| Dropping
Out of Sight |
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UNC
Charlotte
The 49'ers lose 6 starters including their entire defense. This is one
of the most decimated teams as 10 seniors leave the program and only 6
freshmen and 3 starters remain—not even enough to field an 11 man
team. The big losses are Keeper Jessica Brooks and All America
Christina Papp. Sarah Currie, Weaver, and Lewis
will also be missed. Despite the setbacks, Coach Robbie Church
does return six of his top eight scorers including two All C-USA players
in Jill Currie and Meredith Mayo as well as freshman
standout Sarah Hughes. However, for the 49ers in the Spring
season, no ranking or NCAA action this time around.
|
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Georgia
The biggest losses of any team are suffered at Georgia who has 7
full-time starters departing as well as All Americas Stephanie Yarem
and Suzannah Weathersbee who started sparingly in '98. This
spring season team has little chance at any ranked wins. Coach
Barker loses over 83% of his offense, including Aiken, Ahern,
Thornbury and Weathersbee. The departure of a whopping
14 seniors leaves the Bulldogs relying on Bongiovanni, Bertcher
and Williams. Georgia has a deep roster to work with but losing
so many seniors will create an entire rebuilding project down in Athens.
It may be a year or two before we see the Bulldogs back in the national
rankings.
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Pacific
An incredible '98 campaign is forgotten quickly with the departure of
Dorr, Woolgar and Vlasek along with three other
starters. Coach Keith Coleman must find offense fast as almost
60% of his scoring is gone. Not only do the Tigers lose offense, but
Vlasak and Dysart were steady in the back so this team
is thin across the line now. Pacific's run to the NCAA in '98 may take a
couple of years to repeat. However, the Tigers did surprise in '98 and
Coach Coleman used lots of players to win a Big West title. That
experience could help quickly, especially if others can step up to join
Jamee Luchessi (3rd leading scorer in '98) and become a force again
in the West.
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James
Madison
The Dukes just made the '98 field but wouldn't come close in a spring
season as 6 starters disappear. Lots of rebuilding to do here for Coach
Dave Lombardo. With Cioffi, J Williams and Wolden
all departing, the Dukes lose over 62% of their offense. JMU used lots
of players in '98 and will field a strong team but definitely one
several notches below what opponents have come to expect from one of the
top teams in the CAA. The Dukes will need more "starting"
talent to be competitive at an elite level and make the NCAA field.
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UC
Irvine
UCI goes down quickly with 5 starters graduating. Bucciarelli
and Zimmerman are big losses for the Anteaters while Ferrara
and Holt will also be missed. Coach Marine Cano always
fields a competitive team and losing five starters and two others could
be less critical for this program than others. Still, UCI is not a team
that would fare well in a Spring Season although this is the type of
program that doesn't need star players to get back in the national
picture.
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South
Florida
The dream season doesn't repeat as the Bulls lose 4 starters. The drop
will be due mainly to the loss of Kristine Edner who has keyed
the Bulls rise to the top of C-USA. Sobush and Campbell
will also be major losses as USF will try to continue its climb to the
nation's elite. Coach Logan Fleck does return an experience corp
of veterans and could still be a team which causes trouble. Playing in
the highly under rated Conference USA is one reason this program will be
overlooked again.
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Wisconsin
The Badgers dip again after the departure of 5 starters. A perennial
national power, Wisconsin rebounded well in '98 after a disappointing
'97 campaign. However, Coach Dean Duerst may be faces with a
similar situation now with the losses of All America Shannon Brown,
top scorer De Biovanni along with Hoelter and Miller.
The good news is that Allison Wagner and Jennifer Wright
lead a very young team consisting of thirteen current freshmen that
are ready to continue the Badgers tradition. Of all the teams on a
downward spiral, this is one that could stay afloat with so much young
talent gaining experience the last two years.
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California
No chance for another first round NCAA exit this time as 5 starters
leaving the Bears will leave Cal out of any rankings and tournaments.
Fouts, McManus, Stanton and Hunt are all
key losses for Coach Kevin Boyd. However, if any team has an
argument that they won't be slipping, it's this one. The Bears shared
the wealth last year among a deep roster as several players contributed
in part to Cal's success in '98. Particularly, Stuhlmueller,
Zabata, and Sabo will be major factors for the Bears
continued stay among the nation's best. If Cal slips, it won't be much
and, without a doubt, Coach Boyd will get his team back in the running
in the Fall.
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Harvard
Four departing seniors may not be catastropic but in Harvard's case,
the losses were huge. The Crimson make the biggest fall of all. One word
might sum up Harvard's predicament-Emily. All America Emily Stauffer
rejuvenated this team when she returned in '98 after a year off. But the
losses don't stop there. Naomi Miller, Jennifer Burney
and Devon Bingham will be gone from the Crimson line as will
Jaime Chu, Brynne Zuccaro, Bagley and
Marynick. Coach Tim Wheaton will be hard pressed to
duplicate the feat from '98 or '96 with the remaining roster. He can
find solace in a large roster that always seems to be competitive in the
tough Ivy League. Keeping this program among the nation's best will be
no problem, but getting the current roster to the same level is a
challenge no one expects to be easy.
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George
Mason
At least 5 starters say goodbye as the Patriots fail to rebound from a
no bid in '98. Nelson, Berra, Jones and Pagliarulo
are the key losses for GMU. Coach Jac Cicala may be on a slight
dive with key losses across the field. The Patriots do have a big
nucleus of freshmen and sophomores along with junior Jaime Ricker
to build on. Coach Cicala always brings in super talent so the subs and
youngsters on the roster should keep the Patriots competitive in the
CAA. However, the national limelight will be a little cloudy until
reinforcements are brought in.
|
| Next
Week: Are there any new schools we might be seeing among the
nation's best soccer programs?... Find out on Tuesday, February 9 in the
Final Edition of Soccer Buzz' Spring '99 Series. |
| Top
| Part 1 | Part
2 | Part 3
| Part 4
| Part 5
| Part 6 |
Part 7 |
