2006 Soccer Season Preview

AMES, Iowa- The Iowa State soccer team begins its tough 2006 schedule on the road at No. 5 Notre Dame on Saturday. The Cyclones host the home-opener vs. the Drake Bulldogs the following Monday. The last time ISU played a ranked team was Oct. 28, 2005 at No. 22 Nebraska, where the Cyclones posted their first-ever win over the Huskers, 2-0. Coming off their first ever NCAA tournament berth in school history, the Cyclones are looking to improve on the 2005 season.

The 2005 Iowa State soccer team finished the season as one of the best teams in school history (11-7-3 overall, 6-3-1 Big 12. The Cyclones bring back a strong returning unit with seven returning starters as well as 12 returning letterwinners, with the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament experience under their belt. The 2006 recruiting class with nine newcomers has received national recognition, ranking second in the Big 12 Conference and No. 26 in the nation, the highest ever for a Cyclone recruiting class. This season, head coach Rebecca Hornbacher is looking to put her team in the position to fight for a Big 12 championship, after tying for second place a year ago. The Cyclones scored 22 goals in conference action, the most in school history. The defense held their opponents to 25 goals on 307 shots-on-goal for a 1.15 goals-against average.

Returning players include defenders Elisa Berzins (So.), Kate Kirwan (Sr.), Beth Passman (Jr.), Amanda Purple (So.) and Erin Tudor (Jr.).; midfielders Stephanie Kaphingst (Jr.), Hannah Swanbom (So.), Jess Villhauer (Sr.), and Brittanie Waddell (Jr.); and forwards Leslie Hill (So.), Maggie McManemin (Jr.) and Erin Witte (Jr.).

Kirwan recorded a season-high five shots, including four shots on goal vs. No.1 Portland in the NCAA Tournament First Round. Passman remains a staple in the Cyclone backfield also recording a goal last year- a 30-year bomb in ISU's shutout over Oklahoma. Junior midfielder Kaphingst finished third on the team in goals after scoring the biggest goal of her career in ISU's last-second win at No. 18 Texas A&M. Joining her at midfield is Villhauer, who started every game and finished with two assists.

Striking in the offense are Hill, Waddell and Witte. Hill comes in as the Cyclones' second-leading returning scorer, knocking in three goals last year. Waddell highlighted last season as part of the double-assist tandem that set up Hill's game-winning goal vs. Colorado College. Rounding out the offense is Witte who, finished tied for second on the team with three assists and scored two goals in ISU's win at Texas Tech.

Key newcomers are led by goalkeeper Ann Gleason, true freshman from Stillwater, Minn., who will get her first collegiate start in the net against Notre Dame. Other key newcomers include defender Adrianna O'Neill, from Olathe, Kan., midfielders Casey Bothwell from Highlands Ranch, Colo. and Elise Reid from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and forward Amanda Nimtz from Allen, Texas.

Players Mentioned

Elisa Berzins

Elisa Berzins

Casey Bothwell

Ann Gleason

Leslie Hill

Leslie Hill

Stephanie Kaphingst

Stephanie Kaphingst

Kate Kirwan

Kate Kirwan

Maggie McManemin

Maggie McManemin

Amanda Nimtz

Adrianna O'Neill

Beth Passman

Beth Passman

Amanda Purple

Amanda Purple

Elise Reid

Hannah Swanbom

Hannah Swanbom

Erin Tudor

Erin Tudor

Jess Villhauer

Jess Villhauer

Brittanie Waddell

Brittanie Waddell

Erin Witte

Erin Witte

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