A new era opens for Wittenberg women’s soccer as Head Coach Matt Fannon assumes the reins in 2013. Hopes for a smooth transition have been realized thanks to the presence of 15 returning letterwinners, including six starters, as the Tigers look to build on the second North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season title in program history.

If Wittenberg is to exceed the achievements of a year ago, Fannon must get strong performances from his two returning all-conference players. Senior forward Kayla Murphy (Dayton, Ohio/Stebbins) is back after leading the Tigers in goals with seven, including four game-winners, and junior midfielder Tobie Weston (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Christian) has earned All-NCAC awards following each of her first two collegiate seasons. Weston topped the Tigers with four assists in 2012.

They figure to have plenty of experienced company in the attacking third, starting with sophomore forwards Kaylee Gialamas (Willoughby, Ohio/Hawken), who finished with five goals and 11 total points in her inaugural collegiate campaign, and Kate Burns (Granger, Ind./Penn), who added four goals in 2012. In addition, junior Erika Rich (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) is vying for playing time up top. 

In the midfield, a quartet of players who saw action in all 19 games in 2012 are back in the fold, including fifth-year senior Leslie Oliver (Enon, Ohio/Greenon), who inspired her teammates with a recovery from brain cancer. Also patrolling the center of the park will be seniors Katie Murphey (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) and Lindsay Janmey (Hinckley, Ohio/Highland), and junior Chelsey Marcum (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville). 

Defense has plenty of question marks, but Fannon does have some veterans to rely on across the back four, starting with junior Mary Clare Yerke (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), who has played in all 37 games since arriving in Springfield. She will be joined in the center of the defensive alignment by senior Erin Rowell (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Twp.), while sophomores Mackenzie Bolon (Columbus, Ohio/Bexley) and Zoe Curry (Milford, Ohio/Ursuline) will start on the flanks. Sophomore Lauren Arona (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) rounds out the defensive returning letterwinners.

Nine newcomers to the roster will provide depth to the lineup and a starter in goal. Sophomore transfer Maggie Grieser (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) and freshman Kelsey Lorko (Fairview Park, Ohio/Fairview) are competing for the starting nod between the pipes.

Letterwinners Returning: 15
Lauren Arona, Mackenzie Bolon, Kate Burns, Zoe Curry, Kaylee Gilamas, Lindsay Janmey, Chelsey Marcum, Katie Murphey, Kayla Murphy, Leslie Oliver, Erika Rich, Erin Rowell, Jessica Sinclair, Tobie Weston, Mary Clare Yerke 

Letterwinners Lost: 10
Briana Baise, Lauren Bischoff, Kelly Brothers, Amy Cook, Melissa Gartner, Katlyn Ireland, Cassie Lythjohan, Lauren McMahon, Kailey Striebel, Grace Winzeler 

Starters Returning: 6
Mackenzie Bolon, Lindsay Janmey, Katie Murphey, Kayla Murphy, Tobie Weston, Mary Clare Yerke 

Starters Lost: 5
Kelly Brothers, Amy Cook, Cassie Lythjohan, Lauren McMahon, Kailey Striebel