Completed Event: Soccer versus BYU on October 30, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 2
Final Score
Soccer
0
vs BYU
2
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The University of Utah Athletics
The 2002 Women's Soccer Outlook
8/26/2002 12:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 26, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY - With a strong returning lineup and a new coaching staff, the Utah women's soccer team is excited about the 2002 season. Rich Manning, who is only the second head coach in Ute soccer history, foresees no real weaknesses with his new team. "I think we are very well balanced," says Manning. "We are very solid all around and that is what is going to separate us from others." Manning's only concern is the amount of time it will take the players and new coaching staff to adjust to each other.
Manning joins the Utah soccer program from Santa Clara, where he was the associate head coach last year and helped guide the Broncos to the NCAA Division I Championship. Prior to 2001, he was an assistant coach for three years.
"I love the game of soccer and I want us to play in an entertaining manner," says Manning. "I want there to be a positive environment where goals can be achieved on and off the field, and I want to represent the community and the University well by not taking shortcuts in the process. I want to play soccer the right way, the skillful way, but also in a winning way." Accompanying Manning in that quest are assistant coaches, Gabriel Bolton, Laurel Simpson-Roderick and Mandy Brettingen.
The coaching staff believes a major element in Utah's favor is the return of 20 players, including seven seniors, from last year's team that finished 11-7-0 overall and 3-3-0 in conference games. Manning feels senior leadership will be the driving force behind the success of the upcoming season.
Two of the returning seniors are attacking forwards Shauna Gurr-Bingham and Katie Tate. The duo will be looked upon to fill the void of Utah's all-time leading scorer Amy Kofoed, who graduated last spring. Last year, Gurr-Bingham was awarded all-Mountain West Conference honors, while Tate tied for fourth on the team in goals (5) and points (14).
In addition to the Utes' returning veterans, Manning believes signee Carisse Winegar will play a large part in the team's success. Winegar was a Utah prep standout at Bountiful High School and should be an added threat for Utah's offensive attack. "Carisse is very athletic and strong," remarks Manning. "She is a very good all-around player, and the coaching staff feels she has great potential."
Also joining the team, is freshman Katie Battazzo from Boise, Idaho. "Katie has a good sense of the game," says Manning. "She is excellent in the air and is a fearless competitor." Below is a position-by-position breakdown for the 2002 season.
FORWARDS
Shauna Gurr-Bingham and Katie Tate will lead the Utes' offense this season. Gurr-Bingham is tied for second in the school record books in career assists (16). The senior was second on the team last season in goals (8), assists (4) and points (20). Tate, also a senior, converted three game-winning goals last season to lead the team. "I'm expecting a lot out of Shauna and Katie this season," states Manning. "Shauna is very quick and explosive. She is great at breaking down defenses. Katie plays very well with her back to the goal and she has a knack for scoring goals."
Another up and coming attacking force for the Utes, is sophomore Julie Herdic. Herdic performed well in her freshman season, scoring four goals and adding one assist for nine points. "Julie is one of our best defensive forwards," says Manning. "She has a great ability for scoring goals as well." Junior Missy Dennis should play a part in bolstering the Utes' scoring attack. Last season, she was third on the team in goals (6), fifth in points (12) and first in shot percentage (.375).
Junior Bobbie Benegas is another player looking for playing time at forward and in the midfield. "Bobbie is a very speedy and creative player," boasts Manning. "She saw a lot of playing time during the spring practices.
MIDFIELD
Manning expects Amber Brower to be the midfield leader this season. Brower earned second team all-MWC honors last year after racking up two assists and two points in a stellar effort. Sophomore Tracy Stratton looks promising in the midfield, after recovering well from an ankle injury that forced her to miss all of last season. "Tracy played very well during the spring practices," says Manning. "She is very dominating and good in the air."
Junior Heather Wilhelm-Carter accounted for one assist and three points last season and has been a starter since joining the Utes. The coaching staff believes sophomore Erin Pruitt brings tenacious defense, as well as a great ball handling ability, to the table. Junior Esther Imotan possesses both quickness and creativity in the midfield that will also add to the Utes' attack.
DEFENDERS/ GOALKEEPERS
Utah possesses a strong and experienced backline with three of the four starters returning. Seniors Maren Harper, Megan Maxwell and junior Jen Williams will be the defensive powerhouses the Utes use to stop opposing teams' scoring. "Maren is the player in the back everyone looks up to," claims Manning. "She is going to be the backbone of our defense and we are going to rely a lot on her for leadership."
The Utes return both goalkeepers from last season in senior Courtney Hills-McBeth and junior Lynnsey Asay-Kimball. "We are very experienced in front of the goal this year," remarks Manning. "Both athletes are very competitive, and I expect to see them sharing a lot of time throughout the season." Hills-McBeth ranks second in the Utah record books in career goalie saves (261). She also ranks second and third, respectively, in individual season goalie saves with 114 in 1999 and 112 in 2000. "Courtney is an excellent leader in the back," states Manning. "She is very good at organizing the defense and she also works well with her feet."
Asay-Kimball allowed only 11 goals in 12 games last year for a 0.99 goals against average. She also earned a second-place conference ranking in shutouts (6). "Lynnsey is very good in the air," says Manning. "She has good foot skills and provides a big frame in the goal."
SCHEDULE
The Utes face a tough schedule that includes several nationally ranked teams from last season. Along with the season opener at home against Portland, a top-five team from a year ago, Manning foresees the contests against San Diego State, UNLV, Kentucky and arch rival Brigham Young as being keys to Utah becoming an NCAA contender.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to host and play such talented teams," says Manning. "It is a great opportunity for us and also for the fans to see great soccer games."
"I'm expecting this season to be one with a lot of excitement and competition, Manning concludes. "We performed well in the spring and I'm eager to get started." Utah's season opener against Portland is on Sept. 1 at Ute Field. The Utes open conference play on Oct. 12 against Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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