August 16, 2007
Women's Soccer Prepares for 2007 Season
Ten newcomers join nine returners in hopes of defending conference championship

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Methodist head coach Tony Tommasi arrived in Fayetteville just a little over a year ago without having met a single player. Tommasi went on to lead the team to a 2006 USA South Athletic Conference Championship and a NCAA Tournament bid. By the end of the season, the Monarchs ranked fifth in Division III for the most improved record compared to 2005. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Tommasi is excited to blend the newcomers with his returners in search of another championship.

The Monarchs return their top five point scorers from last year's team including USA South Player of the Year, Chrystal Bradley, and USA South Rookie of the Year, Whitney Roberson. Both players broke Methodist records last season while Bradley led the country in scoring with 37 goals on the year. In her final season, Bradley will join senior Brenda Chambers as captains of the 2007 team. Tommasi will count on the leadership of his returners to welcome the newcomers into camp.

Tommasi's large recruiting class in conjunction with key players returning, bodes well for the future of the team. "The recruits will significantly add to our returners in hopes we can defend the conference championship," said Tommasi. While opposing teams are obviously aware of Bradley and Roberson, Michelle Anderson returns for her second season. Ranked third on the team in scoring last year, Anderson was a second team All-Conference player. Ashley Kolano and Erica Nath were key players in the midfield last season registering 37 starts between them.

Senior Marie Finley returns after off-season knee surgery intent on making an impact this year. Senior Christina Layson saw action in every game last year and the team depends on her versatility. Sophomore forward Tina Varnell also returns having scored two goals and an assist against Hollins last season.

Tommasi is still contemplating the team's formation and game personnel. "With Bradley in the midfield and Roberson up top, playing with two or three forwards opens the door for players to seize the moment," said Tommasi. "We have lots of options and flexibility in the midfield, while the backline will be our challenge having lost significant players." Two freshmen goalkeepers will battle for the starting job.

The ten newcomers joining the team this season includes freshman Brianna Cella from Midlothian, Va. A graduate of Midlothian High School, Cella was a three-year varsity starter before being named Second Team All-District during her senior season. A forward, Cella played club soccer with fellow newcomer Kelly Orpin from Fredericksburg, Va. Orpin is a defender who played soccer and participated in track and field at Chancellor High School. She is a two-time team Most Valuable Player, three-time All-District selection and named to the Second Team All-Region. Orpin also excelled in the classroom with a 4.0 grade point average ranked eighth in her class.

Freshman Hevyn Diers joins Kolano as the second New Yorker on the team, originally from Tappan, N.Y. A graduate of Tappan Zee High School, Diers dominated the midfield as a four-year starter. She was a two time All-Section and All-League section before being named Most Valuable Player last season. At the other end of the traveling spectrum, Freshman midfielder/defender Amber Jurkovac is a Fayetteville resident and recent graduate of Pine Forest High School. Jurkovac was a two-sport athlete playing soccer and volleyball. She was named to the All-Conference team and also recognized as a All-Region player and Most Valuable Player.

Emily Stratton and Kasey Nicholas will be contesting for time in goal. Stratton is from Front Royal, Va. and graduated from Madison County High School. A three-year varsity player, Stratton was named to the All District team twice during her career. Originally from Richmond, Va., Nichols attended Godwin High School where she played volleyball and soccer. Nichols' club teammate Faye Charles also joins the Monarchs this season from Ashland, Va. Charles played soccer, track and basketball at Patrick Henry High School. A midfielder, Charles was a two-time All-District selection.

A native of Jacksonville, Fl., Lindsey Oliphant was a four-year varsity starter in the midfield at Mandarin High School. She was honored as a Second Team All-District player while notching 32 assists in her senior season. Another midfielder, Catherine Ramsay hails from Gloucester, Va. Ramsay lettered in cross country, soccer, and indoor track at Gloucester High School. Selected as the Peninsula District's Player of the Year, Ramsay also received honors as First Team All-District and First Team All-Region. Rounding out the freshman class is Nicole Pett from Sterling, Va. A graduate of Dominion High School, Pett was a three-year starter and named Second Team All-District.

Tommasi is confident, "The incoming freshmen class has been exposed to a high level of soccer with the expectation it will ease their transition into the Methodist program."

The team opens their season at home on September 1st against Hood College at 2 pm.