2002 Women's Soccer Team
2002 Women's Soccer Preview
by
Thomas Holland '00
Coach Becky Fletcher enters her first season as head coach of the Erskine College Women’s Soccer program, after serving as an assistant at Tennessee Tech University for three years, with a team that has just one senior.
Fletcher inherits a team with four juniors, and will look to improve on last year’s season in which the Fleet won nine games. Erskine is ranked No. 8 in the CVAC preseason poll, but Fletcher hopes the team will do better.
“We have to finish in the top eight to qualify for the conference tournament,” she said. “That’s our goal. And when you get to the conference tournament, anything can happen.
“I’m very excited to get the season started,” Fletcher said. “We have a solid core of returning players along with a talented group of freshman coming in.”
Returning for her senior season is Tre’ Wylie (Chapin, SC/Chapin H.S.). Wylie played 17 games in goal last season for the Fleet, allowing 1.95 goals per game, while making 79 saves. Her experience in the goal will be a key factor for Erskine to succeed.
Junior captain Julie Brown (Charleston, SC/James Island H.S.) has fully recovered from off-season surgery and will look to be the leader on defense for the Flying Fleet. Last season, Brown played in 18 games and scored one goal.
Also back for her junior season is Allison Johnstone (Greenville, SC/Eastside H.S.). Johnstone finished last season with four goals and an assist while playing in all 19 games.
After
struggling with injuries for most of last season, junior Shelly Roberts
(Moore, SC/James F. Byrnes H.S.) is healthy and will look to provide
a spark on the offensive side. Roberts was second on the team in goals
(7) and points (16), while playing in 18 games last year.
Junior forward Rachel Freeman (Lexington, SC/Lexington H.S.) led the
team in assists last season and scored two goals while starting all
19 games.
Sophomore captain Esther Udall (Lindon, UT/Orem H.S.) has made the move from midfield to the back to help anchor the Fleet defense. Last season, Udall started all 19 games and was an Honorable Mention All-CVAC selection.
After missing three games with a knee injury last season, sophomore Elizabeth Tuggle (Athens, GA/Clarke Central H.S.) is healthy and will be counted on to provide a spark on offense. Tuggle finished last season with four goals and two assists in 16 games.
Jessie Pott (Chapin, SC/Chapin H.S.) enters her sophomore season with a year of college experience under her belt. Pott will help stabilize the Erskine defense.
Sophomores Lydia Frazier (Charlotte, NC/Independence H.S.), Mary Tricebock (Charlotte, NC/South Mecklenburg H.S.), Ashley Cirelli(Pendleton, SC/T.L Hanna H.S.), and Rene Marshall (Greensboro, NC/Ben L. Smith H.S.) will be counted on to provide experience on the offensive side of the ball. Each played in all 19 games, with Cirelli scoring four goals and Frazier scoring one.
This
year’s freshman class is very athletic and fast. Mandy Lambert
(Columbia, SC/Ben Lippen H.S.) should make an immediate impact with
her ability to play any position.
Julie Jefferson (Lexington, SC/Lexington H.S.) will be counted on to
use her height and speed up front to spark the offensive attack.
Erica Johansen (Mooresville, NC/Mooresville H.S.), Lindsay Zielinski (Florence, SC/South Florence H.S.), and Jamie Spivey (Greenwood, SC/Emerald H.S.) will give Fletcher plenty of options on both offense and defense.
