the university daily kansan
sports
wednesday,august27,2003
Women's soccer coach finds speed as team's weapon
By Nikki Nugent
nnuget@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Trying to keep up with the University of Kansas women's soccer team this season may be tougher than ever.
In a press conference yesterday, women's soccer coach Mark Francis said the team was the most talented he had coached at the University. They might be the fastest, too.
Francis said speed would be an important factor for the team, which was very young defensively, but full of talent. Though it may take time for the defense to gel, it has the potential to be very good, he said.
"We have a lot of speed in the
"We have a lot of speed in the back which is good because if we do get caught out of position a little bit, tactically especially, we have the speed to recover."
Mark Francis Women's soccer coach
back, which is good because if we do get caught out of position a little bit, tactically especially, we have the speed to recover," he said.
Francis said he had taken note
of three defensive newcomers,
Nikki Alvarez, Wichita freshman,
Lacey Novak, Overland Park
freshman, and Holly Gault,
Spring Hill freshman.
A quick defense should allow a more threatening attack up front, where the team is solid, with seven players competing for three starting spots. The team has never been in the position in which the starters for the first game were unknown, he said.
"It's not because nobody's good enough to start, it's that we feel like we've got several people that could start in those spots," he said.
play a prominent role at the forward spot again this year. He said Smith's time trials proved she was back at her game. Her times have even been faster than last year.
Francis said Caroline Smith, Edina, Minn., sophomore, has bounced back from last year's injury with a vengeance and will
yeah.
"I think that's a credit to Caroline and how hard she's worked," he said. "The training staff and the strength staff did a great job getting her back."
With everything seemingly falling into place, the only thing left is to go out and play the games. Francis said it took more than talent to be successful.
"You have got to have team chemistry, which I think we have," he said. "You've also got to have a little bit of luck."
Edited by Cate Batchelder
Jared Soares/Kansan
Mark Francis, women's soccer coach, answered questions about the team's home-opening match against Northwestern University. Francis also addressed team tactics during the press conference yesterday afternoon at the Hadl Auditorium.
Chastain, Hamm, Scurry highlight U.S. World Cup team
The Associated Press
Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry and Mia Hamm, three stars of the 1999 championship team, were selected yesterday to the U.S. squad for this year's Women's World Cup.
Coach April Heinrichs also chose World Cup veterans Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett for the team that will begin defense of its title Sept. 21.
in Washington.
Heinrichs picked 12 players from the '99 squad that beat China in a penalty kick shootout to win the championship before a soldout Rose Bowl. Chastain put home the winning kick after Scurry made a critical save in the shootout.
Hamm is the leading career scorer in international soccer with 140 goals, while Lilly has the most international appearances.
253. Hamm, Lilly, plus team captains Foudy and Fawcett will be appearing in their fourth World Cup.
Cup.
Playing in their third World Cup will be Chastain, whose shirt-removal celebration of her winning goal four years ago ranks among the most memorable in sports; Tiffeny Milbrett and Tiffany Roberts. Other members of the 1999 squad chosen by Heinrichs were Shannon
MacMillan, Cindy Parlow,
Christie Pearce and Kate
Sobrero.
Soberio.
Eight players will make their debuts in a World Cup: Shannon Boxx, Kylie Bivens, Angelia Hucles, Kiri Mullinix, Cat Reddick, Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner and Abby Wambach.
leadership and the foundation for our consistent performances." Heinrichs said. "I also think this roster reflects an injection of youthful energy and enthusiasm, as it includes a large contingent of young WUSA professionals."
MacMillan, the United States' leading scorer in 2003, had knee surgery May 21 after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the San Diego Spirit. She trained with the national
"The roster is a reflection of the veteran leadership, and heading into this Women's World Cup we will need the veterans to provide
team last week and looked good enough for Heinrichs to include on the team.
The 20 players have a combined 116 games of World Cup experience.
"This is the best roster a U.S. women's national team has ever fielded in a world event." Heinrichs said. "We have experience, composure, athleticism, versatility and depth in every position."
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