The Monmouth College women's soccer team begins the 1997 fall season with two simple goals -- build upon present momentum and learn from past experiences. Coach Simon Cordery will attempt to accomplish these goals with the largest squad in the brief four-year history of the program and has high hopes of molding a competitive, balanced team which will challenge the traditionally stronger programs in the Midwest Conference.

Following two seasons of "growing pains" the women's soccer team won its first regular-season and first MWC league matches last fall. The Fighting Scots posted a 3-12-1 season record and finished 2-8 in divisional matches (5th place, MWC South). Cordery expects no fewer than 25 women, including a core group of 14 returning players, to battle for playing time this fall. With only two seniors and a handful of juniors on the preseason roster, the team will once again count on a promising group of freshman women to contribute their talents and prep experience. The mix of veteran athletes and first-year players provides an optimistic foundation for the new season, which will hopefully witness the continued growth and development of the program.

Co-captains Valeria Orozco (Des Plaines,IL/Maine East) and Tisha Kimoto (Aurora,IL/Waubonsie Valley) return to anchor the midfield. Orozco, one of the squad's two seniors, will be the team's vocal leader on the field while Kimoto (team-high 5 goals in 1996) will be one of the offensive threats. The junior has tallied 9 goals in her first two seasons on her way to consecutive All-Conference South Division honors. The new class includes several midfield candidates, including freshmen Bethany Bresley (Mundelein,IL/Mundelein), Kimberly Morris (Crystal Lake,IL/CL Central) and Keri Kling (Harvard,IL/Harvard).

Sophomore All-Conference forward Jill Heneghan (Godfrey,IL/Alton) added 4 goals and 4 assists in 1996 and will be another scoring threat for the Scots. Junior Jennifer McKee (Stockton,IL/Stockton), who scored two goals in a late-season MWC victory over Illinois College last fall, will be among those vying for one of the starting striker positions opposite Heneghan. Jennifer Carter (Big Rock,IL/Hinckley-Big Rock) and Jessica Adams (Harvard,IL/Harvard) lead the freshman charge and will provide the Scots with much-needed depth at forward.

Junior Laura Haiduke (Roselle,IL/Lake Park) was Monmouth's third All-Conference selection last year and returns as the top defender in the Scots' backfield. Sophomore Julie Kahl (Crystal Lake,IL/CL Central) brings superior speed and quickness to the defense, which must develop into one of the stronger aspects of the team to produce a successful season. In the nets Cordery welcomes sophomore Colleen Shaughnessy (Springfield,IL/Ursuline Academy) as the preseason starter at goalkeeper but will also take a close look at junior Erin Hook (Vernon Hills,IL/Woodlands Academy) and several potential freshman goalies.