2009-10 Fall sports preview
Forrest Carpenter
Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Sports
Another year brings us another chance to preview Pacific's 2009 fall sports. With football on the horizon in 2010, men's and women's soccer and volleyball take center stage this season.
Men's Soccer
In 2009, the Pacific men's soccer look to improve on their fifth place finish at 10-6-4. On defense the Boxers welcome back Brandon Porter, a 1st team All-NWC selection last year. Porter is one of two seniors playing key leadership roles. Avery Neal, Taylor Kane, and Jack Wickard return to create a defense that could be one of the best in the Northwest Conference. At forward, juniors Mike Iacolucci and Travis Birrell remain a dominant duo, totaling seven goals together last season. They have big shoes to fill, now that Danny Williams and his 32 career goals are gone. The Boxers continue to be strong at goalie. At 6-feet 5-inches, Andrew Stevermer stopped 92 shots last season and ranked third in the conference in saves. Juniors Kizamu Tsutakawa and Jasem Jaihouni will bring experience and shot-making ability to the mix at midfield.
Women's Soccer
Returning eight key starters, Joy Boswell's team finished 5-14-1in 2008. Seniors Becca Roth and Cheryl Yasumoto and are joined by juniors Jenny Novak (Second Team All-NWC) and twins Ashley and Lauren Kanda (Honorable Mention All-NWC). Novak will need to be a key scorer, finishing last season with six goals and a hat trick against George Fox. But Boswell needs to develop other offensive weapons. The Boxers had a streak of over 360 scoreless minutes during last season. For the second straight year, new goalies join the team. Freshmen Brittany Hartmann from Portland's Wilson High School, and Kelcy Gillen from Crescent Valley in Corvallis take over for Erin Ichimura in the net. Both were all-league selections in their respected conferences.
Volleyball
The volleyball team takes the court with one hope in mind this season; finish. With no seniors Pacific must rely on the leadership of three returning juniors. Outside hitter Christiana Chandler, middle blocker Kelsey Carter, and defensive specialist Lia Nishikura must lead six freshmen and five sophomores. Chandler started eight games last year and appeared in 18 matches. Kelsy Takashima has proven herself as one of the premier blockers in the NWC in her first season here in 2008. "Taka", as she is called by her teammates, was a First Team All-NWC middle blocker, finishing second in attack percentage last season. Brittney Johnson will also play a key role in the Boxer's success playing in all 86 sets last season and averaging 5.99 assist per set.
Men's Soccer
In 2009, the Pacific men's soccer look to improve on their fifth place finish at 10-6-4. On defense the Boxers welcome back Brandon Porter, a 1st team All-NWC selection last year. Porter is one of two seniors playing key leadership roles. Avery Neal, Taylor Kane, and Jack Wickard return to create a defense that could be one of the best in the Northwest Conference. At forward, juniors Mike Iacolucci and Travis Birrell remain a dominant duo, totaling seven goals together last season. They have big shoes to fill, now that Danny Williams and his 32 career goals are gone. The Boxers continue to be strong at goalie. At 6-feet 5-inches, Andrew Stevermer stopped 92 shots last season and ranked third in the conference in saves. Juniors Kizamu Tsutakawa and Jasem Jaihouni will bring experience and shot-making ability to the mix at midfield.
Women's Soccer
Returning eight key starters, Joy Boswell's team finished 5-14-1in 2008. Seniors Becca Roth and Cheryl Yasumoto and are joined by juniors Jenny Novak (Second Team All-NWC) and twins Ashley and Lauren Kanda (Honorable Mention All-NWC). Novak will need to be a key scorer, finishing last season with six goals and a hat trick against George Fox. But Boswell needs to develop other offensive weapons. The Boxers had a streak of over 360 scoreless minutes during last season. For the second straight year, new goalies join the team. Freshmen Brittany Hartmann from Portland's Wilson High School, and Kelcy Gillen from Crescent Valley in Corvallis take over for Erin Ichimura in the net. Both were all-league selections in their respected conferences.
Volleyball
The volleyball team takes the court with one hope in mind this season; finish. With no seniors Pacific must rely on the leadership of three returning juniors. Outside hitter Christiana Chandler, middle blocker Kelsey Carter, and defensive specialist Lia Nishikura must lead six freshmen and five sophomores. Chandler started eight games last year and appeared in 18 matches. Kelsy Takashima has proven herself as one of the premier blockers in the NWC in her first season here in 2008. "Taka", as she is called by her teammates, was a First Team All-NWC middle blocker, finishing second in attack percentage last season. Brittney Johnson will also play a key role in the Boxer's success playing in all 86 sets last season and averaging 5.99 assist per set.
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