After reaching the NAIA final four last November, Westmont women’s soccer is planning on a return trip to Olathe, Kansas and a shot at their sixth national championship. This year’s road map, however, calls for a detour through Africa at the start of the season.

Mission to Africa
On August 5, the Warriors depart Santa Barbara and travel to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. The Westmont squad will meet up in Nairobi, Kenya with the Good News Team — a group of Ugandan nationals who work for the Sports Outreach Institute (SOI). Former Westmont soccer coach Russ Carr (1966-1982) is the president and founder of SOI and has been instrumental in putting together the Warriors’ trip to Africa.

The purpose of SOI, according to their mission statement, is “to identify and train committed Christian leadership in the effective use and understanding of sports ministry.” Outreach trips to Africa and Mexico, as well as ministries in America’s inner cities help to achieve that goal.

“There are so many benefits to this trip,” said Westmont head coach Rebecca Mouw. “The greatest impact will be in the area of team chemistry. We are going to be involved in so many aspects of ministry that will be emotionally draining. That will help to bring us together as we try to make sense of this world that God has made. I expect us to grow in our relationship to Christ and in our spiritual life together. We will also grow in our playing abilities because we are scheduled to play some quality teams.”

“We don’t really even know what to expect,” said Katie Rhodes, one of three senior team captains. “There is so much in store for us [on the trip] and that is exciting in itself. The way that our team is going to come together and bond and relate to each other on a whole knew level is going to make a difference in our season.”

“I am looking forward to being changed,” said Jane Wyche, also a team captain. “We have so many players who have not even been outside of California. Whenever you go somewhere with the hope of impacting a society that is full of poverty, you find yourself to be the one who was changed. I think a process like that can only bring the people in the experience that much closer. I think that going to Africa is going to enhance our season so much.”

The team’s first stop will be in Kampala, Uganda where they will visit the Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped as well as participate in sports activities, feeding programs, community service and the sharing of the gospel in Kampala’s slums. They will also play their first of four matches against either the Hearts United Football Club (the reigning East African Women’s champions) or the Good News Football Club.

The Warriors will then drive to Gulu, Uganda where their outreach will include caring for traumatized children and other youth and to individuals in a refugee camp.

“One of the things I am most interested in is the drive to Gulu,” said Wyche. “Because of the things we might see, like kids with machete slashes across their face, it will be one of the hardest things we do in Africa. We’ve made thirty back packs for the night commuters - kids that travel at night just to be safe and then hide out in bushes during the day.”

“Getting to have contact with the kids in that community, especially those who travel to and from Gulu in the night, and getting to see their elation about playing soccer will be good for our team,” noted Anna Gropp, the third team captain.

While in Gulu, Westmont will play their second game, likely against either Hearts United or the Good News teams, at Pece Stadium.

En route to Kigali, Rwanda, the Warriors will visit the Queen Elizabeth Game Park for a late afternoon boat Safari. In Kigali, the team will have more opportunities for ministry and take on the Rwandan Women’s National Team.

Westmont’s players and coaches will then fly back to Nairobi where they will prepare for ministry in the slums of Mathare and a game against the Mathare Women’s Football Club.

Season Outlook
Probably the biggest challenge we have this year is coming back from Africa physically and emotionally ready to begin the season,” acknowledged Mouw. “Our players have been preparing all summer long so that when we get back from Africa we will be ready to play.”

The Warriors return home on Sunday, August 20 before making a quick trip to Portland to take on two national tournament participants in the Cavalier Holiday Inn Tournament. On Thursday, August 24, Westmont will face Simon Fraser which reached the 2005 final four by defeating Azusa Pacific 2-1. The following day, the Warriors will match up with Concordia (Ore.), a quarterfinalist at nationals.

“It is a lot of traveling in the beginning,” said Gropp, “but I don’t think it is anything we can’t overcome and it will be great for getting us prepared for GSAC.”

“This year’s team has the experience to go back to the national tournament, take what we’ve learned, apply it to making ourselves better and achieve the goal of a national championship,” said Mouw. “You have to be cautious when you state a goal, but at the same time, you have to shoot high. Every member of the team is driven and excited about working with each other. They continue to have great team unity both on and off the field.”

“This is my last season and I’m already sad,” said Wyche. “The program has changed so much since I was a freshman. It has been hard, but it is definitely on an uphill climb. I think this year’s team has more talent than any team I have been on.”

In the month of September, the Warriors play five non-conference opponents including national tournament quarterfinalist Graceland (Iowa), NCAA Division II opponent Notre Dame de Namur, Oklahoma Baptist, Menlo and Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).

Golden State Athletic Conference play begins on Saturday, September 23, when the Warriors travel to Irvine to take on the Eagles of Concordia (Calif.).

“Our first and foremost goal is to win the GSAC,” stated Mouw. “Often times the GSAC is more difficult to win than the national championship. Our goal is to go out every game and give our best in order to get the win. We will seek to make the changes necessary on the field in order to emphasize our strong points and take advantage of our opponent’s weaker points.”

Azusa Pacific will serve as the homecoming opponent on September 30 at Russ Carr Field. Last season, the Warriors and Cougars battled to a 0-0 tie in Azusa. Other home conference games include San Diego Christian on October 7, Vanguard on October 10, Fresno Pacific on October 21 and Hope International on October 24.

Post-season play begins with the NAIA Regionals on November 1. The NAIA National Tournament is scheduled for November 15-21.

Forwards
Rhodes and sophomore Amy Lawson return to form the core of a powerful front line for the Warriors. Rhodes recorded four goals and two assists last season.

“Katie was a great finisher for us last year,” noted Mouw, “and we expect her to come out and be a leader on the front line. As a captain, she is going to do great things for us in terms of encouragement on the field. She is always looking to improve her game. Her work rate up front is tremendous, pressuring the ball, playing smart and finishing opportunities.”

A quiet leader, Rhodes is capable of providing a potent offensive punch. In her sophomore season, Rhodes notched 10 goals and three assists.

Lawson led the Warriors in scoring as a freshman, recording 12 goals despite waiting until Westmont’s eighth game of the season to put the ball in the net. An All-NAIA Tournament selection, Lawson recorded three goals at nationals, two against Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and one against Houghton (N.Y.).

“Amy will be a marked person this season,” predicted Mouw, “especially after her national tournament experience where she played so well. She worked hard this past spring to continue to improve and we are looking for her to be an impact player.”

Lawson earned All-GSAC and All-NAIA Region II honors in the 2005 season.

Also returning to the Warrior’s offensive attack is junior Kayla Crandall who scored in games against San Diego Christian and Fresno Pacific while posting a .286 shot percentage.

“Kayla is consistently our best possessor up front,” assessed Mouw. “She keeps the ball at her feet and gives us an attack we don’t always get with our other forwards. Kayla is a great finisher who helps to improve our offensive creativity.”

After sitting out her freshman season recovering from an injury to her ACL, Brittany Sewell is ready to show what she can do for the Warriors’ front line.

“It’s exciting to have some of the players back who were injured,” said Gropp. “Brittany is back and feeling strong and healthy. She and Kelly [Kisling] are going to have a huge impact on our team.”

Midfielders
Seven returning veterans, five of whom were starters, are expected to provide the Warriors with a significant midfield presence. Gropp and Wyche will provide leadership in the central midfield.

“Anna is very good at reading the game and communicating direction,” said Mouw. “Her ability to beat opponents on the dribble will be a big advantage for us.”

Gropp recorded three goals and nine assists in the 2005 campaign with many of her assists coming off of corner kicks - including an assist on the winning goal against Houghton at nationals. Gropp earned All-GSAC and All-NAIA Region II honors last season and was named as the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Women’s Soccer Player of the Year.

Wyche, often on the scoring end of Gropp’s assists, notched six goals and six assists in her junior year. Her leaping ability and talent for winning balls in the air has proved significant for the Warriors and has led to more than a few goals in her career.

“As a central midfielder, Jane is able to strike from a distance,” said Mouw. “Like Anna, she will help provide great leadership and on-field direction. Jane is good at switching the field and finding open paths to pass the ball.”

Also returning to the midfield is senior Jessica Schoepke who will play on the right side. Finishing with a .242 shot percentage, Schoepke tallied eight goals and two assists in 2005, including a goal against Martin Methodist in the national tournament semifinals.

“Jess has an uncanny ability to find the back of the net,” remarked Mouw. “Her quickness and ability to dribble past defenders opens up opportunities to cross the ball.”

With two goals and five assists last fall, including one each in the national tournament, junior Brianna Russo is expected to be a significant force in the midfield this season.

“Brianna’s performance in the quarterfinals against Houghton is an example of her hard work,” recalled Mouw. “She is all over the field. Brianna has a great ability to retain possession by beating defenders on the dribble with her creativity.”

Earning a starting role in the midfield last season was junior Andria Carlson who sat out her freshman year due to injury.

“Andrea improved a great deal last year and we are depending on that improvement for this season,” said Mouw. “As a defensive midfielder, Carlson has shown that she can not only win the ball, but also distribute the ball to the right spot and get our offense running.”

Moving into the midfield after playing defender the last two years is junior Kendra Sakuda.

“Kendra played in the midfield during her high school years,” said Mouw. “By playing defense, Kendra has improved her ball winning skills and the speed of her play. That will help us in the central midfield.”

Anxious to get back in the game is junior Kelly Kisling whose 2005 season came to an end when she tore her ACL in the first game of the year.

“Kelly was playing well until her injury,” said Mouw. “We are looking forward to her return, especially the intensity with which she plays.”

New to the midfield this season are three freshman recruits. Caitlin McDermott of Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara High School), Breanne Mason of Bakersfield (Bakersfield High School) and Lauren Burtis of Aurora, Colorado (Grandview High School).

“I’m confident that we are going to have a good freshmen class,” offered Gropp. “The freshmen fit in with our style of play and I think it will come together very well, especially the team chemistry.”

“Caitlin can play every position including goalkeeper,” reported Mouw. “She is good in the air and good on the dribble. Her athleticism takes her far. Caitlin is skilled with the ball at her feet and doesn’t get beat on the dribble when she is defending.”

“Breanne has been playing in the center midfield,” said Mouw. “She is a great passer who has a good sense for seeing the field. She also has a good touch on the ball. Breanne has been coached very well in both high school and on her club team.”

“Lauren is a good passer who could play either in the center midfield or outside,” said Mouw. “She moves off the ball well and sees the field well. She was a varsity starter last year on a very good team. Her high school coach highly commended her for her commitment, excellence and effort put out on the field.”

Defenders
All-GSAC and All-NAIA Region II selection junior Heather Brown will help to anchor the Warrior’s defense this fall.

“Heather is just good,” offered Mouw. “Super athletic, motivated and competitive, Heather is an organizing defender who can take control of our defense. She understands the defensive game and has great ball winning ability. Watching her, sometimes you think she has been beat by the opponent, but she has not.”

Defensive leadership is also expected from junior Scottee Reid, another returning starter.

“Scottee is a versatile athlete who could play anywhere on the field,” said Mouw. “After winning a ball, she can dribble forward or pass to teammate’s feet. She played sweeper last year which helped improve her communication and leadership skills. This season, we may move her to outside back.”

Excited to be able to play is senior Rhiannon Webb whose play last year was limited to four games due to a head injury.

“Rhiannon has been cleared to play and we are excited to have her back,” said Mouw. “We expect her to be a force in our defense. She has a great vision for the field and a knack for finding the feet of our midfielders and forwards. And she just loves being out there.”

Also returning to the Warrior backfield are junior Lindsay Milone and sophomore Kelsey Sinclair.

“Lindsey is converting from midfield to defender,” said Mouw, “and she did a great job this spring with the adjustment. She has embraced the position and is learning and gaining confidence. Lindsey’s speed allows her to beat opponents to a ball in the air. Kelsey also has great speed and is great at winning balls. One of the two fastest people on the team, Kelsey has tremendous assets and great confidence.”

In goal for the Warriors this season is junior Ashley Werner. After spending most of last season learning from senior keeper Emalia Cornwell, Werner was called into action when Cornwell broke her hand in the next to last game of the regular season. In three games she went 1-1-1, including a shutout against Vanguard in the regionals.

“Ashley courageously stepped in for us last season and in the process gained valuable experience,” said Mouw. “If we gave an MVP for improvement, it would have gone to Ashley. This spring, she posted a shutout in our scrimmage against Pepperdine. We’re looking forward to her stepping into a leadership role. Her fearlessness and athleticism should compliment her improvement.”

New to the Westmont defense are freshman Brenna Zimmerman of Santa Barbara (San Marcos High School) and Amanda Barret of Temecula (Chaparral High School).

“Brenna is a very strong tackler and strikes the ball well,” said Mouw. “As part of the CIF co-champion team at San Marcos, Brenna has a lot of championship game experience. She is also good at distributing the ball to her teammates.”

“Amanda is a strong back and a good tackler with a good sense of the game,” said Mouw. “She comes from an athletic family – her dad is a baseball coach and her brother plays arena football. Amanda is super competitive and will definitely look to push for some playing time.”

History & Honors
Westmont women’s soccer has earned a unique place among NAIA teams. The Warriors have won more games (306) and more national championships (five) than any other NAIA team.

Since its inception in 1982, the program has produced 37 NAIA All-Americans and had 22 named to the NAIA Championship All-Tournament Team. Four Warriors have been named NAIA Player of the Year. Twenty-five Warriors have been named NAIA Scholar-Athletes and two have received the designation of Academic All-Americans.

In 2006, the Warriors seek to continue the tradition.