Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2008 Season Preview

Given the lofty standards set by head coach Bob Barnes and the Ohio Wesleyan University women’s soccer team — which include national championships in 2001 and 2002 — the 9-5-5 record posted by the 2007 Battling Bishops may appear to be a disappointment.

[ Michelle Corbett ] But consider that the team's 2007 rollercoaster ride included a pair of All-North Coast Athletic Conference forwards, a starting midfielder, a starting defender and the starting goalkeeper battling injuries for significant stretches of time, and the Bishops' stretch run of just one loss in their last 10 games takes on a different look.

Senior Michelle Corbett (Dublin/Scioto), a 2-time All-America selection, has led Ohio Wesleyan in scoring in each of the last 3 seasons. She ranked fourth in the NCAC in scoring with 10 goals and 3 assists last season.

Also back on the front line is senior Allie Cozzone (Chagrin Falls/Kenston), who was a second-team all-conference pick for the third straight year. Cozzone had 5 goals and 2 assists to rank third on the team in scoring.

Competing for the other starting spot will be senior Megan Quinn (Hilliard/Columbus School for Girls), who has starting experience in the midfield line; junior Meghan Cahoon (Montpelier, Vt.), who had 2 goals in limited play last season; and freshman Makinzie Krebsbach (Vadnais Heights, Minn./Totino-Grace), an all-state selection in high school.

Scoring from the midfield will be the Bishops' question mark.

[ Carolyn Tallman ] Leading the way in the outside spots is junior Carolyn Tallman (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South), who emerged late last season and performed notably. Junior Brooke Whitesell (Dublin/Scioto) and sophomore Chelsea Keller (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) each saw action in 10 games last year. Sophomore Steph Literski (Cincinnati/Turpin) also returns, and freshman Whitney Fischer (Lima/Senior) was an all-conference selection in high school.

Sophomore Erica Lowell (Bay Village/Bay) returns at one central midfield position, and freshman Belle Madison (Charlevoix, Mich.), a 4-time all-state selection in high school, will look to win the other spot. Freshman Megan Hoffman (Beavercreek) was a second-team all-region and first-team all-conference pick in high school, freshman Jenny Howe (Newton, Mass./South) won league all-star honors in high school, and freshman Lindsey Patton (Worthington/Thomas Worthington) also seeks to contribute.

Senior Brittany Coss (Grove City), who played in only 4 games last year because of injuries, and junior Megan Goodrich (Seven Hills/Laurel School), who moves back from the midfield, will anchor the Bishop defense.
Junior Maddie Branden (Solon) and sophomores Victoria King (Westerville/Worthington Christian) and sophomore Hannah Sterling (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) are returning letterwinners, and sophomore Amanda Markarian (Simi Valley, Calif.) also returns.

Sophomore Carly Topper (Novi, Mich./Greenhills), an all-state selection in high school who did not play soccer at Ohio Wesleyan last fall, joins freshmen Addie Bishop (Grand Rapids/Notre Dame Academy), an all-city selection in high school, Lindsey Queen (Decatur, Ga.) and Caitlin Zeller (Cuyahoga Falls), a 2-time, first-team all-conference pick in high school, as newcomers on the Bishop squad.

[ Laura VanHoey ] Sophomore Laura VanHoey (Rochester, Mich.), who racked up 5 shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.71 after taking over in goal last season, will have the starting spot from the opening whistle this year. Sophomore Ella Massie-Schuh (New York, N.Y./Brearley School) and freshman R.J. Rotuno-Johnson (Fairfield/Roger Bacon) will compete for the backup role.

"We have a great mix of strong upperclassmen with leadership and talent, and very, very talented underclassmen," Barnes said. "We have a ton of depth, and a lot of players who can play in different positions. We can go with a lot of different variables, and what we're going to throw at teams will be different than in the past."

The Bishops open the season at the Fisher Tournament, hosted by St. John Fisher. A flurry of regional tests follows, including games against Capital, Case Reserve, Ohio Northern, DePauw and Wilmington, before a matchup against 2007 national runner-up Messiah. Contests against nearby rival Otterbein and Thomas More lead leads into the NCAC schedule, which opens against defending champion Wittenberg on Oct. 1. The NCAC title chase will be further highlighted by games with traditional arch-rival Denison, 2007 tournament semifinalist Kenyon as well as traditionally-tough Allegheny and surprising Earlham, who handed the Bishops their only conference loss last year.