1999 Season Holds New Challenges
The 1999 season holds new challenges for the University of Miami women’s soccer program. In its second season, UM will start play in the competitive BIG EAST Conference. Last year, the Hurricanes enjoyed much success during their inaugural season playing a regionally dominated schedule. Miami posted an 11-7-1 overall record, including wins over established programs from Florida State, Kansas, Iowa and Florida International.
Returning are leading goal and point scorer Jenny Sanchez, assists leader and 1998 “first-year” programs National Player of the Year Nina Wathne, plus top-defender Deidre Bass, who was also honored as a “first-year” program second team selection.
Joining the team this season are a number of talented freshman with all-state and MVP honors, plus three sophomore transfers with top-collegiate experience
The Hurricanes second recruiting class, which garnered a No. 10 national rating by Soccer Buzz, are led by its four transfers in midfielder/forward Alexis MacKenzie (Florida), midfielder Jordan Sims (Florida State) and goalkeepers Elizabeth Swinson (LSU) and Anna Gmeinder (Hawaii Pacific). The highly regarded freshmen are Jessica Cates-Bristol, Kathryn Clifford, Mattie Gallagher, Lisa Gomez, Samantha Hernandez, Allison McWhinney and sisters Ashley and Laura West.
The Hurricanes soccer schedule for 1999 is most favorable as 12 of the 19 scheduled matches take place at the brand-new Cobb Stadium for Soccer, Track and Field on Miami’s Coral Gables campus. Different from last season’s schedule, is the addition of eight BIG EAST opponents: Boston College, Connecticut, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Providence, St. John’s, Syracuse and West Virginia. In addition, UM’s 1999 non-conference schedule is highlighted with Florida State, Central Florida, Harvard and Lynn.
Forwards
The Hurricanes return one of their top players in sophomore forward Jennifer Sanchez. Last season, Sanchez led all players with 27 points, including 11 goals. Joining Sanchez at forward will be newcomers Alexis MacKenzie and Allison McWhinney, as well as ’98 top reserve Brooke Posner.
Mackenzie, the 1997-98 Florida High School Player of the Year at nearby St. Thomas Aquinas, was part of the University of Florida’s national championship team last season as a freshman. She appeared in 11 contests scoring one goal against Ole Miss and an assist against Mississippi State.
McWhinney, a freshman striker, is a six-year veteran of the Olympic Development Program and is a member of the Region I team. She was a high school all-star on the field as well as earning All-Boston area academic honors.
Adding to the forward position is ’98 top reserve sophomore Brooke Posner. In UM’s inaugural season, Posner appeared in all matches. She finished the season with the second most goals on the team (7) and two assists. Posner led all players with four game winning goals.
Midfielders
Another position that UM returns much experience is in the midfield. Leading the way is senior Nina Wathne, Soccer Buzz’ National Player of the Year for first-year program’s. In ’98, Wathne finished with 23 points, including a team-high 11 assists. Prior to UM, Wathne led Mobile (AL) University to the 1997 NAIA National Championship, while being selected as the NAIA Player of the Year. Other returning veterans are junior Kazmeen Moolchan and sophomores Mehryn Corrigan and Sharon Williams.
Moolchan totaled 14 points in ’98, including seven goals in 19 starts. She placed her name in the NCAA record books when she had the 10th fastest score in sport history with her goal at the 20-second mark of the first half against Kansas.
Williams, who also appeared in every match last season, finished with 12 points on the season. She was second on the team with eight assists, including an assist on six of seven consecutive goals scored against Nova Southeastern, Maine and Iowa
Corrigan was a 19-game starter last year and finished with nine points. She had game winning assists against FIU and Stetson. Corrigan was a former Florida Class 3A Player of the Year at Clearwater Central Catholic.
Competing with the veterans for starting positions will be freshman Laura West and Florida State transfer sophomore Jordan Sims.
West, a member of Texas’ ODP team, was also named to the Dallas Morning News First Team as a senior. In her final season at Allen (TX) High School, West was named to the state championship All-Tournament Team.
Sims appeared in eight games for the Seminoles in ’98. Prior to FSU, she was a five-year member of the Ohio South State Team and played high school at the prestigious Bradenton/Adidas Soccer Academy.
Defenders
Miami’s top returning defender is sophomore Deidre Bass, who was named to Soccer Buzz’ national second team for first-year program’s. Last year, Bass was relied on as the Hurricanes last line of defense. In 19 starts in the backfield, Bass was able to tally one assist against Eckerd. Also returning are senior Alexis Brown-Gelb and sophomore Deirdre “Poppy” Foster. Talented sophomore Jana Escribano is also looking forward to the ’99 season, as she was a medical redshirt last year.
Brown-Gelb, a former member of the school’s club soccer team prior to varsity status, made 16 starts in 18 appearances last year. Prior to UM, Brown-Gelb was an All New York City selection at Bronx Science High School.
Foster started in all 19 games for the UM defense. She had two Hurricane assists in matches against Old Dominion and Jacksonville. While in high school at St. Thomas Aquinas, Foster was part of an undefeated team that won four straight state championships.
Three freshmen newcomers will push the veterans for quality minutes in Ashley West, Samantha Hernandez and Lisa Gomez.
West, sister of teammate Laura, was also part of the Texas State ODP Team. She is an eight-year veteran of the Dallas Sting, known as one of the top club teams in the nation.
Hernandez, who played in high school at local Gulliver Prep, is a veteran of the Florida ODP and a two-time All-Miami Herald selection. Gulliver advanced to the state finals in Hernandez’ senior season.
Gomez, one of UM’s most heralded freshmen signees, was the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel Player of the Year as a senior at Spanish River High School. She led her team to two straight state titles in ’96 and ’97, including the game winning goal in the ’97 final against Douglas High School.
Goalkeepers
1998 goalkeeper and current sophomore Rachel Elsby returns to the net in 1999. After playing every minute of UM’s inaugural season Elsby totaled four shutouts and 84 saves. Her goals against average was an impressive 1.6 per game.
Joining Elsby, will be sophomore transfers Elizabeth Swinson and Anna Gmeinder.
Swinson comes to Coral Gables from Louisiana State University. In Baton Rouge, she started 15 games for the Tigers. Swinson, who played high school soccer at Boca Raton High, totaled 122 saves with four shutouts.
Gmeinder played at Hawaii Pacific as a freshman. She appeared in four matches for the Sea Warriors for a total of 112 minutes.
