Agnes Scott College

Coach Bergin on Soccer
In 2007, a senior laden Agnes Scott College Women’s soccer team posted the most wins (12) in a season since 1999. Included in those wins was the first ever over a nationally ranked opponent (Rhodes College). Additionally the graduating seniors finished their ASC career with 39 wins, the most in any four-year period. Losing six starters, including leading scorer Aimee Kahn-Foss, will no doubt leave a huge void for the Scotties. As a result the 2008 roster will feature 13 players with less than two years of experience.

“There is no denying that we are losing some real quality,” Head Coach Joe Bergin said. “These players have left ASC Soccer in much better shape than it was when they arrived. But to continue our level of success we are going to need some of the younger players to step up and contribute immediately.”

However, losing such a high number of skilled players does not mean the Agnes Scott cupboard is bare. In fact, the Scotties return four of eight Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC) All-Conference team members from last season, including D3kicks.com All Region player Caitlin Suilmann (Powder Springs, GA).

On the defensive side, the Scotties return all-conference players in senior goalkeeper Jessica Jones (Athens, GA) and junior defender Taryn Marashi (Knoxville TN). “We are going to lean on the leadership and organizational skills of these two experienced players,” Bergin said.

Coming into the start of camp the midfield is a bit unsettled. Suilmann returns after her stellar first year in the center of the midfield. But little else is decided. “We took some real hits in this part of the field so we need some players to come into preseason and win some spots. They will be there for the taking,” Bergin said. “Suilmann is a wonderful driven player, but she is going to need help.”

The Scotties set a school record for goals a year ago with 61, but Bergin doesn’t see a repeat this season. “I would be foolish to think that we could do this again and at the end of the day, a 1-0 win is the same as a 5-2 win.”

Second leading scorer Erica Eiring (Augusta, GA) returns, but Bergin expects to move her to what he believes is her more natural defensive position. “Eiring picked up 10 goals last season, but I think she will help the team more in the back this year.”

To fill the void, Bergin is moving sophomore Kelsey Shaul (Kennesaw, GA) from the midfield to the forward spot. As a first year last season, Shaul was beginning to make significant contributions to the team. Unfortunately, she went down with a torn hamstring and missed a major portion of the season. She recovered for the second half of the season and was named to the conference’s All-Freshman Team. “Kelsey is a strong player and I have seen her play forward for her club team, so I expect this to be a smooth transition,” Bergin said.

This year’s schedule features two teams that made the NCAA tournament a year ago, Emory University and Maryville College. Making its debut on the Scottie’s schedule is the Smart Women Sweat Challenge, hosted by Agnes Scott. Scheduled for Sept 13th and 14th, the tournament features all-women’s colleges. Joining the Scotties will be Peace College, Salem College and Meredith College.

The Scotties finished tied for second in the conference last season, their third, second place finish in a row. Maryville College has won the past six GSAC titles and Bergin believes they are the odds on favorite once again. “Maryville returns nearly all of its players on the offensive end and they led the nation in scoring a year ago. Our conference has its work cut out if someone other than Maryville wants to hoist the trophy,” Bergin said.

Agnes Scott opens the season August 29th on the road against cross-town foe Oglethorpe University, the first of four road games to begin the season. The Scotties begin conference play at home against LaGrange College on September 17th.