Women's Soccer	SIUE Athletics SIUE Women's Soccer

SIUE Women's Soccer Team Reloaded for 1999 Season
	(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
women's soccer team looks to reload rather than rebuild this season after
finishing last year with a 13-3-2 record and a second consecutive NCAA
appearance.
	The team is without SIUE's all-time leading scorer Janece
Friederich, who finished her stellar collegiate career with 456 shots, 69
goals and 42 assists.  Coach Brian Korbesmeyer said the team is not
undergoing a rebuilding phase now that Friederich is gone.
	"You can't stand still as a team and expect to get by," said
Korbesmeyer.  "We surrounded Friederich with quality athletes who
complimented her. They all have the ability to reach the next level and
the potential to replace her." 
	SIUE enters this season ranked No.10 in the nation which is right
where Korbesmeyer believes the team should be.
	"Being No. 10 in the nation is where I expected to be considering
that is where we finished last season," said Korbesmeyer.  "We will be
facing three or four of the toughest teams this year, but it is what the
team needs to get another bid to the NCAA tournament."
	The Cougar team consists of eight freshman and nine returning
starters, led by fourth-year starter Megan Beagles (Springfield) at
forward.  "She has shown great ability in scoring goals, and I look to see
an increase this season in goal outputs."
	Sophomore Leslie Henigman (Florissant, Mo.) and a trio of
freshman, Heather Bebe (Florissant, Mo.), Brandy Bradshaw (Quincy) and
Colleen Creamer (St. Louis), are pushing to start at either the forward or
midfield position.	
	"Leslie contributed a lot as a freshman and has proven to be a
very explosive player," said Korbesmeyer.  "At the same time, Creamer has
excellent speed and is a tenacious frontrunner."
	SIUE's midfield is loaded with experience in four returning
starters, tri-captains Kristi Stedman (Florissant, Mo.), Megan Steward
(Glenarm) and Andrea Addotta (St. Peters, Mo.) and junior Michelle
Montgomery (Granite City).  
	"Michelle and Kristi scored more than ever before last season, and
I expect for them to take on an extra scoring load this year," said
Korbesmeyer.  "Megan is one of our strongest players, while Andrea offers
an excellent leadership ability and is technically one of the smartest
players." 
	Freshman Marci Stedman (Florissant, Mo.), younger sister of Kristi
Stedman, is expected to push for a start at midfield.  "She is one of the
finer athletes to have come since I've been here.  There is no limit to
how good she will be."
	Freshman Jennifer Hawkins (Troy) and Emily Anderson (Florissant,
Mo.), who is coming of a knee injury, also hope to challenge for time at
the midfield position.
	"Jennifer is a fast, smooth midfielder who will add a lot to the
midfield core because of her technical decision making."
	Korbesmeyer said he looks for more offense at back this season
from returning starters Rebecca Mays (Springfield) and Tasha Siegel
(Collinsville) both of whom were All-Great Lakes Valley Conference
selections last season.  "Tasha is a smart player and I expect her to
increase in her scoring."
	Senior Valerie Hasty (Granite City) is coming off a knee injury
but is expected to start in the backfield.  "She brings a lot of
experience to the backfield position."
	Rounding out the backfield position are returnees Katie Lembeck
(St. Louis) and Lindsay Strode (Rochester) and freshman Melissa Montgomery
(Granite City), the younger sister of Michelle Montgomery, and Nikki Audo
(Glenarm).
	"Nikki has been a pleasant surprise during preseason, and I look
for her to contribute in the backfield this season."
	Sophomore Shannon Roth (Granite City) and junior Beth Louderman
(Girard) return as goalkeepers this season.  
	"I was very pleased with Shannon's performance as a freshman.  She
is good in the air and is showing improvement in her decision making,"
said Korbesmeyer.  "Beth also played valuable minutes for us last year and
could see split time this season."
	With a reloaded arsenal, Korbesmeyer said he expects the team to
stay at a competitive level.
	"Teams are going to be after us because of our good ranking, but I
expect we have the ability to stay at this level."  
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