Temple University 2006 Women’s Soccer Outlook
Coming off of his second full recruiting season, Head Coach David Jones is hoping that all of his hard work will pay off. 14 of the 25 players on the women’s soccer roster are either freshman or sophomores and about seven of those 14 will probably be consistently in the starting line-up. This may sound like a recipe for disaster for some but Jones is confident that the Owl youth movement will be able to compete against any opponent that it may face. Temple returns 2005 leading scorer and A-10 All-Rookie Team member Charisma Wright as well as starters Cori Gallagher, Katrina Lynch and Tiffany Kasunich, who led TU to its best finish since the 2002 season. “We may be young but there is experience in our youth,” Jones commented.
Goaltenders
After playing every minute of every game last season, sophomore Kasunich returns as the most experienced of the Temple goaltenders. Kasunich stopped 115 opponent shots, ranking her third in the Atlantic 10 and sixth on Temple’s single season save list and posted a 71% save percentage. Liz Tarasevich returns to the Owl goal after sitting out last season. Tarasevich has appeared in 16 games in her career. Jamie Dzik rounds out the goalkeeping staff. A sophomore transfer from East Stroudsburg University, Dzik saw action in nine games for the Warriors, posting three shutouts and a goals against average of 1.56.
Defenders
Senior captain Trish Dalton is anxious to return to the Temple backfield after suffering a season-ending injury just three games into the season last year. Dalton has started virtually every game of her career and will be relied upon to settle the team and allow for smooth transitions from defense to offense. Cori Gallagher returns to anchor the defense after starting in all 19 contests as a freshman last season. Gallagher was second on the team in scoring, netting three goals and dishing two assists. Kamille Edwards, Kersha Walker and Stephanie Schafer also lend experience to bolster the Owl defense. Edwards appeared in 14 games for Temple last season, starting in three. Walker saw action in 15 games and scored her lone goal of the season in TU’s overtime thriller against George Washington, while Schafer started in 16 of 19 matches and took five shots. Jessica Feinstein and Casey Zellers should also continue to see significant time. Both played in half of the Owls’ matches last season, netting goals in games against Saint Louis and Delaware State, respectively. Emily Lamp is the lone newcomer to the Temple defense. A transfer from Slippery Rock, Lamp played in 12 games at SRU and dished the game-winning assist to lead the team to the 2005 PSAC Championship.
Defenders/Midfielders
Freshmen Natalie Mell, Dana Kerem and Carly Metzger should have immediate impacts on the defensive midfield position. A four-time All-state selection, Mell led Exeter Township High School to back-to-back district finals. Kerem will bring a toughness to the position after spending four years on the Israeli National Team. Metzger led Villa Joseph Marie High School to Pennsylvania state titles in 2003 and 2005 and should continue to be a valuable asset at Temple.
Midfielders
Temple should continue to be strong in its midfield, as the Owls return six letterwinners from last season. Sophomore Wendy Halina started in 15 of 19 games last season, ranking third on the squad in scoring with two goals. Katrina Lynch made an immediate impact last season as a freshman middie. Lynch started in 18 of 19 games, netting one goal and dishing one assist. Jones expects the Philadelphia native to be a strong force again this season. Jenna Rankin also returns as a starter from last season. Rankin dished two assists last season, including the game-winning assist against St. Bonaventure. Senior Darlene Beamon returns for her second season as an Owl. Beamon started in nine games last season and scored her lone goal of the season against Saint Joseph’s to give Temple a 2-2 tie. Elena Hekimian and Debbie Painter serve as valuable options off the bench. Hekimian saw action in 18 games and dished one assist while Painter played in 16 games and scoring the game-winner in TU’s match vs. Wagner.
Midfielders/Forwards
The Owls will have a whole new look to their offensive midfield position. Morgan Rapciewicz should have an immediate impact on the squad after finishing her Burlington City High School career as the school’s all-time leading scorer. The First Team All-South Jersey selection will be relied upon for her physical play and ability to score. Katherine Schmelz, a two-time All-Conference performer from Saylorsburg, Pa., should provide speed to the Temple offense. Junior Jaclyn Fafinski is the final new edition. A transfer from Monroe County Community College, Fafinski helped her team to back-to-back NJCAA Division I National Championships after earning eight goals and three assists for 19 points as a sophomore.
Forwards
Rookie sensation Charisma Wright returns to spark the Temple offense. Wright emerged as TU’s top offensive performer last season and, after leading the team with five goals, was rewarded with a spot on the Atlantic 10’s All-Rookie Team. She should continue to be a scoring threat in her sophomore campaign. Senior Kelly Lare returns after suffering an injury a year ago. Lare was the squad’s leading scorer (three goals) and point earner (seven) in 2004.
