2007 OUTLOOK

Offense is no longer a solo act for the Central College women's soccer team.

While senior forward Tori Rittman takes aim at the school career scoring mark—she needs just five goals to surpass Heather Allbee's record of 44 (1995-98)—Dutch opponents will have other concerns as well.

Rittman had 12 goals and four assists last season but forward Kelli Hancock, now a sophomore, emerged as another offensive threat with eight goals and four assists. The Dutch also got six goals and two assists from midfielder Stephanie Ellwanger. They're among 13 returning letterwinners from last season's 8-9-1 squad.

Coach Rick Burns isn't expecting the magic of Jordan-Pippen or Ruth-Gehrig, but he is nonetheless hopeful that the tandem of Rittman and Hancock will utilize each other's skills enough up front to help push the Dutch back into the Iowa Conference tournament for the first time since 2004.

“They scored 20 goals between them last year,” said Burns, entering his fourth season at Central. “They're the best striking force we've had since I've been here. This is the second year with both of them so I'm hoping they'll now find ways to play better together.”

Rittman made a noisy arrival with a 17-goal freshman season and only injury or a dramatic production drop would prevent her from topping Allbee's goals record.

“Tori is very fast and has wonderful skills,” Burns said. “She's the whole package. Skill is a precondition to everything on the soccer field and she has it.”

Hancock's skills are complementary.

“Kelli is very physical,” Burns said. “She just doesn't give up. But she also has good speed. She plays with great energy. She could run all day.”

The Dutch also appear to be set in the outside midfield with the return of sophomores Jenna Hindman and Jessica Steward. Hindman had four goals and four assists while Steward had one of each.

“They have similar games,” Burns said. “Both are very quick and full of energy. They can run for 90 minutes, and that's the position where you have to run the most. Speed is the key out there.”

Meanwhile Ellwanger, a senior, is the midfield leader.

“Stephanie has excellent vision,” Burns said. “She's the quarterback of the team. She runs things. She'll probably be the attacking midfielder and has a great will to battle.”

Junior Sarah Frese, a two-time letterwinner, was a part-time starter in the midfield as well.

Burns is also counting heavily on the defensive efficiency of senior Rose Feldman and junior Erin Sheehan.

“They're both solid, disciplined players,” Burns said. “They're uncompromising players who win the ball and get it upfield with a minimal amount of fuss, which is crucial to the way we like to play.”

But the Dutch must fill an additional vacancy in back created by the move of senior Michelle Gilbert to her natural position of goalkeeper. She'll replace graduated team leader Ashley Veigelt, who limited foes to 1.65 goals last season. Also bidding for the goalkeeper spot is sophomore Abby Marshall, but Gilbert's experience gives her the early edge. Gilbert was the goalkeeper at Valley High School in West Des Moines as well as in club soccer and in two seasons at Southwest Minnesota before landing at Central.

“Michelle did us a favor in playing in the field last year,” Burns said. “I don't think we'll see a drop-off. She's a little different type of goalkeeper than Ashley (Veigelt). She plays more like a sweeper. She's got great mobility and has the ability to come off her line a bit.”

While Burns likes his returnees, he still must find additional help in the midfield and in the back. He's hopeful that a small but talented incoming class can provide some answers.

Kristi Klatt of Cedar Falls arrives with the glossiest high school resume. Klatt played for the East squad in the Iowa high school all-star game.

“I expect her to challenge in the midfield,” Burns said.

There's even more of a void in the back, so freshmen defenders Alyssa Brobst of Pella , Kristine Kearney of Ames and Brianna Knutson of Marshalltown will be monitored intently in the preseason. They were all-conference players in high school players and Kearney and Knutson were club teammates.

“They're very strong players,” Burns said.

Once it's all sorted out, Burns expects the program's slow but steady progress to continue.

“If we don't get injured we should be a little bit better,” he said. “We have a chance to be more competitive. We still don't have a lot of depth, although we have more than we did before.”

But the non-conference schedule strength has taken a corresponding step upward, with the addition of NCAA Division III tourney participants Augustana ( Ill. ) and Grinnell as well as Bethel ( Minn. ) and William Penn.

“I felt like it was time to improve our schedule,” Burns said. “But we could be a better team with a record that's not as good as last year.”

Simpson and Loras should remain atop the league standings, Burns predicted, noting that each harbors a wealth of returning talent, although Wartburg and Luther are also title threats.

Cracking the top six would secure the elusive league playoff berth for the Dutch. That's not an easy assignment, but Burns said his squad possesses not only the talent but the intangibles to make it an enjoyable ride.

“These players love the game,” he said. “They play together every chance they get in the off-season and there's wonderful chemistry with this group.”