Women’s soccer: Anteaters to add scoring punch?

Steve Virgen

Defense doesn’t seem to be a problem for the UC Irvine women’s

soccer team. The offense is an entirely different story, one the

Anteaters want to change as they begin the 2001 season Aug. 31 at the Air

Force Invitational.

Last year’s Anteaters allowed only 16 goals, while shutting out nine

opponents during a 10-7-2 season. They were second in the Big West and

came up just short of a league title.

The nine shutouts tied for the most in the Big West Conference and

proved to be the most for the school since 1996. The nine shutouts ranked

ninth nationally.

But the offense? UCI scored 19 goals in the 19 games. Coach Marine

Cano, entering his eighth season, now wants more. How much more?

“We need to score 65 goals,” Cano said. “Our defense will be very

good. Our goal production needs to increase. Sixty-five. That’s what

we’re aiming for.”

The coach believes the goal is attainable because he returns a

first-team All-Big West selection in Newport Harbor High product Janelle

Doyle. Cano said Doyle, who collected 15 points (four goals, seven

assists) last year, has the potential to improve because of “the weapons

around her.” Doyle’s seven assists were sixth most in UCI history for a

single season.

“She gives her heart and soul to this team,” said Cano, who added

consistency as one of Doyle’s assets. “I want her to get points this

year. I don’t care what kind of points, assists or goals. And she’ll do

that for us because of those weapons.”

Said Doyle: “That’s my goal, to score as many goals as I can and help

the team win the (Big West) conference. We, as a team, need to score

more. Everyone needs to shoot more.”

Returning midfielders Ariana Downs, a sophomore, and All-Big West

second-team pick Natalie Franklin, a senior, are both potential weapons.

The Anteaters return 10 starters, losing their goalkeeper Allison

Merrick, who ranks fourth all-time in career shutouts at UCI and recorded

seven last year. Junior Sarah Swancutt is the favorite to take over, but

freshman Chelsea McCarthy will challenge.

Though the Anteaters appear to have experience, Cano believes

otherwise. He said they still need to learn and also find some character.

“We need leadership and maturity,” Cano said. “When it’s tough, how

are we going to react? We need some personality, that’s what we need.

That will come with experience. We only have two seniors.”

One senior, Mary Peters, returns from a knee injury last year, which

caused her to redshirt the season. Injuries are a major factor for a

successful season. In two weeks, the Anteaters might be at full strength

or they might not.

Brittany Zimmerman will redshirt this season after suffering

concussion complications and Melody Mangrello is day-to-day, still

rehabilitating from tearing an anterior cruciate ligament last year.

“Any day we get through without injuries is a day when I’m happy,”

Cano said. “If we can stay healthy, we have a chance at the Big West

title.”

Cano also said the Anteaters will be much improved because of their

freshmen and transfer Alejandra Nunez, who comes in as a junior from

Cypress College. She scored 74 goals in two years at Cypress. Also, Julie

Scheppele of Fountain Valley High, will add strength and speed, Cano

said.

“Our freshmen will surprise some people,” Cano said. “I’m not going to

say what they’re going to play like, but they won’t play like freshmen.”

UC Irvine Women’s Soccer

*tentative

1 Sarah Swancutt GK Jr.

3 Arian Downs MF So.

6 Sara Henderson D Jr.

7 Melody Mangrello D Jr.

10 Erica Gutierrez MF Jr.

11 Natalie Franklin MF Sr.

12 Erin Tuvey F So.

13 Robyn Piotrwoski D Jr.

14 Hayley McNallan F So.

15 Janelle Doyle MF Jr.

16 Gina Hintz D Jr.

18 Jennifer Griffith D Jr.

19 Mary Peters D Sr.

20 Caroline Kabe MF So.

21 Gina Scachetti D So.

24 Crystal Fukumoto D So.

27 Heather Burgio D So.

Alejandra Nunez F Jr.

Julie Scheppele MF Fr.

Chelsea McCarthy GK Fr.

Tara Weldon D Fr.

Allison Spencer D Fr.

Amanda Bell GK Fr.

Jessica Hakim D Fr.

Ashley Brooks D Fr.

Kelly Ridge MF Fr.

Coach: Marine Cano (eighth Season)

Assistant Coach: Jamie Surprenant (first season)