YSUsports.com - New Coaches, Faces, Hope to Lead Turnaround in 2004

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Aug. 26, 2004
New Coaches, Faces, Hope to Lead Turnaround in 2004
    Youngstown -- The heart and talent still remains on the 2004 Youngstown State soccer team, but the coaching staff has changed as it comes to a crossroad in the program under the direction of new Head Coach Anthony James.
    James will rely on 10 returning starters and contributions from an anxious group of first-year recruits as the Penguins are on a quest to climb the standings and make Youngstown State a yet to be discovered powerhouse in the Horizon League.
    Last season, YSU finished 2-17 with a 1-5 mark in the Horizon League, picking up its first league win since becoming a member in 2001.
    Three seniors, Kim Jugenheimer, Lauren Ausmundson and Mia Railing, lead the way as the veteran core this year. Along with the class of seniors, other top returnees include juniors Casey Dick, Katie Deprey, Jessica Yarter and sophomores Maddie Lawther and Maura Patton.
    For James and the Penguins, winning will eventually take care of itself.
    "If we become better players and we become better as a team that will give us an opportunity to be successful in the future," James said.

Goalkeeping
    Junior Mia Railing will be called upon for the second consecutive season to handle the starting goalkeeping duties. Last season, Railing led the Horizon League with 123 saves and collected eight-or-more saves on nine occasions.
    "Mia has proven herself on all levels," James said. "She brought a lot to the table last year and proved herself and I think that she is one of the best goalkeepers in the league."
    James will also look to juniors Jennifer Jennings and Caitlin Bestard for assistance. Bestard was the starting goalie in 2002 and ranked fourth in the nation with 9.26 saves per game.

Defender
In the backfield, James has a mixed group of experienced and eager backs that will anchor the defensive line. Dick, Patton, Deprey and sophomore Laura Mauer, will put forth relentless effort as the last line of protection for the Penguins.
"Our defense is the main area of concern for this team," James said. "We will have to take other players and convert them into defensive players, but defense is not just four players, it’s 11."

Forward
Leading the offensive line will be senior Kim Jugenheimer and sophomore Maddie Lawther. Last season, Jugenheimer broke the school record for most goals and most points in a game. Lawther, who is coming off a strong freshman campaign, started in 16 games last season, scoring three goals and dishing out two assists.
"I am very excited to watch our offense this season because we have a lot of talent," James said. "It’s probably our strongest aspect of the team."

Midfield
Anchoring the mid-game this season will be the Penguins’ top scorer from a year ago, junior Jessica Yarter. Last season, Yarter led the Penguins with five goals. Joining Yarter is senior Lauren Ausmundson, Corey Cardone and Akron transfer Katie Duracky.
Last season, Cardone tied the school record for most assists in a game with three against Delaware State. She also scored two goals to finish the season with seven points. Duracky played for Akron in 2002, but redshirted last season.

Newcomers
    The Penguins have much optimism with their 2004 recruiting class. Seven new faces grace the squad this season and are expected to make immediate impact.
    "I am very excited to see our newcomers," said James. "They are the foundation of this program and I am confident they will bring a lot to YSU on and off the field."
    The Penguins welcome Duracky, Division II West Virginia Wesleyan transfers Sadie Brookman and Roberta Johnson, Tessa Brookman (Morgantown, W.Va.), Britta Snowberger (New Enterprise, Pa), Casey Taylor (Oakland, Md.), Kara Vezza (Semickley, Pa.) and Brittny Humphrey (Liberty, Ohio).
    Brookman and Johnson both played for James at West Wesleyan. Last season, Brookman was a second-team NSCAA Division II All-American. She had six goals and six assists while starting 19 of 21 games for the Bobcats. Johnson added seven goals and four assists to help their team to a 16-3-2 record.

Schedule
    The schedule features 17 regular-season games, including just five home contests at Stambaugh Stadium. YSU travels to North Carolina, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Michigan for non-league games this year.
    The season gets underway with a match at Robert Morris on August 27. YSU plays its home and Horizon League opener on Sept. 3 against Detroit.
    For the first time in school history, the Penguins will meet with ACC member, NC State, Big East member, Villanova, Big 12 member, Iowa State, UNC-Wilmington, Creighton, Western Michigan and Horizon League newcomer Cleveland State.
    YSU travels to Raleigh, N.C., for the Summit Hospitality NC State Invitational on September 10 and then to Ames, Iowa, for the Nike Iowa State Invitational on Sept. 17.
    The 2004 Horizon League Tournament is scheduled to be played Nov. 4-7 at Butler.
    "We have a very tough schedule this season," James said. "We play a lot of stronger programs, but we are going to do our best and see what happens."