Aug. 4, 2008

Contact: Brian McCann

I sat down this morning with Derrek Falor, who is the only head women's soccer coach that Cleveland State has ever had, and talked about the upcoming season.

The players report to campus on Friday (Aug. 9) and Derrek is really excited about the prospects for improving yet again this year.

If you flash back to that August night in 2004 when the program debuted with a 4-0 loss to Kent State, you can see how far the program has come. Heck, that match stands out even more because it was played at Foltz Field in Strongsville because Krenzler Field was shut down to be converted from natural grass to FieldTurf.

Over the last four years, the program has grown an inch at a time.

After a winless season in 2004, CSU recorded its first tie in 2005 and then claimed three wins in 2006. Last year, the Vikings went 5-14-1, didn't finish last in the Horizon League for the first time and won a match in the league championship for the first time ever.

One big reason to expect more improvement this year is taking place every morning and afternoon on Krenzler Field as team captains Jennifer Wieand, Maggie Pugliese and Abbie Kakias are holding Captains' practices for the first time in program history.

The practices started last Friday (Aug. 1) and will continue through Thursday, after which time the Vikings report for preseason and Falor can take over. Until that time, he isn't allowed to be at the practices, but just the fact that they are being held speaks volumes about this year's senior class.

Jennifer, Abbie and Maggie are the lone seniors and they have one big thing in common. Each were part of the original recruiting class for the 2004 season but each have missed a season along the way because of a torn ACL in their knee, making them fifth-year seniors this fall.

For Abbie Kakias, who by the way has spent part of her summer working in the sports information department, she missed that first season. Maggie missed the 2005 campaign after getting hurt in preseason and a summer conditioning mishap put Jennifer out of the lineup in 2006.

I remember Maggie during that first game. She took the field wearing florescent green shoes and proceeded to play her heart out that night, albeit in a losing effort. The shoes are long gone but the effort she gives remains.

All three seniors will play a huge role on the field this year. Maggie and Abbie will start as the two outside defenders while Jennifer, who needs just three points to become the school's career scoring leader, will play at forward.

After reporting on the 9th, the team will play home scrimmages against Ohio Dominican on the 14th and vs. Kent State on the 17th (both at 7:00 p.m.) leading up to the regular season opener against Toledo at 1:00 p.m. on Aug. 24th. Stop by and check out a match.

Tomorrow: Department Notes. . . things have been cluttering my desk that I think you'll like to hear.