Seniors have "unfinished business"

Simpson's seniors remember the program's last Iowa Conference Championship - it came in the group's freshman year of 2006. Despite an undefeated 7-0-1 record during the conference season, the Storm was denied a bid to the national tournament after falling to Loras on penalty kicks in the title game of the Iowa Conference Championship.

Fifth-year head coach Cory Chapman remembers, too, and he would like nothing more for this year's senior class to take the next step and earn Simpson's second-ever bid to the postseason.

"Our seniors have had a taste of what it's like to win the IIAC Championship and we all feel like there is unfinished business to take care of," Chapman said. "This group has really worked hard throughout its collegiate career and truly deserves a chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament."

After failing to make the six-team Iowa Conference Championship field in 2007, the Storm advanced to the semifinals in 2008 before bowing out of the tournament after going 11-6-2 during the season and finishing fourth in the league with a 5-2-1 record in conference play.

Despite needing to replace two all-conference pieces defensively in goalkeeper Whitney Franker and defender Johnna Kripal, the Storm returns three All-Iowa Conference performers and the top five scorers from a year ago.

"We will definitely miss the experience and leadership from both Franker and Kripal, but our returning seniors have proven they are worthy of all-conference recognition," Chapman said. "We'll look to them for energy, consistency and leadership."

Goalkeeper

For the first time in four years, the Storm will be without Franker protecting Simpson's goal. The program's career lead in wins (37), saves (401) and shutouts, Franker's graduation in 2008 prompts a wide-open competition for the team's last line of defense.

"We have had a great luxury for the past four years with Whitney in goal for us," Chapman said of the former two-sport star in soccer and basketball. "Her soft hands, athleticism and ability to make the big save were phenomenal. There is no doubt that we will miss her but we have to turn the page."

The next page for the Storm could be written by a pair of freshman who will compete for the starting nod. Jessica Toyne (Bellevue, Neb.) and Megan Peterson (Indianola, Iowa) enter camp as Simpson's net minders.

"Both Jessica and Toyne have fantastic resumes and we're looking forward to both of them making immediate contributions to our program," Chapman said.

Although Franker's impact won't be felt on the field, it will be felt from the sidelines - Franker will serve as an assistant coach for the Storm in 2009, working with the goalkeepers.

Defender

Simpson boasted the best defense in the IIAC in 2008, allowing only 15 goals all season - equating to a league-best 0.76 goals against average. In order to live up to the high standards set a year ago, Simpson will likely need to rely on its lone returning defender, Heather Akes (Sr. D, Runnels, Iowa/Southeast Polk).

An all-conference selection in each of her three seasons, Akes will be without running-mate Kripal for the first time in her career. An all-conference performer and four-year fixture in the Storm's back line, Chapman and the Storm will likely find Kripal's replacement in newcomers Chelsea Winegard (Muscatine, Iowa) and Kara Lovik (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) or transfers Andrea Duncan (Marshalltown, Iowa) and Marianne Kruas (Nauvoo, Ill.).

"We've had a great recruiting class and a lot of our freshman and transfers will make an impact right away," Chapman said. "As camp goes on, we'll look hard at the newcomers and what formation fits our team the best."

Forwards and Midfielders

Simpson's strength in 2009 will be on the attacking end of the pitch. Of the team's seven returning starters, six are forwards or midfielders. Chapman expects the Storm to improve upon its modest 1.79 goals per game average in 2008, and he will look to seniors Mollie McMahon (Des Moines, Iowa/Roosevelt), Kellie Whitney (Oshkosh, Wis./North) and Erin Vinnedge (MF, Great Falls, Mont./Russell) to lead the charge.

"Last year, we really struggled offensively," Chapman said. "We had such a strong backline and goalkeeper, we knew we'd be in every match. We lost quite a few one-goal games and that has to improve."

Second on the team in points in 2008 (12), McMahon - a second team all-conference nod - netted a career-high five goals in her junior campaign. Coming up big for the Storm in crucial situations, the three-year starter connected on game-winners four times, the fourth-highest total in the IIAC. Struggling with injuries in 2008, Whitney looks to regain the promise of her first two seasons, in which she totaled 12 goals and led the squad with seven goals and 16 points in 2007. Vinnedge adds even more experience in the middle of the field after starting all 19 games in 2008 and appearing in 52 games throughout her career.

Complementing the experience in the middle and out front is a talented group of sophomores, paced by 2008 First Team All-Iowa Conference selection, Nicole Dillenburg (So. F, Urbandale, Iowa/Urbandale). Dillenburg will look to build upon a breakout freshman season in which she led the team in goals (eight) and assists (5).

"The heart and soul of our team is in the midfield," Chapman said. "Erin Vinnedge, Mollie McMahon, Katherine Bird and Nicole Dillenburg will be the engine that makes our team go. We rely on them to keep our shape, keep us focused and provide leadership on and off the field."

Megan Ginsberg (So., F, Iowa City, Iowa/West) compiled the third-most points on the team in 2008 with nine (three goals, three assists), Katherine Bird (So., F, Iowa City, Iowa/City) followed with eight points (three goals, two assists), and Lacey Davis (So., F, Tama, Iowa/Grinnell) added seven (two goals, three assists). Natalie Earhardt (So., MF, Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) contributed four points off two goals.

Corie Peterson (So., MF, Lakeville, Minn./North) could see an increased role after seeing time in four games a year ago, while Chapman is also eager to see his recruiting class take the field.

"We brought in some speed, talent and depth to our attack with the likes of Taylor Hallgren (DeKalb, Ill), Yvette Alberts (Dubuque, Iowa), Susan Leslie (Long Grove, Iowa), Meg Parks (Kearney, Iowa) and Anna Aldridge (Indianola, Iowa). We are definitely excited to see an improvement in our attack this season."

Schedule

The Storm opens the 2009 campaign on the road at UW-Falls Sept. 1 before starting a six-match, non-conference home stand beginning against St. Mary's Sept. 4. Following the streak of home matches, Simpson travels to MIAC foe St. Benedict Sept. 23 before kicking-off the conference slate at regular season champion Wartburg Sept. 26. Buena Vista comes to Bill Buxton stadium for the conference home opener Oct. 3. The team closes with a clash against 2008 conference tournament, Loras, a team Simpson battled to a scoreless tie in October last year.

"We have a great chance to start the season off on the right foot with six of our first seven games at home," Chapman said. "We'll hit the road for three extremely tough regional opponents in St. Benz, Wartburg and Grinnell. Once October comes around, we'll be in the always competitive Iowa Conference."