This fall, the University of Nevada soccer team will have a great blend of veteran experience and leadership combined with a talented incoming class. However, despite their differences in collegiate playing experience, the team as a whole has its eyes set on the same thing - the program’s second WAC title and second NCAA Tournament appearance.
Nevada’s senior class has participated in three consecutive WAC Tournaments and has won a WAC Tournament title and made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006. Nevada’s veteran leadership coupled with Nevada’s incoming class, which includes players that have won a US Youth Soccer National Championship and who have NCAA Elite Eight Tournament experience, shows the Pack isn’t willing to settle for anything less than a conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
“I think I can safely speak for the team and our staff when I say our goal is to win the conference and advance into the NCAA tournament,” first-year head coach Jaime Frias said.
Nevada’s senior class includes the program’s all-time leader in points, Miranda Montejo, the school’s all-time leader in assists, Jessica Thompson in addition to Karen Zmirak, Samantha Miller, Patrice Godwin, Sarah Hunt and Trisha Gibbons.
“You can’t replace or teach experience and that’s what this group of seniors has,” Frias said. “These seniors have won some pretty big games and know what it takes to advance into the NCAA tournament. They will be a big factor to our success this year.”
In addition to Nevada’s talented senior class, the Pack returns eight letterwinners from last season’s team that advanced to its third consecutive WAC Tournament appearance. Returning for Nevada are junior defender Devin Noe, who provides an attacking threat from the back line, sophomore forward Cristen Drummond, who tied for the team lead in goals last season with five and sophomore goalkeeper Marie Cove, who set a program record for most shutouts by a freshman (3.)
“Leadership is an important piece of the puzzle with any successful team. Like I said before, we have players on this team that have played in the NCAA Tournament and have beaten some of the top teams in the country,” Frias said. “The upperclassmen’s commitment to getting Nevada back to the top of the conference is a testament to the leadership we have on this team.”
Nevada welcomes seven newcomers this fall including: freshman Annabelle Allen (Littleton, Colo.) who won a US Youth Soccer National Championship in 2008 with her club team, Colorado Rush; junior transfer Nikki McEachern (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) while made two NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight appearance who playing for Clemson from 2006-07; freshman Ellie Stott (East Gosford, New South Wales, Australia) led her high school team to a top-eight ranking in the state; and Natalie Ratnavira (Fallbrook, Calif.) who led her high school team to three conference championships. Also joining Nevada this fall is Sacramento, Calif., native Katie Catricala, and two local products, Sarah Voss (Spanish Springs High School) and Joanne Terranova (McQueen High School).
“Our staff expects for everyone on this team to contribute to the success of the program in some shape or form,” Frias said “We have some very talented incoming freshmen this year but they’ll have their work cut out for them trying to break into the starting line-up.”
Goalkeeper
Nevada returns both of its goalkeepers from 2007 in sophomore Marie Cove and senior Sarah Hunt. Cove started 16 games for the Pack during her rookie season and recorded three shutouts, the most shutouts by a freshman goalkeeper in program history. She recorded 48 saves on the season and was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week after leading Nevada to the program’s first-ever wins over UNLV and UC Davis. After just one season with Nevada, Cove ranks third all-time in goals against average (1.51 GAA).
“Marie came in as a freshman and was expected to start for our program last year,” Frias said. “The lessons learned from that experience will undoubtedly help her as she continues to push for the number one goalkeeping spot.”
Hunt also returns for the Pack this season in goal. She appeared in four games last season and made two starts, including starting Nevada’s WAC Tournament quarterfinal game against Fresno State. She recorded 10 saves in four games and was named the team’s most improved player. Hunt is also a member of Nevada’s nationally-ranked softball team that won the WAC regular season title in 2008 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
“Sarah is a pure competitor and an explosive athlete,” Frias said. “She is looking to compete for the starting spot this year.”
Defender
Nevada returns several key players to its backline including senior Patrice Godwin, junior Devin Noe and sophomores Vanessa Mann and Erin Smith. Godwin, who was selected to attend the U23 Select/Amateur National Team Training Camp this summer, has started and played in 56 career games for Nevada while helping anchor a defense that has recorded 22 shutouts in three seasons. Godwin, who recorded her first career assist last season versus Arizona, played 1634:00 minutes for the Pack out of a possible 1640:00 minutes in 2007. Noe returns for her junior year after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Pack’s ninth game of the 2007 season. Prior to her injury, she started and played in Nevada’s first nine games and recorded three points on one goal and one assist. In addition to her speed and air game, Noe also contributes to the attack playing long balls out of the back and getting forward as she has recorded eight career points for the Pack.
“Patrice is one of the most athletic players we have on our team. She’s matured a great deal as a player over the spring and summer and understands the tactical side of the game better than before,” Frias said. “Devin is a player we’re anxious to get back on the field. She spent all spring rehabbing her knee and should be ready to battle for a starting role in our back line.”
Sophomores Erin Smith and Vanessa Mann each saw significant playing time as freshmen in 2007 and will look to be back in the starting lineup in 2008. Smith, who this summer won a Region IV Championship and a US Youth Soccer National Championship with her club team Colorado Rush, played in all 18 games as a freshman last season and started 17. She played full 90s in each of Nevada’s three shutouts on the year and was third on the team in minutes played with 1444:00. Mann appeared in 17 games as a freshman last season and made 12 starts. She saw time in both the defense and the midfield and recorded five points during the season on two goals and one assist.
“Erin is a player that benefited tremendously from our strength and conditioning program this past spring. We will look for her to be a dominant force as a center back or defensive center midfielder,” Frias said. “Vanessa has a very mature soccer mind and is a student of the game. She can see the game develop better than most and can play multiple positions on the field.”
Also looking for time in the Nevada defense will be senior Trisha Gibbons, junior transfer Nikki McEachern and freshman Joanne Terranova. Gibbons, a three-year letter winner for the Pack, played in three matches last season Nevada’s victories over UNLV, Northern Arizona and La Tech. She took one shot on the year against Northern Arizona on October 5.
“I’ve never met a player with more heart and determination than Trisha,” Frias said. “She is a dedicated player and an important leader on our squad.”
Newcomers McEachern and Terranova could either see time in the defense or midfield for the Pack. McEachern is a junior transfer from Clemson University where she played for the Tigers in 2006 and 2007. While at Clemson, she made two NCAA appearances, an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2006 and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. The Calgary, Alberta, Canada native was named one of the top-25 international recruits in 2006 by Soccer Buzz. Terranova is a local product who attended McQueen High School in Reno, Nev. She earned four varsity letters in soccer and won a Northern Nevada 4A State soccer title in 2004. Terranova was a first-team all-league selection in 2007 and was named Defensive Player of the Year.
“Nikki’s playing background will allow her to handle the natural ups and downs of the season. She’s a seasoned veteran that has played at the highest international and collegiate level. What makes Nikki special is her competitive fire. We will look for her to raise the competitive level of every training session she’s in and we expect her to immediately compete for a starting position,” Frias said. “Joanne’s ability to play all 90 minutes of a game at a high tempo is a quality that not every player possesses. She’ll be the type of player you can count on making a penetrating run in the 80th minute. She’ll never give up on a ball and will fight tooth and nail to regain possession of the ball when lost. Her mentality to succeed will be second to none on this team.”
Midfielder
The Nevada midfield will return many of its players from the 2007 season including seniors Jessica Thompson and Miranda Montejo and sophomores Jill Erickson and Alyx Sacks. In addition, Whitney Gilson, who spent most of her time last season playing defense, will make the move to midfield this season. In addition to the returners, freshmen Sarah Voss and Annabelle Allen will challenge for playing time in the midfield.
Thompson, who is Nevada’s career leader in assists with 15, started all 18 games for Nevada last season and ended the year third on the team in points with nine (five goals and two assists). She ended the season second on the team in minutes played with 1452:00.
“Jessica is one of the most technical players on our team. She passes the ball very well and is starting to compete for 50/50 balls better,” Frias said.
Also returning to the Nevada midfield is one of the most decorated players in Nevada school history, Miranda Montejo. Montejo was named to the 2008 WAC Preseason Team and is Nevada’s all-time leader in points (44) and has recorded 17 career goals, two away from claiming first place in the all-time record book. She appeared in all 18 games last season and made 11 starts while recording eight points (three goals and two assists).
“Miranda is one of our central midfielders,” Frias said. “Technically she’s sharp and her ability to recognize a shooting moment has improved tremendously.”
Sophomores Jill Erickson and Alyx Sacks will also return this season. Erickson played in all 18 games as a freshman in 2007 and made 12 starts. She ended the season with five points (two goals and one assist). Sacks appeared in nine games as a rookie last season and took two shots during the year.
“Our staff really pushed Jill outside her comfort zone when we forced her to play defensive center mid this past spring. She responded well to the challenge and has become one of the most dominant players in the air,” Frias said. “Alyx is a player that never stops getting better. She’s probably the strongest player on the team and her mental toughness is second to none. We will look for Alyx to score lots of goals for us this year.”
In addition Whitney Gilson, who spent most of last season playing defense for the Pack, will look for playing time in the midfield this season. She played in 15 games last season and made 12 starts for Nevada. She was a key part of Nevada’s defense that recorded three shutouts on the season and she was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts.
“Whitney is someone who has worked extremely hard in the off-season rehabbing her ankle from surgery,” Frias said. “I’m anxious to see Whitney on the field fighting for every ball on the defensive side.”
Freshmen Annabelle Allen, Sarah Voss and Ellie Stott will join the Pack midfield this fall. Allen played club soccer for Colorado Rush for 12 seasons and won a Region IV Soccer Championship and a US Youth Soccer National Championship in 2008. She won State Cup six times with her club team and was a member of the Olympic Development State Team in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
“Annabelle is a true outside player. She has the lung capacity to get up and down the line all day and the one-vs.-one ability to beat players on the dribble,” Frias said. “She can serve a great ball from the flank and has the mentality to defend throughout the entire match.”
Voss earned four varsity letters in soccer at Spanish Springs High School in Sparks, Nev. Stott, a native of East Gosford, New South Wales, Australia, served as her school’s team captain in 2006 and 2007. Her 2007 team achieved the school’s best result in school history and made it to the top eight schools in the state.
“Sarah is a player with a lot of upside to her. She has the mentality and work ethic to make our team better. She’ll bring a high level of tenacity to every training session and game. We will look to play Sarah as an outside midfielder or forward,” Frias said. “Ellie will most likely play on the defensive side of the ball for us. She’s a technical player who brings a calming factor to the game. Ellie’s height and athleticism allow her to be a dominant presence in the air. Our team should benefit greatly from her international experience.”
Forward
Up top, Nevada returns three big scoring threats in seniors Samantha Miller and Karen Zmirak and sophomore Cristen Drummond. Miller, Zmirak and Drummond have combined for 34 goals, 22 assists and 90 points during their careers at Nevada.
Miller played in 18 of Nevada’s games and made 17 starts in 2007. She recorded two goals and one assist during the year and is fourth all-time in career points with 36. Zmirak, who is second all-time in career points with 41, played in 17 games last season and made 10 starts. She ended the year with a team-leading 15 points on five goals and five assists.
“Sammy is one of the fastest players on our team and in our conference. We will look for Sammy to be an attacking threat,” Frias said. “Karen is an extremely technical player and can shoot a ball better than most. She’s a free kick specialist and very dangerous when given a set piece around the box.”
Drummond appeared in all 18 matches as a freshman in 2007 and made 14 starts. She ended the year second on the team in points with 13 and tied with Zmirak for the team lead in goals with five. Drummond also finished the season second on the team in shots with 35.
“Cristen’s combination of speed and endurance make her a very dangerous outside player,” Frias said. “She’s gotten better at crossing the ball and is very good in 1-vs.-1 battles.”
Looking to challenge the Pack forwards are freshmen Katie Catricala and Natalie Ratnavira. Catricala earned three varsity letters in soccer and won two Delta River League Conference Championships with St. Francis Catholic High School in Sacramento, Calif. Ratnavira attended Fallbrook High School in Fallbrook, Calif. and earned four varsity letters in soccer. She won three Avocado League Championships and was named to the All-Avocado League Second Team three times and was also a three-time All-North County honoree.
“Katie is another attacking addition to our team. Technically, she is very sharp. She’s good at winning balls in the air and should do very well battling for crosses and flighted balls. We will look for Katie to be dominant on set pieces as well,” Frias said. “Natalie is a player who should make an immediate impact on the attacking side of the ball. Her excellent mobility off the ball coupled with her speed and quickness is something that will add to our team’s attacking scheme. She will most likely be a fan favorite when she has the ball at her feet.”
