Underclassmen making impact

At the end of last season, the UVU women’s soccer team flexed its muscle in finishing off a tough season by winning the United Soccer tournament championship. The special thing about last season is that there wasn’t a single senior on the team, and this year that will pay dividends.

All the key contributors from a season ago return with more experience and more minutes played. Forward Jenni Clough returns as the primary playmaker for the Wolverines after adding to her impressive resume by becoming the career-scoring leader at UVU. The other forward position returns starter Shantae Adams-Yeats who netted five goals last season.

Another attacker returning this season is sophomore Katey Turner whose hustle and effort puts her in position to succeed all over the field. Her three goals last year tied her for third on the team.

In the midfield, the Wolverines are stacked with sophomores who have game experience including Andi Bagdan and Lauren Bluth. Junior Adrienne Schneider will also help UVU control possession from the midfield — she contributed with four goals and four assists last season.

On the defensive end of the field, experience will play a major role. Senior leader Mallory Schott will be between the pipes, bringing with her a .752 save percentage from last season. To help the defense will be returning starter Brooke Salcido who started all 20 games in 2007.

Another contributing factor to a successful season for the Wolverines will be the schedule. While UVU will play two teams from the Mountain West Conference, the schedule is a little more manageable than last season’s. Apart from playing Wyoming and New Mexico on the road every game, the Wolverines play is a winnable one. And don’t count the Wolverines out even against teams that are bigger, faster and stronger.