Aug. 28, 2007

Romeoville, Ill. - First-year head coach Chris Koenig has high expectations for the women's soccer program at Lewis University. Koenig is looking for excellence on and off the field, and is setting goals such as making the conference tournament, earning the highest grade point average in the athletic department and the most Delahanty awards, Lewis' award for academic excellence among student athletes.

"We're going to work just as hard, if not harder, than everyone else in everything we do," Koenig said. "We'll focus on team building and we're going to build a tight-knit group."

Koenig believes building a hard working, cohesive team will lead to success.

"I want to win but I also want every player to graduate in four years and feel great about their experience," Koenig said. "If they feel great about their choice of Lewis they will tell others."

Koenig brings energy to a program which is looking for a return to the conference tournament.

"The girls are really buying into things and working hard," said Koenig. "They want it. It's just a matter of improving each day and keeping them focused on short term, measurable goals so we know if we are progressing toward our long term aspirations."

Part of improving as a team is improving as an individual. To help his players improve, Koenig made Jennifer Pfeiffer assistant coach. Pfeiffer brings extensive training experience and will focus on individual player development.

"I think all Jennifer does in a day is eat, sleep and train players," Koenig joked. "She's great at what she does and is going to be a key part of our success this year and beyond."

The 2007 Flyers feature only two seniors. The rest of the roster consists of eight juniors, six sophomores and five freshmen.

Allison Wilkerson is the anchor of the Flyers' defense. The senior has improved each year of her Flyers career. She made All-GLVC honorable mention her sophomore year and last season she was named to the All-GLVC Second Team. She tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (2), ranked second on the team in goals (2) and was third in points (5).

"Allison is a captain and the bar is set very high for her," Koenig said. "She has adjusted well to some changes in how we will play defense this year and I'm expecting a lot from her. I believe in team goals first, but I'd love to see Allison recognized for her work and repeat as all-conference in 2007."

Midfielder Sarah Lyons is the second senior on the roster.

"We have such a small senior class. It is important that Sarah can have an impact this year," Koenig said. "She really wants to be a leader and is embracing that role."

The Flyers are fortunate to return several experienced starters in juniors Courtney Kettel, Caitlin Kelly, Elaine Felten, Heather Ywaniw, and Sarah Ybarra.

Kettel, a midfielder, led the team in points (9) and tied for team lead in goals (4) last year. She will be a key part of the Lewis attack in 2007.

"Our attack will be the best when Courtney is on the field," Koenig said. "I have very high expectations for her. She can be an all-conference performer if she wants it."

"Caitlin is a blue-collar player. I've been very impressed with her," Koenig said. "She is very consistent and is one of the captains this year."

Felten joins Caitlin on defense again this year. Last year Felten jumped to a solid start but suffered a season-ending knee injury in her ninth game.

"Elaine is a true gamer. She is the type of person you want on your side if you are going into a tough game," Koenig said. "Simply put, when she is on the field our chances of winning are better."

Lewis will rely on midfielders Ywaniw and Ybarra to achieve a sustained attack. Koenig likes Ywaniw's versatility and Ybarra's speed and energy.

Sophomore defender Erin Beddows will likely see plenty of time playing next to Wilkerson. In her freshman season Beddows gained valuable experience playing in 19 games and starting 17. She finished second on the team in shots on goal (12). After a successful freshman campaign she is starting to take a leadership role.

"I've noticed Erin stepping up and acting and playing like an older player," Koenig said. "She reads the game well and is good on the ball. We will rely on her quite a bit."

Fellow sophomore Ashley Devine will also look to improve on her freshman year in which she started 10 games.

"Ashley has a good shot and can score from the back if needed," Koenig said. "We'll need consistency from her this year."

A big question for the 2007 Flyers will be in goal. Last year's starting goalkeeper Lindsay Frederick, fourth in career saves (367), has graduated; now it will be up to Koenig to select from four young keepers to replace Frederick. Sophomore Lisa Raciak is one possibility. Raciak backed up Frederick last year but played in only one game, stopping five shots. Koenig has brought in two freshmen, Megan George and Andrea Iossi, to compete for the starting spot with Raciak. Nicole Banaszewski redshirted last season and returns in 2007. Who wins the starting spot remains to be seen, but Koenig has liked what he has seen from each keeper.

"Lisa was open to bringing in freshmen to challenge her, and that's exactly the response I wanted to see from her," Koenig said. "She has a great approach to the game and has made huge gains through the spring. She is going to make the competition very difficult."

Koenig's optimism extends to freshman Iossi.

"She's worked hard on controlling the box and getting crosses down," Koenig said. "Andrea doesn't seem to be overwhelmed by her new surroundings at all, and she is getting better everyday."

Koenig has similar accolades for his other freshman George.

"Megan has great technical training," Koenig said. "She needs some experience in high pressure situations but is very strong and athletic and I want her competing for the top spot."

Banaszewski rounds out the Flyers four possibilities in goal.

"Nicole is a redshirt sophomore following a knee injury last year. She is constantly working hard and pushing the other keepers," Koenig said.

Koenig's enthusiasm for his freshmen class goes beyond the goalkeepers. Freshman forward/midfielder Jessica Summers-Hernandez has impressed Koenig so far with her speed, ability to play the ball well and ability to keep her smarts about her on the field.

"I'm just going to have to have her on the field somewhere," he said. "Even as a freshman our attack will need to go through her."

Freshman defender Gaurke could also find an important role on the team.

"Ashley is really pushing for playing time. She'll see some time deep in the back, but I'll probably try her in different places," Koenig said. "I could really see her earning significant minutes this year."

Lewis will face a demanding schedule that includes non-conference games at Grand Valley State and Northern Michigan. They also have conference road games at Quincy and Southern Illinois Edwardsville.

"The schedule is tough, but you don't get better playing bad teams," Koenig said. "I want players who live for the competition we will face in the GLVC."

Regardless of the competition, Koenig is optimistic about the future.

"The support we get at Lewis is fantastic. There is lots of energy in the entire athletic department," Koenig said. "I'm really excited about where we are going."