Women's Soccer

2007 All-American Sarah Ash leads the offense into the 2008 campaign

For the ninth time in Coach Gail Murphy's 11-year tenure in Granville, the 2007 women's soccer team appeared in the NCAA National Tournament. The 2008 squad looks to continue to build on that tradition.

OFFENSE
Senior Sarah Ash (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) leads the high-powered offense from a year ago. Ash was named 2008 First Team NSCAA All-American a year ago in addition to Ohio Player of the Year and NCAC Offensive Player of the Year. Her six goals and five assists tied her for the team lead in points with fellow captain Anna Rusch (Washington, D.C./Sidwell Friends). The junior scored eight goals a season ago en route to being named first team all-NCAC.

Forward Julie Dean (Liberty Twp., Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame) recorded a pair of goals and a pair of assists for the Big Red last season.  Fellow juniors Laura Kuehn (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and Leah Ellis (Hinsdale, Ill. /Hinsdale Central) will also be returning up top for Denison.

Sophomores Maggie Hoskin (Chicago, Ill. / Homewood-Flossmor) and Jen Clemmer (Hixson, Tenn. /Baylor School) both enjoyed successful freshman campaigns. Hoskin scored six goals, tied for second highest on the team, and Clemmer added five in a season shortened by an injury.

Rounding out the Big Red attack are sophomores Kim Oshita (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore), Eliza Miller (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Wellington) and Kate Pfeffer (Morristown, N.J./Newark Academy). Miller and Pfeffer both netted goals in 2007 and Oshita started five games.

DEFENSE
The backline will be led by senior and four year starter Molly Ruano (South Euclid, Ohio/Brush).  She will be joined by junior Kate Henderson (Denver, Colo. /George Washington) and sophomores Haley Gewehr (Larchmont, N.Y./Mamaroneck) and Jenn Sloan (Bethesda, Md. /Sidwell Friends).  Junior Jess Leary (Loveland, Ohio/Kings) will also be looking to work herself into the rotation.

Junior defender Katie Eckenhoff (Glencoe, Ill. /New Trier) who is currently sidelined with an injury is looking forward to returning to the field for the Big Red.

Junior goalkeeper Courtney Cobb (Sylvania, Ohio/St. Ursula) will fill the void left in the goal by two-time All-American Liz Gillette. Waiting in the wings for two seasons, Cobb has seen action in six contests and looks ready to lead the defense to another strong season.

Joining the Big Red this season a strong core of first year players.  Angie Coderre (Flossmor, Ill/Homewood-Flossmor) will help strengthen the midfield for the Big Red and will rejoin her high school teammate, Hoskin.  Adding to the attack are Tory Danis (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) and Lauren Farell (Sylvania, OH/Central Catholic).  Defensively, DU adds Jenny Dean (Liberty Twp., Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame) and Michelle Goebel (Mason, Ohio/Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy). Goebel and Dean will look to develop their role as attacking outside backs.  Rounding out the first-year players is Kerrigan Dopp (McLean, Va. /Mclean School of Md.).  The 6’0 foot goal keeper is looking to work her way into the rotation between the pipes for the Big Red.

SCHEDULE
Once again Denison will face some of the strongest small college soccer programs in the country.  This includes Centre, William Smith, Nazareth and Ohio Athletic Conference rival Otterbein. The Big Red's NCAC schedule will also continue to be tough with matches against Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan.