The Guilford women’s Soccer team anticipates a successful season, which they hope will culminate in an opportunity to compete in the ODAC finals for the third year in a row. Encouraged by two pre-season scrimmage wins last week, the team has been preparing mentally and physically under the guidance of coaches Eric Lewis and Emily Johnson. The Quakers welcomed back nine veterans as well as six first-years and seven transfers this season. Among the transfers is Amber Stapler, who made all-region on her Maryland junior college team and is currently training to be the Quaker’s starting Goalkeeper.

“Amber’s got the right attitude,” said Lewis. “She’s an incredible athlete.my prediction is that she’s going to be one of the best goalies in the league, if not the best”

Assistant coach Emily Johnson, who made Second Team All-America during her time as goalie for Ithaca College, is working to reinforce Stapler’s skills by hosting small goaltending sessions with Amber and the other goalies before practice.

“Emily works wonders,” said Lewis. “We’re very lucky to have her”

The Quakers defeated Louisville Junior College in their most recent scrimmage, in which Stapler secured her first shutout. The Quakers won 6-0, with goals scored by Sarah Rohan, Jada Daniel, Rochelle Bush, and Amanda Sperr.

Sophomore defender Caroline Hemeter injured her ACL during the scrimmage and will need season-ending knee surgery. Hemeter has been the starting sweeper and a key aspect of the Quakers’ defense since last year. Lewis is developing a change in formation to compensate for this loss and first-year Kristyn Melanson will be added to the starting defensive lineup.

Captains Micki Boulineau and Morgan Jones reflected on the scrimmage, recognizing a need to improve on transitioning from defensive to attacking play. The loss of six seniors from last year’s team took its greatest toll on the middle and top of the field, while the defense remained mostly intact.

“We’ve got a lot of individual skill,” Jones said, while suggesting that more experience playing as a team will soon strengthen the midfield.

“One thing we do well is push the ball to the outside flanks so the wings can cross (the ball) to the center” said Boulineau, who plays forward.

Lewis elaborated on this, saying that the team has “more depth and speed than we’ve ever had in the past,” which will enable a more “high pressure game” on the offensive end.

The Quakers’ daily practice regime includes drills to improve speed and agility. Perhaps just as important as physical skill, however, the Quakers possess a sense of unity.

With the experience of five years of coaching at Guilford under his belt, Lewis has mastered an effective formula that promotes team chemistry. He arranged a team-bonding trip to play paintball, knowing that a sense of camaraderie off the field translates to teamwork on the field.

“It’s like a family environment,” said Melanson. “Having older girls (on the team) really helps because going into college can be stressful and it’s good to have people to help out.”

The Quakers will open their season with four challenging matches against Christopher Newport, Carnegie Mellon, Maryville, and Emory. Their first home game will be Saturday’ Sept. 22, against Bridgewater.

“Last year we made it all the way to the finals and blew it,” said Jones. Despite the disappointing loss to Virginia Wesleyan in the 2006 ODAC championship match, Lewis believes this year’s squad once again has the potential to go all the way: “It’s time for a breakthrough year!