2010 Women's Soccer Preview: Midfield

8/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Aug. 20, 2010

MILWAUKEE - Once again, Marquette's strength will be its depth in the midfield with its main goal of possessing the ball and controlling play unchanged. The Golden Eagles will have flexibility to play different formations with different combinations of players. Offensive production won't solely lie on the forwards as each of the returning midfielders has been able to find the back of the net. Returning in the midfield is a core group of seniors that has contributed each of the last three seasons in mainstays Lauren Acree, Julia Victor and Rosie Malone-Povolny.

The trio of Acree, Victor and Malone-Povolny has combined for 122 starts since the 2007 season. Malone-Povolny, a third team All-BIG EAST selection last season, contributed one goal and one assist, while Victor added three assists including two in Marquette's BIG EAST Championship title game 2-1 loss to Notre Dame.

Given their maturity on the field, these three will be looked upon to create many opportunities for MU's offensive attack.

Senior Kristi Laurenzi and sophomore Lisa Philbin also return giving Marquette extra experience in the midfield. Laurenzi has proved to be a valuable reserve and has the versatility to play just about anywhere on the field.

Philbin, who sat out the 2009 season due to health reasons, had a productive spring campaign and summer with her club team FC Delco Fury winning the Region I Championship. With Philbin back in the lineup, Marquette will have another scoring threat in its opponents' lower third.

Rachel Brown grew up quickly her freshman season and played a key role on MU's attack off the bench. Brown played in 17 games as freshman, and Roeders expects her to continue to grow in the attacking midfielder position.

Newcomers Kate Reigle, Cara Jacobson, Taylor Madigan have all had a productive preseason training camp and will look to contribute as they continue to adjust to the collegiate game. Megan Jaskowiak, a sophomore transfer, also has the ability to contribute immediately. Jaskowiak was a key contributor at Missouri State as a freshman, chipping in eight points on two goals and four assists.

Jacobson, Reigle and Acree used the summer to familiarize themselves with each other as teammates on the Women's Premier Soccer League's FC Milwaukee team. Along with MU teammates Katie Hishmeh, Emily Jacobson, Ally Miller and Stephanie Vasos, they helped FC Milwaukee to the Midwest North Division title and a third place overall finish in the league.