The Capital women's soccer team returns all but one member from last season's OAC Semifinalist squad. Capital finished 11-7-2 in 2008 including a win and a tie against ranked opponents, but has even loftier goals for the 2009 campaign.
"I don't think there is any question that the talent pool that we have is very good," head coach Dwight Burgess said. "If they come together like the teams of the past, that they could go undefeated. They're that good."
Capital returns six seniors, including All-Ohio Division III First Team selection Katie Robinson (Grove City, Ohio/Bishop Ready HS) and Second Teamer Molly Sheils (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville HS). Robinson led the Crusaders in scoring with 25 points, while Sheils finished the year as the team's third leading goal and overall scorer (with eight goals and 18 points) last season.
"We've had one of the most talented teams in the OAC, but we have never been at our best throughout an entire season to win the regular season championship," Robinson said. We just need to be consistent, and go through the season with a sense of focus and intensity. If we play up to our capability and if we all come in with the same common goal, we can be unstoppable in the OAC."
Another key player on the Crusader squad is junior defender Kaylee Phillips (Watkins, Ohio/Watkins Memorial HS), who finished second on the team behind Robinson with nine goals and 19 points in 2008.
There is a three person race for the starting goaltending spot between juniors Linley Vermillion (Englewood, Ohio/Northmont HS), and Sherry Lyle (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North HS) along with sophomore Rose Bussey (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS). Lyle started the most games last season (10), while Vermillion led the squad in saves (26).
Forwards Sarah Hagan (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome HS) and Natasha Ballard (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Reynoldsburg HS), and defender Katy Bluher (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville HS) are three other seniors that will lead the Crusaders.
This depth of this team is a strength that Capital hopes to use to their advantage throughout the season as it tries to repeat the success that saw the Crusaders win the OAC Tournament Title and advance to NCAA postseason play in 2006 and 2007.
"We're deep and we have a great bench," Shields said. "Everyone works hard, and we have a lot of talent. We had some issues like injuries last season that we wouldn't get past. We're only losing one senior, so we can get it done this year."
While the team is gunning for another trip to the NCAA Tournament, one prize that they look to win for this first time is the conference regular season title.
"Our focus this year is on winning the OAC regular season and tournament, and advancing into the NCAA tournament," Hagan said. "Ever since we came in to train this summer and began our rigorous workouts that has been on our mind."
Capital will kickoff their season by traveling to play in the Elmer Lord Invitational and in the Whitworth Tournament. In between, the Crusaders will play host to Anderson in their home opener on Wed., Sept. 9 at 4 p.m.
"These two early season trips are going to test us hard as will our non-conference schedule overall," Burgess said. "If we continue to grow as a team, and if everyone comes in healthy, then these girls should have a special season."