Upcoming Event: Soccer at Arizona on October 10, 2025 at 7 p.m.
7 p.m.
Soccer
at Arizona
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
2001 Utah Soccer Outlook
8/7/2001 12:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 7, 2001
With all 11 starters returning, the Utah women's soccer team will lean on experience in its seventh season. Head Coach Amy Winslow, the only coach in Utah soccer history, believes this will be the first Utah team to push for a national ranking and an NCAA Tournament bid. This 2001Utes boast of something they have lacked in previous years: multiple scoring threats. Comprising a triple scoring threat for the Utes is senior Amy Kofoed, and juniors Shauna Gurr-Bingham and Katie Tate. Kofoed led the team in points (36) and goals (16) last season. Gurr-Bingahm led the team in assists (12) in 2000 and scored five goals, while Tate was second only to Kofoed in goals (12) and points (30). Kofoed enters the season four goals shy of breaking Staci Burt's all-time record of 38 and securing her place as one of the best Utes ever. "Amy should break the record early in the season," states Winslow. "She's a great athlete and deserves the record." Looking ahead, Winslow says, "This team is mature and talented. If we avoid any major injuries, we are going to be very good."
The coaching staff believes there are no holes on the field with this team. Each position possesses a mature and experienced player.
Since the Utes didn't lose any starters, the competition for starting positions may prove as exciting as the competition in games. "We're a young enough team that athletes won't play just because of seniority," declares Winslow. Watch for competitive battles from the forward positions to keeper for playing time.
Perhaps the biggest change Winslow envisions from last year will be on the defensive side, where a sophomore dominated Ute club struggled in 2000. In the off-season, the Utes set individual and team defense goals, with the hope of improving up and down the field. "I can't say enough about the awesome spring we had," says Winslow. Another area the team stressed was the psychological side of soccer. The athletes learned how to be "task cohesive," which in layman's terms means "getting the job done." In addition to bringing back a veteran team, Winslow believes she has signed her best recruiting class to date. Georgia high school standout Julie Herdic will bring a massive scoring attack to Utah. Herdic scored 210 goals during her prep career, ranking her fourth all-time in the nation. She posted 63 goals in her senior season at McIntosh High School (Georgia) and was named an NSCAA/Adidas All-American twice. "Julie is a great recruit for us," says Winslow. "She had an amazing prep career and has the opportunity for a great college career at Utah."
Erin Pruitt comes in from California as a four-sport letterwinner and will add height and toughness to the Ute attack. Winslow claims, "Erin is tough and very athletic, which is what this team needs." North Carolina headliner Lauren Field has several prep and club playoff games under her belt and will look to help the Utes. "Lauren is the dark horse of the group," says Winslow. "College coaches from all over the nation are talking about how athletic and talented she is."
Forwards
Amy Kofoed, Shauna Gurr-Bingham and Katie Tate will be the top forwards for the Utes. Kofoed, first team all-Mountain West Conference in 1999 and 2000, was named to the SoccerBuzz all-West Region second team this year. The senior forward finished second in the conference in goals (16). Gurr-Bingham led the team in assists (12) and scored 22 points last season. The junior tri-captain was named to the all-MWC second team. Tate finished her sophomore season second on the team in points (30) and goals (12). She was named to the all-MWC second team for her standout season. "Shauna, Katie and Amy worked hard this spring on team work. The mentality of a forward is to score goals, but these three are learning how to assist each other," explains Winslow. On the heels of the top three are sophomores Missy Dennis and Bobbie Benegas. "Missy has an incredible eye for the game and has so much tenacity when she plays," boasts Winslow. Dennis played well in the last few games of the season and is pushing for a playing spot. "Bobbie finished the season on fire," says Winslow. The coaching staff will also play Benegas in the midfield sometimes to allow her more playing time. Coach Winslow explains, "It's very hard when you have two great players like Missy and Bobby sitting." Freshman Julie Herdic is the youngest of the forwards, but brings a scoring mindset to the team. She is expected to see time off the bench as a forward and possibly a midfielder.
Midfield
Sophomore Amber Brower finished the spring strong and will be looked upon as a leader this fall. Senior Alli Cerruti is coming into her own in the middle and aspires for another great season. "We are very balanced in the midfield with any combination of three attacking," says Winslow. Heather Wilhelm surprised the coaching staff by winning a starting position during her freshman season and will build from where she left off last year. Sophomore Brianne Chamney was plagued by injuries in the fall, but returned to play very well in the spring. Winslow is excited about the competition for starting positions in the middle.
Defenders/Goalkeepers
The Utes possess a solid back four. Juniors Megan Maxwell and Jen Williams have shown they are ready to shut down any opposing team's attack. Junior Maren Harper and senior Lesa Zollinger continue to work well as a defensive pair. Zollinger was named to the all-MWC second team and the SoccerBuzz all-West Region third team. Sophomore Kari Keddington is nudging the top four for playing time off the bench. In front of the goal, another competition is stirring between junior Courtney Hills and sophomore Lynnsey Asay. "Courtney didn't perform quite as well last season as she did her freshman year, but she made a comeback in the spring," says Winslow. Hills was named to all-MWC second team last year after making the SoccerBuzz all-West freshman and third team in 1999. "Lynnsey is pushing Courtney and looking to play," says Winslow. Asay didn't see much playing time during her rookie season, but Winslow promises more time for her during her sophomore campaign.
Schedule
The Utes have a tough schedule lined up for fall, including eight games against teams that appeared in last year's NCAA Tournament. "We need to play the great teams if we want to get in the NCAA Tournament," states Winslow." The NCAA Tournament has expanded its field from 48 to 64 teams this fall. The Utes will get a test drive on Aug. 25, playing at Idaho State in an exhibition game. The Utes begin regular season on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Fla., where they will meet Florida. Last season the Gators made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The next test for the Utes will be a stretch of home games against three NCAA Tournament participants from a year ago. Arizona State, Marquette and Montana all advanced to the second round of the NCAA's last season and should prove to be challenging games for the Utes. Along with Florida, Winslow sees the games against Portland and Brigham Young as the toughest on the schedule. The Cougars made it to the "Sweet 16" and Portland lost out in the NCAA semifinals to UCLA 1-0. Utah tied for second in the Mountain West Conference with a 4-2 mark a year ago. BYU, which gave Utah one of its two losses in league play, is the early favorite to repeat as the conference champion. However, the competitive play among Utah, BYU and San Diego State creates great battles atop the league. "There is always a great competition between the three teams," states Winslow. "We look forward to that continuing this year." The Utes open conference play on the road against San Diego State on Oct. 11.
Utah Soccer's Ali Swensen - ESPN+ Feature
Saturday, September 27
Utah Soccer's Lilliah Blum - ESPN+ Feature
Wednesday, September 24
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Tony Caridi, voice of the West Virginia Mountaineers
Tuesday, September 23
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Urban Meyer
Wednesday, September 17