Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Look to Shine in '99
9/7/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
It is proper etiquette to never ask a woman?s age. To insinuate she is older than what she really is, is to offend her.
But go ahead, ask Head Coach Peter Reynaud how old his women?s soccer team is this fall. He?s sure they will not mind. In fact he wants you to ask, because Reynaud wants everyone to know he?s not fielding a bunch of freshmen anymore. They?ve grown up.
In 1998, the Bulldogs relied heavily upon its freshman class. While they proved their talent in getting onto the field, the players often fell prey to the typical freshman mistakes that irk every athlete making the jump from high school to a Division I program.
"Last year we were starting five freshmen, and at times had seven on the field at once," Reynaud explained. "It is very difficult to be competitive at a high level without experience, no matter how talented you are."
So as Reynaud?s program grows, his players age to a maturity suiting his standard goals.
"We are poised to win the conference championship and gain that automatic bid to the NCAA?s," Reynaud said.
Laying before the Bulldogs this fall is a schedule that a young, but talented team could benefit from. Within WAC competition four of the six conference games are set to be played in the friendly confines of Bulldog Stadium ? including the one versus traditional powerhouse SMU. The Bulldogs are set to exploit their scheduling advantage.
PRESSING THE ATTACK? Speed and finishing ability, two traits all of this year?s bulldog forwards posses.
The top returning scoring forward is sophomore Reyna Green. Green returns with her dangerous speed and array of skills hoping to build upon last season?s three-goal total.
Sophomore Morgan Oliveira makes the move up to the front line this fall after her successful freshman campaign at midfield last year. With great speed and attacking skills, Reynaud expects this player to prosper in her new position. Showing a glimpse of the future, Oliveira netted the game-winning goal in the regular-season finale against Cal Poly last fall.
The team?s top shooter, junior Jill Pearson, is the team?s returning top assist woman as well. An all-around offensive force, this Garden Grove, Calif., native recorded five assists and three goals last year on 46 shots on goal. Pearson opens the season second in Bulldog career assists, goals and points.
Slowed by her recovery to an earlier injury to the anterior cruciate ligament last year, junior Corrine Atkins is set to run all out once again. The Clovis, Calif., native is slated to bring her penetration-type speed to the left side of the Bulldog attack and show the skills which caused Nike to label her as an All-American in high school.
Sophomore Rena Tanner has greatly improved her skills from her freshman campaign. Reynaud noted her ability to shield the ball from defenders as her biggest improvement and should provide valuable depth at the position.
Freshmen Jackie Jewell brings the rare combination of height and speed to the Bulldogs this fall and should provide depth to the position, as well as push the starters for playing time as the season continues.
AT MIDFIELD? Sara Yudin is the lone senior leading the talented midfielding group. Yudin will bring well-needed experience, great skills and a powerful shot to the position. A great athlete, Yudin has been with the Bulldogs since the program?s inception and, according to Reynaud, the Davis, Calif., native is playing the best soccer of her career.
The Bulldogs? top returning finisher, sophomore Aimee Thompson, will anchor the midfield. Thompson netted four last year and assisted on two others en route to second team All-WAC honors. With improved agility, Reynaud is looking for a great season from the second-year player.
Continuing to develop nicely are sophomores Andrea Morelock and Jessica Peisch. Both strong physical players, the two local Fresno products contributed significant minutes to last year?s squad and looks to do the same this season.
Battling back from an injury she suffered to her anterior cruciate ligament last year, sophomore Amber Houchen is set to join her recruiting classmates on the field. A versatile offensive player, Houchen could see time at both the midfield and forward positions.
Sisters and transfers Andrea and Lee Baier are solid skilled players who will provide valuable depth at the midfield and defender positions. Other newcomers set to provide versatility to the midfield are Megan Griffith, Margo Thomas and Virginia Jenkins.
ON DEFENSE? A mixture of styles and skills make the Bulldog defense a force to be reckoned with.
Joining Thompson with All-WAC honors last season was defender Susan Shivokevich. The sophomore?s level of fitness, overall skills and offensive mentality bring a unique talent to the position. Shivokevich should continue to develop and become more of a force within the conference, according to Reynaud.
Kristen Dunlap has matured right along with the women?s program. A starter since day one, Dunlap made the move to defender last season after spending most of her time at midfield. Last season Dunlap took four shots on goal, finding net once.
Megan McAlpin is set to play left fullback after spending some time at midfield last fall. Noted for her speed and attacking style, the Novato, Calif., native is expected to see some time on the front line as well. Last fall McAlpin lead the position with 19 shots on goal.
Known for her cerebral approach to the game, Sarah McEachen is set to play right fullback. The Los Alamitos, Calif., native is scouted as a player who rarely finds herself out of position and seldom makes a mistake and gets beat.
After suffering an injury to her anterior cruciate ligament last fall, junior Nicole Burnside has returned in tremendous shape and is expecting to push the starters for playing time. Freshman Nicole Hanson projects to be a force on the field when she returns mid-season from an earlier injury.
IN GOAL? Safely planted in goal is senior Jennifer Johnstone. Back for her final campaign as a Bulldog, the Scotts Valley, Calif., native is looking for a third-consecutive honored season. Last fall Johnstone followed up her impressive sophomore season in 1997, which she was first team All-WAC and second team All-West Region honors, with campaign capped with second team all-WAC and third team All-West honors.
Junior Jennifer Badella is tremedously improved, according to Reynaud, and newcomer Mary-Tyler Wahl is fresh off a high school career which was capped with her named to the South California State Team. Both Badella and Wahl are expected to compete for playing time.
