2006 Season Preview
Would you like to see the future of women’s soccer at Alma College?Meet Jeff Hosler and the 2006 women’s soccer team under his direction in his debut year at the collegiate coaching level. Hosler could not be more excited, optimistic and committed to the future of the program at Alma. With 17 women returning from last year’s team and anticipating at least 10 newcomers, Hosler and the Scots are anxious to get to work when they report for pre-season camp on August 20th at Scotland Yard.
“We’re selling the future,” states Hosler, who joined the Alma College Athletic Department staff this spring. “Women’s soccer at Alma College is heading in an exiting, new direction and we’ve got a great group of players who can make this team and this program one to contend with in the MIAA.”
Hosler took over the women’s soccer program after the departure of long-time coach Chi Ly in January 2006. Ly coached the Scots for eight seasons, compiling a record of 55-87-9 while directing the Maroon and Cream.
The 2006 season inevitably holds changes for the team, from the coach standing at the sideline to the style of play.
Hosler’s team will feature backs with good understanding of the game who are not afraid to go up against anyone and play very physical, cerebral midfielders that distribute well and keep everyone on the field involved and forwards that run at defenders and use their creativity to provide scoring chances.
With the implementation of a new style of play, Hosler knows there will be bumps along the way as the team grows into its potential, but he’s also depending on his returners to commit to vying for a conference title in the near future.
“All of the players are very open-minded about the changes for the betterment of the program. All of us have the same goals of making this a winning program,” says Hosler.
In 2005, Alma finished 5-14-1 for the season and 4-12-0 in the conference, ending seventh overall. The Scots scored 16 goals with 35 goals against, scoring 13 goals in MIAA games and allowing 32.
“Our goal this year is to score more than 16 goals before the conference season starts,” Hosler states, nearly defiant. “There is no reason that this team and this program cannot compete at the highest level of this conference. Historically, every other team at Alma College, at some time or another, has played for the MIAA title. I’m anxious to make that a reality for the women’s soccer program.”
With his emphasis on defense, Hosler will sorely miss the work of Pam McCarthy and Brandi Wright, both goalkeepers who graduated in the spring of 2006. With 10 newcomers preparing for pre-season camp and as many as 15 – including transfers – potentially joining the team, the Scots will have a depth they have not known in the recent past.
“The freshmen who are coming to campus this fall are characterized by their athleticism and this will continue to be a trend of incoming classes,” Hosler says.
Games are won at practice and Hosler is busy in the off-season preparing an environment that will enhance practice and training sessions, making them enjoyable while remaining at the highest possible level of competitiveness. Additionally, Hosler is working to make improvements to the Scots’ home venue at Scotland Yard to truly create the finest soccer facility in the MIAA and one of the best at the Division III level.
The Scots open the season with their traditional alumni scrimmage on August 26 at 11 a.m. at Scotland Yard before traveling to Danville, Ky., for the Centre/Wal-Mart Showcase to open a challenging non-conference schedule. The Maroon and Cream face Centre College under the lights at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 and play Transylvania on Sept. 3 at 11:30 a.m. They remain on the road where they play Heidelberg College on Sept. 6 before opening at home in the Alma-Olivet Weekend Classic against Rowan (N.J.). Rowan ended the 2005 season ranked 16th in the nation.
The Scots open MIAA play on Sept. 23 at Olivet and travel to St. Mary’s on Sept. 27 before opening the MIAA home schedule Sept. 30 against Adrian. The Scots play four-straight MIAA home games at a critical juncture in the season, including Hope College which ended 2005 ranked 22nd in the country.
“At the point in the season when many teams get tired, we get to come back to Scotland Yard for four home games. That could prove helpful as the season wears on,” Hosler believes.
After the 2005 season when Alma battled against numerous injuries to key personnel throughout the season, Hosler has a healthy team with positive attitudes, ready to get training underway and find success in 2006.
With a fast-paced, aggressive style of play and a new coach at the helm of the program, Alma College women’s soccer will be exciting to watch in 2006 and into the future.
Posted: Wed, July 12th, 2006 at 11:38PM
