2010 Roster | 2010 Schedule

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The women's soccer program took big steps in 2009 and under second year head coach Chris Allen, they will look to take even more towards the top of the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) this season.

After a program history record breaking first year in charge, coach Allen and his staff are looking for a similar impact in the fall of 2010. The Lady Panthers return 13 players and have 11 new faces that will bolster the squad's quality and raise expectations. The team features six seniors completing their four year careers at DU, and they will play a big role in leading the team both on and off the field. There will be three players transferring in from NCAA Division 1 programs, four international players and four very talented recruits from all over Michigan added to the Panther squad. After a heartbreaking end to last year's season, the team is highly motivated to continue their push towards the top of the conference.

Goalkeeping

Returning goalkeeper Catherine Howard (Lowell, Mich.), who played every minute of DU's 2009 season, will start her sophomore campaign sidelined with a foot injury. The team hopes that she will heal quickly and be available for selection later in the season. Jessica Bergsma (Hudsonville, Mich.) is coming off a great high school season and will look to step in while Cat recovers from the injury.

Defense

Three seniors will be helping DU protect the goal and offer support from the back. Leah VanLaan (Caledonia, Mich.) has had three great years being a center pin at the back. Ashley DeRuiter (Kentwood, Mich.) who can play down the left or in the middle of defense will also look to finish strongly and will be aided by Jordan Sinclair (Clarkston, Mich.) Sophomore Ashley Roth (Wyoming, Mich.) and Rickilyn Brummel (Grand Rapids, Mich.) complete the returning defending group that only conceded 18 goals in 2009. The newcomers on defense will feature Kirsten Hass (Flint, Mich.), and Laken Duchar-Clark (England). Both are high caliber athletes and have played at the top level in youth soccer.


Midfield

Daniella Bugli (Shelby Twp, Mich.) will again play a major role in the middle of the field finishing her tremendous career in 2010. Megan Powers (HONORS/hometown), also a senior, will unfortunately be sidelined but has played an instrumental role for the team over the past three years. Britteny Willis (Hudsonville, Mich.) will again operate mostly down the left with her great crossing ability and Karitas Elvarsdottir (Akranes, Iceland) comes off an excellent first year with the Panthers as she was a calming and composed influence on the team.  Alyssa Malone (Hudsonville, Mich.) is the sole returning midfield freshman and comes off an exciting start to her tenure at DU. A real menace to opposing defenders, “smallsy” has all the attributes to be a headliner and will continue to learn and develop under the coaching staff.

Similar to the defense, not only does the team have strong returning players, but excellent newcomers, making a solid foundation upon which the team is built. Morgan Britt (Kentwood, Mich.) comes to the team as a junior with vast experience and quality that DU will be fortunate to benefit from.  Savannah Swanson (Cedar Spring, Mich.) is a very impressive player from Cedar Springs who has great pedigree and commitment.

Forwards

Ashley Phillips (Stevensville, Mich.) returns after a record breaking year and is currently the leader in points in a career at Davenport. Kasey Eberlein (Hudsonville, Mich.) comes back as a sophomore after a good first year, and will play either as a striker or outside midfielder. Marybeth McMillan (Middlebury, Ind.)) transfers in adding experience to the attacking line, having had the goal scoring record at NCAA D1 IUPUI in 2009. Thelma Gylfadottir (Akranes, Iceland) and Lizzie Paul (England) add diversity into the mix, as both forwards come from overseas. Gylfadottir and Paul have fantastic resumes and have played with some extremely good teams.  Emily Nielsen (Marshall, Mich.) will return to soccer after starting her career at Davenport on the nationally ranked women's basketball team.

 

Schedule

The schedule changes in 2010 as the conference (WHAC) will feature only one round of games against each other as DU will host two of the top teams from 2009 in Siena Heights and Aquinas as well as a third league game against Indiana Tech.  The Lady Panthers open their season on the road at Concordia University (Ill.) and then open at home on September 1 against Albion College and will travel to Malone, Illinois Tech and Kalamazoo College.