General Information:
School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Enrollment: 6,200 (2,900 undergrad)
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Stadium: Ona Orth Athletic Complex
2008 Record:
Overall Record: 9-7-2
MIAC Record: 2-7-2 / 10th
Key losses:
Kylie Dirks - 3 goals, 2 assists as defender
Kristin Kishaba - All-MIAC, two-time All-MIAC Honorable Mention
Charli Sorensen - All-MIAC goalie, school record holder for wins, shutouts, and saves
Esther Sowles - 10 goals, 3 assists; second leading point scorer in Bethel history
Key Returners:
Brittany Griffore - 6 goals, 3 assists - 15 points
Katelynn Hains - 1 goal, 4 assists - 6 points
Krista Polding - 4 goals, 5 assists - 13 points
Breanna Posey
Kelci Schedler
Season Outlook:
In 2008, the Bethel women’s soccer program put together their best season in team history by finishing 9-7-2 overall, setting numerous individual and additional team records along the way. Led by All-Conference goalkeeper Charli Sorensen, the Royals started out with a team best six-game winning streak and an eight game unbeaten streak, which included Bethel’s first ever point in the conference standings against St. Thomas, who was otherwise undefeated in conference play. Despite hitting a rough patch in the middle of the season, the Royals closed out the season strong with a 3-1-1 record, ending with a 3-1 win over Saint Mary’s. Esther Sowles finished her collegiate career by scoring nine goals in her last five games, including a school record four-goal performance against Martin Luther College, escalating her to second all-time in points with 68 and third all-time in goals with 28. “Esther’s performance toward the end of the season was exactly what we needed in terms of senior leadership to help us finish on such a strong note. Charli was a rock in the net that and her leadership and play is what gave us the endurance to last the season – we couldn’t have had the season we did without her,” said Head Coach Pepe Jon Chavez.
With the graduation of six seniors, all of whom played a significant amount of minutes last year, Coach Chavez will look to a number of underclassmen and newcomers to step up into leadership roles this season. “We lost some good players and athletes. I think of what Kristin Kishaba, and Kylie Dirks did for us in the back as starters. They’re going to be tough to replace, but thanks to the example they set, I’m confident we will continue to grow,” said Chavez.
OFFENSE
While Bethel was led by a strong core of seniors last season, a pair of newcomers in Sophie Christiansen (So., Portland, Ore.) and Brittany Griffore (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) made an impact immediately as the two combined for 16 goals and 13 assists. The Royals are excited to once again put the pressure on opposing defenses, though Christiansen begins the season on the injured list. Krista Polding (Jr., Waconia, Minn.) also had a breakout year by scoring four goals and assisting on five others for 13 points, giving her 20 points in her two years thus far. Coach Chavez will also be looking for strong offensive support from Katelynn Hains (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) and Breanna Posey (Sr., Champlin, Minn.) as well as newcomers Kelsey Flaherty (Fr., Shoreview, Minn.), Anne Fazio (Fr., Holland, Mich.), and Brittany Flight (Fr., Mokena, Ill.). “I’m excited to see what our offense can do this year. Brittany Griffore continues to develop as a leader through her play, and I think the new player’s surrounding her will learn a lot and have an effect right away. We have really matured as a program playing at this level in a conference as tough as ours. We should be fun to watch.”
DEFENSE
Two of the biggest holes the Royals will have to fill are those left by the departures of Kristin Kishaba and Kylie Dirks, both four-year starters at defense. Kishaba earned All-MIAC recognition her sophomore year, and honorable mention her junior and senior years. She graduated with 28 career points on seven goals and 14 assists. Meanwhile, Dirks netted three goals and two assists in her senior year for eight points. Among the returning players looking to step up on defense are Kelci Schedler (Sr., Fon du Lac, Wis.) and Jami Johnson (Jr.,Fergus Falls, Minn.). They will be joined by Kelsey Holmberg (Fr., Cambridge, Minn.) and Ellen Potts (Fr., Fargo, N.D.) in the back as well as Carolyn Kishaba (So., Eau Claire, Wis.) in the middle. “Our defense is going to have to be tough because there are some technically gifted players in the MIAC. If we can apply strong pressure in all areas we can take away some of the creativity allowed by opponents in past seasons. We are looking forward to pushing conference opponents hard this season to gain greater results in MIAC league play.”
GOALKEEPER
For the first time in four years, the position of goalkeeper is open. Charli Sorensen finished her career in 2008 with the most wins, shutouts, and saves of any goalkeeper before her at Bethel in the 16 years of the program. Sorensen’s efforts in front of the net garnered her All-MIAC recognition her senior year, as well as honorable mention her junior year. Alyssa Riggs (Jr., Columbia Heights, Minn.) patrolled the posts
as Sorensen’s backup and did not allow a goal in 180-plus minutes last season. Newcomers Kiersten Hansen (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.), Janel Pecachek (Jr., Eagan, Minn.) and Abby Furlong (Fr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) will compete for the starting job with Riggs. “Charli was such an asset to the program because she was a competitor. I was so proud to have her on the team, not just for what she did as a player, but also for what she brought to the program as an individual. She’s got some big shoes to fill, but we’ve got some good talent coming in.”
“We played tough against some very good teams last season, and even if we didn’t win, we were always in the game. In order for us to be move up in the conference, we’re going to have to continue and develop our depth and apply more pressure both on offense and defense so that we’re playing to win – not just the game, but each time we step on the field and in all we do as a program. Like so many other sports, good teams do the little things well, and that adds up to big results. We’ve been doing some of the little things right, but we must do more. Last year we showed we are a competitive bunch. This year, we will take that competitiveness up a notch and begin to establish ourselves as one of the better teams in the conference.”
