Otahkians report in top shape to contend for top honors

Southeast coach Heather Nelson hopes the players' fitness program pays off in the OVC race.

By Marty Mishow

Southeast Missourian

Heather Nelson doesn't know if she's ever had a fitter or deeper team in her previous five seasons as Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer coach.

Nelson hopes those attributes pay dividends for the Otahkians, who open the 2004 campaign tonight with a 7 p.m. match against Arkansas at Houck Stadium. Southeast concludes its two-game weekend homestand 2 p.m. Sunday when Evansville visits.

"They've worked really hard, and we're fitter than we've ever been," Nelson said. "We're also deeper than we've been. I think everybody will contribute this year. It won't really matter who starts, because everybody will play a lot."

Nelson credits the majority of her players staying in Cape Girardeau over the summer to work with Paul Helsel, the school's strength and conditioning coach, for their fitness when they reported for preseason practice on Aug. 12.

"I had more athletes stay to train here this summer with Paul Helsel than in the history of our program," Nelson said.

Said senior midfielder Michelle Frossard: "A lot of us stayed in town over the summer to work out and we're really fit. That showed the commitment everybody has and we're looking for a great season."

Southeast was 10-5-5 last year, including a 4-3-1 Ohio Valley Conference mark that placed the Otahkians fifth out of nine teams. An offense that produced only 25 goals likely prevented Southeast from faring any better.

But Nelson -- despite the fact her squad lost both its exhibition games -- is hopeful of a big season, primarily because a roster loaded with experience has been bolstered by five heralded freshmen.

The Otahkians have eight returning seniors and 16 returning players in all, including 12 players who started at least 10 games last year. And three more started at least six games.

"From top to bottom, this is one of the most talented teams we've had," said Nelson, who started Southeast's program in 1999 and has led the Otahkians to a 50-17-8 record over the past four seasons. "We have a lot of experience, and the freshmen are at the level where they can contribute."

Southeast returns 10 of its top 11 point producers from last year, including players who scored 21 of the 25 goals.

Senior midfielder Marla Gianino had seven assists last season and made first team all-OVC. Gianino was also first team in 2001 and second team in 2002.

Senior defender Heather Reding was second team all-OVC last year, when she had two goals and two assists. She made the first team in 2002.

Junior midfielder Ashley DeRoy (three goals, three assists) and sophomore defender Jessi Wuellner (one goal, one assist) both made the all-OVC third team last season.

Sophomore midfielder Molli Beard (four goals, two assists) led the Otahkians last year with 10 points while senior forwards Diana Poovey and Erin Slattery tied Beard with four goals apiece.

Junior forward Lisa Schweppe (one goal, three assists), Frossard (one goal, two assists) and junior midfielder Megan Hejlek (one goal, one assist) all contributed to the attack last year while returning defenders seniors Jen Cross and Laura Hauskins, along with juniors Erin Hartmann and Mary Kalinowski, helped anchor the back line. Hartmann is a Jackson High School graduate.

Sophomore midfielder Caitlin Huber is also back after coming off the bench a year ago.

Senior keeper Amanda Wrzos returns after allowing just 19 goals while playing all 20 games, and senior newcomer Carina Souza -- a basketball standout at Southeast the past two years -- also figures to get some playing time in the nets.

Nelson is high on the five freshmen who were all among the premier high school players in the St. Louis area last season: Lauren Costello, Alaina Lacopo, Megan Matter, Emily Newsham and Margie Schaeffler.

"We've got a lot of leadership and some really good freshmen," Slattery said. "I think we're going to be really good."

So does Nelson, who expects the Otahkians to seriously contend for the OVC title. They were picked third in the preseason poll based on voting by the league's coaches.

"I'll be extremely disappointed if we're not in the thick of things," she said. "We certainly have the talent to do that."

Noteworthy

Arkansas went 7-10-2 overall last year, including 3-6 in the Southeastern Conference. The Razorbacks beat Southeast 2-1 in 2002 in the only meeting between the programs.

Evansville was 3-13-2 last season, including a 1-0 home loss to Southeast. The Aces were 1-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

SOUTHEAST SOCCER SCHEDULEAugust

27 -- Arkansas, 7 p.m.

29 -- Evansville, 2 p.m.September

3 -- Illinois, 7 p.m.

5 -- Xavier, 1 p.m.

12 -- vs. Northwestern, at Chicago, Ill., noon

17 -- vs. Air Force, at St. Louis, 5 p.m.

19 -- Arkansas State, 2 p.m.

24 -- at Tennessee Tech, 3 p.m.

26 -- at Austin Peay, 2 p.m.October

3 -- Morehead State, 2 p.m.

8 -- Samford, 7 p.m.

10 -- at Jacksonville State, 1 p.m.

15 -- Tennessee-Martin, 7 p.m.

17 -- Murray State, 2 p.m.

22 -- at Eastern Illinois, 3 p.m.

24 -- Texas Tech, 11 a.m.

28 -- at SIU-Edwardsville, 7 p.m.

31 -- Alabama A&M, noon

November

2,5,6 -- OVC Tournament, TBD