The 2006 season proved to be another year of learning and gelling for a young RPI women’s soccer team, which finished the year with an overall record of 5-9-2. But with Head Coach Eric Miller now comfortably settled in, his third season at the reins, and with the team now completely his after two recruiting seasons, the future looks bright for the Red Hawks.
As they finished four games under .500, it is easily forgotten that the RPI women were in the thick of things in every one of their games, much in part due to the greatly improved team defense. Rensselaer was able to legitimately compete for a chance to win each time they took the field, which realistically is all any coach can ask for.
RPI returned many of its key performers and starters from last year’s team, which bodes well for coach Miller. Important players include junior Sarah Hinz, who had four goals and two assists for 10 points, as well as juniors Judy Kastner and Shari Kleiman, who both scored twice for the team. Also back for the Red Hawks are a core group of players who, for the past two years, have attributed much to the team’s success: senior Sarah Briggs, juniors Kerry Reilly and Ashley Aust, as well as one of last year’s captains, Kristy Kolb, who is now a senior.
A strong group of underclassmen will also round out and continue to build what is shaping up to be a strong soccer program here at RPI.
The Red Hawks will open up the 2007 season versus SUNY New Paltz at 6 pm on September 1, and then take on Husson College at 2 pm on September 2, as they play host to the Red Hawk Classic on back-to-back days.
After that, the RPI women will take on rival Russell Sage College at home before heading to Hoboken, N.J., for the Stevens Engineering Cup.
Right off the bat, coach Miller and company find themselves in the midst of a very hectic schedule, and how they are able to come out of it may ultimately determine where they are at season’s end.
