By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GreenBayPhoenix.com
GREEN BAY, Wis.
(GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Having
arrived on campus in late July to begin preparations for the 2012 season, the
Green Bay women's soccer team will kick off the Phoenix athletics schedule on
Saturday afternoon when it hosts Drake in exhibition action at Aldo Santaga Stadium
at 1 p.m. Admission to the contest is free.
Green Bay will officially open the 2012 season at home
on Friday, Aug. 17, welcoming South Dakota State to Santaga Stadium for a 7
p.m. contest.
The Phoenix, under the direction of fifth-year head
coach Trevor Warren, is coming off
two of the best defensive seasons in school history. Green Bay surrendered one
or zero goals in 14 of its 18 contests in 2011 and gave up just 16 goals
through its first 17 matches. In 2010, the Phoenix allowed just 15 goals in 16
contests, tying a school record (1993) for the fewest goals allowed in a
season. The team's 0.88 goals-against average was the third lowest in program
history.
To continue its strong defense, Green Bay will have to
successfully replace graduated goalkeeper Maddie Drusch, who finished her career as the school's all-time leader in goals against
average and saves. A trio of keeper are on the 2012 roster, including senior Jennifer Sturchio (Rochester, Minn.),
sophomore Katy Pilarzyk (Madison,
Wis.) and freshman Nastacia Behle
(St. Paul, Mo.).
Chanel Aries (Calgary, Alberta) and Megan Braatz (Waukesha, Wis.) join Sturchio to give the Phoenix a
trio of seniors. Braatz led the team in scoring in 2010 with two goals and two
assists.
Junior forward Hekla Palmadottir (Akranes, Iceland) returns after leading the Phoenix
offensively with three goals and three assists despite missing five games a
season ago.
The Phoenix will have a young squad, with freshmen and
sophomores compiling 23 of 29 players. To read more about Warren's recruiting
class, click here.
###
For the latest and most up-to-date information
on Green Bay Athletics, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix, @GBPhoenixWSOC and @GBGavin.
Like Green
Bay Phoenix women's soccer
and Green Bay Phoenix Athletics on Facebook.
