“I think our backfield is a very talented one,” Lemke said. “We added size, strength and speed, and are much more experienced and deeper.”

Kempton, a two-year starter, was named to the 2008 Horizon League All-Newcomer Team and has started 37 straight matches.

Dowd, who appeared and started in nine games, missed half of the season due to a back injury.

Peterlin started all 17 games last season and may split time at a midfielder position.

Newcomers Shawny Ehlers, Amanda Johnson and Taylor Sebring are also expected to compete for time in the backfield.

Goalkeepers

The Penguins lost one of the best keepers in school history with the graduation of Mariah Snyder, but still have an experienced keeper in junior Nicole Kline.

Last season, Kline started seven times, collected 37 saves and went 2-4-1.

Joining Kline at goalkeeper is freshman Ali Viola, who is a five-time world champion in continuous fighting. Kline helped Norwin High School to a state semifinal appearance and was an all-district performer.

“Nicole has improved dramatically,” Lemke said. “Our keepers have been training intensely and it will be a strong, open competition.”