2002 Season Outlook

The 2001 season was amazing for Auburn soccer.  Fourth-year head coach Karen Richter helped the Tigers to an SEC West Champion title, SEC Championship Final and Auburn's first berth into the NCAA Tournament.  Here, Coach Richter talks about her plans for the upcoming season.

Since your arrival, Auburn has improved every year. What can we expect, after the outstanding 2001 season?

"Our goal is to improve on what we accomplished last season. We feel that 2001 laid the groundwork for the future of the program, and this season the team should be even better. The experience that the returning players have will provide invaluable leadership for the 2002 team. We will be young overall but should be very exciting to watch."

Last year, incoming freshmen made an immediate impact on the team.  Will this be the case for the upcoming class of freshmen?

"Assistant Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Matthew Mott and Assistant Coach Heather Welker both did an outstanding job of signing players that will improve our program. I fully expect that this freshman class will make an immediate impact within our team and will be a key factor to our success."

Auburn has lost two of its all-time best forwards, in Tammy Waine and Ginger Selleck, this past season. Who can we expect to fill the forward position this season?

"We have a great pool of young forwards to fill the big shoes of Sellick and Waine. Sarah Steinmann returns as our leading scorer from last year. She is healthy and fit and will be one to watch. Christian Culver and Michelle Mione both return for their sophomore season with 26
starts between the two of them and were both very dangerous up top, especially late last season. New signees Kristin Stewart and Ashley Willis are speedy, exciting forwards and Jenny Zarzour and Jaqueline Schwarz may also see some time up top."

With such depth in the midfield, what can we look forward to in the upcoming season?

"With Niki Schier, Kellie Evans, Sara Power and Carly Thomas all returning, the midfield is not only our deepest position, it is our most experienced. Add Jessie Allan, Schwarz, Jada Stewart and Zarzour to the mix and we have not only a great deal of talent but also a lot of flexibility in the midfield."

GK Megan Rivera

You have built arguably Auburn's best defense and goalkeeping group in years. Can we expect any changes in this department?

"The defense will just get better this year. Sandra Carnes and Erin Hinson should continue to be the center and nucleolus of our back line with Lindsey Wadkins, Jennifer Walters and newcomer Ashley Eason surrounding them. This group should be able to be a very dominant back
line. The goalkeeping will be extremely solid and deep with the return of Megan Rivera after a summer with the youth national team and Theresa Campioli for her senior year. Also we add signee Laura Snell to the group and the three keepers will give us an incredible last line of
defense."

Last season's schedule was arguable one of the toughest in the nation, with North Carolina and Virginia. What are your thoughts on the new schedule, which includes West Virginia and Florida?

"The non-conference schedule is not quite as tough as last season, but we will have our hands full with teams like West Virginia, Evansville, UMass and Arizona State, which are all tournament
contenders. As always, the SEC schedule will be present a challenge every game."

The SEC won five spots in the NCAA tournament last year due to the tremendous talent in the conference. What will we see from the other SEC schools?

"I expect the SEC will continue to place at least five teams in the NCAAs and maybe more. The conference has improved each year and this year should be no different."

Auburn made a terrific run in the SEC tournament, winning the SEC West and a spot in the NCAA tournament. Will we see more of the same this year?

"Obviously our first goal will be to win the West and qualify for the SEC tourney. Then our next goal will be to be successful in the SEC tourney again. Hopefully the experience from last year will help our confidence this year and motivate us to build on that experience."