Dec. 31, 2004

AMHERST, Mass. -

by Jim Rudy

The season commenced with an ominous tone as two of our three seniors went down early and out with knee problems. Carly Turman and Erica Wideberg suffered season-ending injuries: two seniors, two roommates, two blondes, two knees, occuring at relatively the same spot on the field.

Of course, both had their surgery on the same day by the same doctor!

Nevertheless, we pressed on trying to prepare for a tough non-conference schedule with a very new and very young side. The "Kiddie Korps" (eight freshmen) were going to have to learn on the job.

Losing the first five matches would have finished a lot of sides--but not this one. They were "in" all five games but rookie gaffes, posts, missed layups were the main culprits in the losses.

"Patience" was constantly preached because "at some point, we're going to be pretty good." The training was hard and some of those sessions were absolutely brilliant.

Each week, we collectively labored in unison to prepare to win. We had some veterans who've been through the lows who bought into what we were doing (i.e. new system, new style of play) and felt like "if I can buy into this and get the youngsters on board...we can be successful."

The first win against Central Connecticut was magnificent. The first goal of 2004 for Adair Blyler; an unbelievable backheel rocket over her shoulder into the far corner shot by Stormy Fairweather; and then, J-Ro's (i.e. Jenny Roehrig) 25-yard, first time "laser" into the upper 90 spelled VICTORY!!

The rest of the year, this team was competitive in every match (except against nationally-ranked Dayton) with a chance to win. Emotional victories over Temple (in overtime), GW and Fordham reversed losses to those teams from last year but were sandwiched between excruciating 1-0 losses to St. Joseph's, Richmond and La Salle.

Knowing an A-10 Tournament slot was on the line, this young side won convincingly at St. Bonaventure with defensive leader Amy Maffucci out injured after only 10 minutes gone in the match--and with only two subs on the bench. Our pre-season goal of making A-10's was achieved.

In the now very competitive A-10 Tournament (all five games were decided by a goal), the women had a re-match with a very experienced Richmond side-- who were clearly older and better a month earlier--on Nov. 4. Less than a month later, I feel we had "aged" two years. Allowing only a early goal, we took it to the Spiders and clearly played with more skill, confidence and maturity but only the finishing was missing.

This was the youngest side I ever fielded at UMass. Every game they had to match up with schools top-heavy with juniors, seniors and returning starters. When the season ended, this team was not down and depressed.

They knew they had made progress. They were already looking forward to the future. They know their potential. Responsible, motivated returnees and hard-working youngsters. I can't wait.

part two of the Minutewomen season recap will be posted on Jan. 7 here on UMassathletics.com