Women’s Soccer: Team looks to veterans for defense Defending their turf
In soccer, great emphasis is placed on the last line of defense as a goal or two in a match determines a win or a loss. The female defense team in a tournament shoulder a great burden.
For the Panthers, this may be a good sign as they returned with three starting defenders and one goal keeper who all just entered their junior year at Eastern.
The team, which is presently down by a defender relies heavily on their defense to hold the team up while attempting to stay on the offensive this year.
“When you have fewer players less than what we had previously, its just good to know that we have all played togther for awhile,” junior defender LeeAnne Langsfeld said. “Since we have been together as a group , we know how to look out for each other.”
The other two starter backs deep with Langsfeld, include juniors Morgan Frericks and Lindsey Holcomb. The three are confident that the 2004 season will be a solid one for the defense.
Considering the fact that the three defenders are supported by an exerienced goalie in Groene, communication is not likely to be a problem for the Panthers.
This is especially important this year when contemplate what the added responsibility providing leadership to the defensive ranks would put upon Groene’s shoulders.
Because the team no longer has the sweeper position of the defense held by anyone, the team needs to find somebody else to position the defense in the best way possible.
That responsibility will probably go to the goalie, who has the vision and awareness on the field while the three-man defense attempts to align.
The difference may be subtle, but is one the Panthers feel they can carry out with no real problem.
“With the new formation we defintely notice that there is a difference,” Langsfeld said. “When we get back we’ll be used to one more person being back there, but overall it is something we can handle because of all the experience that we have as a group.”
The team was tested by Notre Dame, which was able to put 37 shots up against the Panthers. They will be put to further test when they meet with Nebraska on Sunday as Eastern travels out to Lincoln.
