W-League Preview
Friday, May 10, 2013
The Southeast Division had been dominated in recent years by the Atlanta Silverbacks and Charlotte Eagles, with Charlotte coming out on top to reach the Eastern Conference championship game last season. With the growth, and new additions, made by the Carolina Elite Cobras, Dayton Dutch Lions and VSI Tampa Bay FC this offseason, the order at the top could change, with the new Southeastern Conference looking very competitive as it enters the new season.
Atlanta Silverbacks – After finishing two points behind the Charlotte Eagles last season, the 2011 champions will aim for a return to the W-League Championship this season. Some players have moved on, but the club’s leading scorer from 2012, Kristin Burton, returns to try and match, or improve, on her nine goals a season ago. Alexa Newfield is also back with the side after scoring four goals in seven games a season ago, while former U.S. U17 goalkeeper Jane Campbell joins the side before heading to Stanford in the fall to compete for a place with returning Silverbacks backup Constance Organ.
Carolina Elite Cobras – Carolina competed well in its inaugural season, taking points from contests against both Atlanta and Charlotte. Now the side is hoping to turn draws into wins and move into playoff contention, and the addition of former U.S. international India Trotter will add experience to the squad. Former Atlanta forward Tiffani Turpin, who had five goals last summer, also joins the side, while Claire Joyce (four goals, one assist) and Tabitha Padgett (two goals, three assists) return to the squad for a second season.
Charlotte Eagles – After falling one win short of the W-League Championship a season ago, the Eagles have returned a strong squad as they look for their first national semifinal berth since 2006. Leading scorers Leah Fortune and Amanda Naeher, who each had six goals last summer, are both back, as is goalkeeper Robyn Jones, who claimed All-Eastern Conference honors after recording a 0.775 goals-against average. The area the Eagles will need to address is on their back-line after the departure of defenders Shelly Lyle, who played every minute of the regular season, and Sabbath McKiernan-Allen, who only missed 20 minutes.
Dayton Dutch Lions – The Dutch Lions struggled last season, and it will not get easier as they become part of the Southeastern Conference this summer. Some players who did fare well in 2012 are back with the side, however, as co-leading scorer Emilie Fillion returns to try and boost the club’s attack. Defensively, the Dutch Lions have added Wright State goalkeeper Brooke McCurdy, who had eight shutouts and a 0.65 goals-against average while earning All-Horizon League Second Team honors. The University of Dayton duo of Meghan Scharer and Sarah Senoyuit will also be expected to help a defense that conceded 32 goals last season.
VSI Tampa Bay FC – Tampa Bay’s biggest addition of the offseason came in the coaching ranks, with George Fotopoulos taking the reins for the club’s second season. The veteran coach has built a strong squad, which includes former Florida standout Stacy Bishop and local products such as Karina Gutsche (Florida), Sydney and Shelby Payne (Stanford) and the University of Tampa’s Lauren Moore and CiCi Gonzalez. The squad has also been able to draw from the University of South Florida, with Canadian winger Taylor Patterson, attacking midfielder Sarah Miller and midfielder Jackie Simpson all arriving from the Bulls.