2018 William Penn Women’s Soccer Preview

William Penn University Athletics

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Head Coach Jaymee Highcock interview video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNSWQcgJZxk

2017 record: 9-8-1 (5-6-1 Heart, 8th)
Starters returning/lost: 4/7
Letterwinners returning/lost: 8/11

Notable returners:
Raunice Butler Sr. Nassau, Bahamas
(Honorable-Mention All-America, 13 goals, 1 assist)
Ashley Broeker Sr. Ankeny, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 1 goal, 3 assists)
Laura Cartwright Sr. Brisbane, Australia
(Letterwinner)
Alexandra Benedict Sr. Tustin, Calif.
(Letterwinner, 4 goals, 2 assists)

Notable losses:
Francis Lee
(Four-time all-conference)
Mariah Voight
(All-conference)
Graciela Belmontes
(Three-time letterwinner)
Lily Ocampo
(Two-time letterwinner)

Notable newcomers:
Maddie Graham Jr. Salt Lake City, Utah
Isabella Pirami Fr. Salt Lake City, Utah
Shaytel Nieto Jr. Kansas City, Mo.
Haley Brothers Fr. Kansas City, Mo.

After posting the first winning campaign in 12 years, the William Penn women’s soccer team looks to build upon that momentum as it enters the 2018 season.

Head Coach Jaymee Highcock guided the Statesmen to a 9-8-1 overall record, including a 5-6-1 mark in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Raunice Butler (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas, Physical Education) returns to fuel the navy and gold after becoming the first All-American in program history since 2004.

Forward

Butler posted 13 goals with one assist last fall and will again be looked at for big offensive numbers.

Alexandra Benedict (Sr., Tustin, Calif., Sports Management), with four goals and two assists in 2017, and Hannah Baker (Sr., Adelaide, Australia, Biology), with one goal and one assist in 2016, are both coming off injuries, but if healthy, can provide quite the complement to Butler.

Lauren Carlson (So., Glendale, Ariz., Exercise Science) also returns to bolster the offense at the top; she assisted on one goal as a freshman.

Midfield

Tori Teanio (Fr., Hilo, Hawaii, Physical Education) and Anna Matthew (Fr., Glendale Heights, Ill., Biology) both redshirted in 2017 and will be making highly-anticipated collegiate debuts this fall. They pace a deep midfield that will be asked to set up scoring chances for Butler and Co.

Ashley Broeker (Sr., Ankeny, Iowa, Exercise Science) had a solid 2017 with one goal and three assists, but Highcock is expecting even more from her in her final year.

The incoming quintet of Maddie Graham (Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah), Isabella Pirami (Fr., Salt Lake City, Utah), Brittany Severson (Fr., Omaha, Neb., Biology), Nicole Lancaster (Fr., Olathe, Kan., Pre-Law), and Lillyan Kuga-Fountain (Fr., Thornton, Colo., Psychology) will vie for time on the pitch as well.

Defense

Laura Cartwright (Sr., Brisbane, Australia, Business Management) will steer the defense in her last collegiate season and will be flanked by fellow returner Justine Arguelles (Sr., Ventura, Calif., Biology) as well as newcomers Kathy Niles (Fr., Pahrump, Nev., Exercise Science) and Emily Brockett (Jr., Eagle Mountain, Utah, Exercise Science).

Goalkeeper

Riley Ludwig (Sr., Big Bear City, Calif., Psychology) will not be able to repeat her all-conference season from 2017 after suffering a season-ending injury in the spring. Her injury opens the door for either Adyson Blom (Newton, Iowa, Human Services and Sociology) or Haley Brothers (Bonner Springs, Kan., Exercise Science) to start right away as freshmen.

Schedule/Conference

WPU begins 2018 by hosting Waldorf Wednesday as part of a seven-game non-conference schedule.

Benedictine is fresh off a trip to the national championship game and will be expected to again win the Heart. The navy and gold are picked eighth, but Highcock believes his team can fight for a top spot.

Posted by on Aug 19 2018. Filed under College Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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