WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Scott Shields and the women's soccer team at Whitman College are determined not to fall victim to the slow start that snowballed into a losing season a year ago. The Missionaries lost their first four games last fall, two by a single goal, and never seemed to recover en route to a 3-13-2 record.
By the season's end, Whitman had lost six games by one goal and four more decisions by two goals. Two of its one-goal losses were in overtime.
"We had a slow start to our preseason last year and it was evident in our first couple of games," Shields said. "Once the conference games started, you could see we were just a little off in our timing and execution. We never did make up the ground we lost in that first week of training."
Shields and his troops have already talked this summer about getting off to a better start this fall, and they feel they have the talent to replicate the success they enjoyed two seasons ago. The Missionaries won seven of their first eight games in the fall of 1996 and eventually advanced to the conference playoffs.
"I have contacted each of the returning players this summer, and they are all anxious to get going," Shields said. "They are excited about our chances this season and have been working very hard this summer to make sure we are prepared for the first week of training. We think we can be one of the top teams in the conference again."
Whitman's soccer teams, men as well as women, begin training on Monday, Aug. 24.
"You have to remember, though, that we play in a very strong conference," Shields said. "Any team in our conference can play well during the year and find itself near the bottom of the standings. It is extremely important that we are prepared, mentally and physically, for every game."
Shields will rely on a strong group of returning starters led by senior Kristen Ott (Tigard OR), a four-year starter and defensive midfielder, and junior Jamie Grindrod (Poulsbo WA), a sweeper on defense who earned second-team all-conference honors last year.
"Kristen is always working to improve her game and find new ways to become a complete player," Shields said. "She is by far the most coachable player I've ever had the chance to work with. I only have to tell her something once and she gets the job done from there.
"Jamie has the best vision of any player on our team," Shields continued. "She has the ability to think three passes ahead of the game. She was the backbone of our defense last year and will take a stronger role in the attack this fall."
Another of Shields' favorites is junior Jenny Russell (Tigard OR). "Jenny is one of those players every coach loves because she has the ability to play any position on the field, and play it very well. She played outside midfield and marking back her first two seasons here, but we'll move her into the middle this year."
One key to the offense is junior forward Chrissy Vaughn (Redmond WA). "Chrissy's freshmen year was a battle with injuries more than a battle on the field," Shields said. "Her sophomore season last fall was a healthy one and she led the team in scoring.
The returning goalkeeper is junior Becca Yenser (La Grande OR). "Becca is an extremely athletic goalkeeper," Shields said. "This is a new position for her at the college level and she has improved tremendously since she began."
Returning sophomores who saw starting time a year ago include Jennie Wood (Salem OR), Corrine Schuler (Hacienda Heights CA), and Wren McNally (Boulder CO). "Jennie Wood is an outside midfielder who is a machine when it comes to conditioning," Shields said. "She is one of the most fit athletes on campus. Jenny is a perfect player for the flank position because she can run forever and loves it. She was a key element on the outside for most of our wins."
Schuler, a forward, had an up-and-down season as a freshmen due to injuries. "Injuries took her in and out of the lineup, but she is exciting to watch when she's on the field," Shields said. He describes McNally, a midfielder, as "one of those solid players who is very consistent and never gives up."
Other players who look to make an impact this fall are seniors Stephanie Kafoury (Portland OR), a forward who missed last season while studying abroad, and attacking midfielder Anju Bhargava (Anchorage AK), who also returns after a year away from the squad.
Whitman's nucleus of returning players includes two more juniors who saw playing time a year ago. Jamey Allsop (Bellingham WA) is a midfielder while Erin Glenn (Bethesda MD) is a forward. Also back and hoping to contribute this season are two sophomores, midfielder Heather Groshong (Ashland OR) and Alison Jones (South Pasadena CA).
Shields expects at least a dozen freshmen to swell his team's ranks early in the season. "I am very excited about the freshman class," he said. "This will give our bench the quality depth we've lacked in the past. There are a few of the freshmen who will probably be taking starting positions this fall."
Shields said his biggest early season challenge is to find the right players for his back line of defense.
"We graduated three of our four starting defenders from last year, so we're going to try to a few new tactics early this season to see what will work," he said. "Once we find a system we're comfortable with, we can focus on our attack. "We have such a well-balanced team that our scoring might be spread evenly among four or five players," he added. "The concept of a team attack is exciting because it provides us with many scoring options. It makes it difficult for an opposing team to shut us down during the course of a game. If one option doesn't work, we simply try the next option."