2001 Women's Soccer Schedule        2001 Women's Soccer Roster    

Senior Erin English

Women's Soccer Preveiw

When Garth Pollonais was asked to coach the women's soccer team at Erskine on an interim basis this year — in addition to his duties as men's soccer coach — he did not flinch.

"I just love coaching the game, whether it's men, or women, or both," he said.

After guiding a turnaround of the men's program last year, his first year back at his alma mater, he hopes to have the same success with the women's program, that he says has "solid recruits." All 12 of them.

The 12 freshmen are undergoing a grueling preseason with a focus on fitness. Four sophomores return on a team with just two upperclassmen, one junior and one senior.

"This team is so young," Pollonais said. "The first thing they have to do is understand college soccer. If they stay together and play for each other, we will be OK at the end of the season."

Erin English, the lone senior on the team, is playing for her fourth coach in four years at Erskine. Regardless of the coach, English has played outstanding soccer for three years in the midfield and on defense. She is coming off a second-team all-conference junior season.

"She is our leader," Pollonais said. "Everyone is looking to her."

Erskine lost seven players to graduation from last year's 10-7-1 team that was eliminated in the conference quarterfinals on penalty kicks, including All-CVAC star Virginia Murphy at midfield, goalkeeper Liz Baldwin, sweeper Crystal Cooper, and stopper Lauren Eudy.

But Pollonais believes the Lady Fleet "have the potential to have a strong season."

He said, "We have talent, but besides that you have to execute properly and you have to have some luck fall your way. We have had a good attitude and a good work ethic in preseason so far, and that usually pays off in the end."

Pollonais' optimism comes from the fact that he has Shelley Roberts, second-team All-CVAC as a freshman forward last year, and sophomore midfielder Allison Johnstone, anchoring the offense.

"They will give us great offensive opportunities," he said.

Sophomore forward Rachel Freeman, according to Pollonais, is "playing up to her potential. She will give us an option with her speed that not many teams have."

One interesting battle will be in goal for the Lady Fleet, where junior Tre Wylie, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, is fighting for the starting job with freshman Shantika Britt.

Pollonais takes over for Brad McCarty, who left this summer after coaching Erskine for a year.

"I am optimistic about this team's chances," Pollonais said.

Erskine opens the season at home Sept. 1 against Converse at 7 p.m.

(click here for a photo essay)