The Roanoke College women's soccer team closed out the 2012 season on an early exit from the ODAC Tournament, falling in penalty kicks 4-2 to Bridgewater College.� Head Coach Phil Benne, who enters his 25th year leading the women's soccer team, is looking for the Maroons to get back to the top of the ODAC in 2013.� However, he says that it will take a little confidence building after graduating seven seniors last year.
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"Our goal is a top three finish to secure a home game in the first round of the ODAC Tournament," Benne started.� "However, gaining confidence will be key.� With so many starters gone, as well as many new faces, we will be a different team than last year."
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The senior class that graduated in 2013 included Roanoke's top four scorers, and all seven seniors combined for 40 or the Maroons 50 goals last season.� They also put together 26 of the squad's 32 assists.
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But, the Maroons do have a strong set of players returning for the 2013 season.� Team captains, Maya Kantor, Kara Kapell and Kristyn Brogan will lead a young team.��� Kantor and Brogan will be strong forces on the defensive end of the ball, while Kapell will lead the midfield.� In goal for the Maroons this season will be third year starter Carolyn Sarbacher, who started all 19 games she played last season, and posted three shutouts.
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"Sophomores Nathalie Torres and Ashley Barnes look to control the midfield for us this year," Benne said.� "They gained valuable experience in 2012 as freshmen on this squad."
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Also helping the defensive side of the ball will be Heather Reynolds and Sara Dorrance, who both have experience in the back field.� Combine the returning players with the 10 freshmen and two transfers that join the team this year, and Benne believes that they have come to perform at a high level.
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"Our freshmen and transfers will be vying to make an immediate impact after the departure of our seven starters from 2012," Benne stated.� "We hope to be a faster, quicker team as a whole."
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The Maroons will get to test out their new lineup early and often in front of the Roanoke faithful, as they play their first four games at Kerr Stadium.� The team will host the Roanoke Invitational on August 31 � September 1, and will take on Birmingham Southern and Salisbury, respectively.� These two teams combined for a record of 23-11-3 last season, and Benne says it will be a tough start for the Maroons.
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"Our tournament will provide a good challenge for our team this year," Benne said.� "With Birmingham-Southern and Salisbury, this will be an important weekend to play well and gain confidence."
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The Maroons continue their home stand against Averett University and Christopher Newport University.� The Cougars won the USA South title in 2012, defeating the Captains to enter the NCAA Tournament.
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Roanoke takes a break from non-conference action to battle Lynchburg College in the Maroons ODAC opener.� Lynchburg defeated the Maroons in the ODAC Tournament in 2012 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
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After one more non-conference game against Sewanee, the Maroons will finish the rest of their season with 11 straight ODAC games.� Roanoke's home ODAC contests include Shenandoah, Sweet Briar, Virginia Wesleyan, Emory & Henry, Hollins and Eastern Mennonite.� Virginia Wesleyan was the top team at the end of the ODAC regular season going 11-0-1 in conference matchups.
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Roanoke will play most of the top part of the 2012 ODAC table on the road this season, starting with Washington and Lee as the first contest of the 11 game ODAC stretch.� That contest is scheduled for September 24th with a 4:00 PM start.
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When asked about what would make a successful season in 2013, Benne said, "We want to go through the process of the season and continue to improve.� If we play well, results will come."
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Roanoke's home opener will be Saturday, August 31st as they host the Roanoke Invitational at Kerr Stadium.� The Maroons will first play Birmingham-Southern with a 12:00 PM start.
