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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Women's Soccer 2016 Season Wrap-up
11/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 28, 2016
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team came within 90 minutes of their first NCAA appearance since 2005, advancing to the Conference USA title match while notching 12 wins for the second straight year.
The Owls ended the year 12-8-2 while going 6-3-1 in C-USA play to earn the league's No. 4 seed. They upended the regular season champions, North Texas, in the semifinal round, but fell to Charlotte in the finals. The 12-8-2 record marked the first time the program had consecutive winning seasons since 2006-07, and the first time they had 10 or more wins in back-to-back years since 2005-06.
The team fit six battle-tested seniors - Erica Burt, Danielle Dangremond, Sydney Drinkwater, Kelsey Parry, Sammy Rowland and Sophie Sanchez - and experienced returnees with 16 newcomers that came together when it mattered most. Burt and Drinkwater earned All-C-USA First Team honors, Rowland was named to the Second Team, and three-year starting junior midfielder Asta Arnadottir was chosen Third Team. Mary O'Hara and Elisha Holmes, two of seven freshmen to start at least 15 matches, were C-USA All-Freshman, and O'Hara became the first freshman in the C-USA era to earn an All-League nod, joining Arnadottir on the Third Team.
FAUSports.com caught up with Head Coach Patrick Baker about the 2016 campaign:
How do you feel about the year as a whole, and specifically how the team came together at the end and the conference tournament run?
PB: "The 2016 season was a lot of things and when it counted the most, we were 90 minutes away from our first ever Conference USA Championship. We had our first winning season in 2015 for over 10 years and lost some very talented seniors from that team. So to bring in 16 new faces just 12 months later is a lot, and then to have them collectively mesh with 16 returners was as much work off the field as it was on the field.
"We played a good non-conference season and challenged ourselves against two high-level teams in Florida and UNC Chapel Hill. Throughout those nine non-conference games, there wasn't much separation; most games were decided by a goal either way. Once we entered C-USA play, we still played in a number of tight games but managed to find a moment of magic to win some key games. In the 22 games this year, we started six freshmen every game and they grew throughout the season within our 4-4-2 system. Our seniors played like seniors and did a great job of bringing the young players along week after week in a positive way.
"As I share with the players every year - if we are healthy, fit and playing good soccer at the end of the year - then we are in good position to make a run and that's exactly what happened in Charlotte at the C-USA Tournament. Our young ladies played really well in the quarterfinal and semifinal games and seemed poised for a great championship game, but unfortunately Charlotte was better than us on the day and were clinical in front of goal. It was a disappointing ending to another historical season for the women's soccer program at Florida Atlantic University."
Advancing to the championship was a great `next step,' but does the loss add extra motivation moving forward?
PB: "Advancing to the C-USA Championship was awesome, but losing and losing by the score we did is real motivation as we move into the offseason. It leaves a bittersweet taste in your mouth, you are excited about getting there but then have the disappointment of not winning to advance to the NCAA Tournament. But like my dad said, 'four years ago (knowing what you inherited), if someone had said four years from now you will play in the conference title game - would you take it?' The answer would have been `absolutely!'
"The journey that week in Charlotte was special with a great group of young ladies who were focused and committed to helping any way they could. We grew as a team and program over those seven days and will have valuable experiences to draw upon next season. Our first two years we didn't even make the conference tournament, in 2015 we make it but lose in the quarterfinals and then year four we go on a great run to Championship Sunday.
"The program is progressing and trending in the right direction; that's something you work towards as coaches and players. We host the 2017 C-USA Women's Soccer Tournament and after this year's experiences we were shown how to run a first-class tournament and what it takes to win the tournament."
What did the seniors mean to the team and how did they change the culture of the program?
PB: "Our seniors are a very successful group of young ladies and deserve so much credit for helping turn the program around. Danielle Dangremond was a fifth-year senior that came back from numerous injuries to be a key figure in our midfield. Many players would have quit long before if they had to have endured what Dani has had to go through these past few years. Sophie Sanchez and Kelsey Parry were our only four-year players and came to FAU when a number of other young ladies wouldn't. They shared our vision of what our program could become.
"Sydney Drinkwater transferred to us three years ago and leaves as the most recognized goalkeeper in program history. Erica Burt transferred to us as well and in her two years became the first player in program history to be named First Team All-Conference in back-to-back years. Rounding out the class is Sammy Rowland who led the team in scoring and had many memorable moments this past year. She arrived as a Junior College All-American and after an up/down first year, she put it all together with a special senior season and earned All-Conference recognition.
"A number of people look at who they are as players, but many don't get to know them as people, students and leaders. They want to do more, not less. They give more than they receive, and hard work and attention to details mean something to them. They care about this program and `Live Like Champions' every day, week to week, month after month and year upon year."
The team obviously loses a lot of experience, yet doesn't the program seem to be in good hands moving forward as the freshmen class played a significant amount and enjoyed a lot of success?
PB: "Our freshmen class was three years in the making and most of them transitioned to Florida Atlantic University pretty well. I have said many times, this class would change the complexion of our program for ever and they got their four-year careers off to a very good start. Within our 4-4-2 system, five of the front six positions had freshmen starting and although talented, we were still youthful in our play and decision-making. But as the games progressed, they got a better understanding of the system, began to impact each game a little bit more and their chemistry grew on the field.
"Mary O'Hara and Jessica Monteiro were the attacking and holding midfielders respectively, both played very well and Mary was recognized by the C-USA coaches by making Third Team All-Conference and the All-Freshmen Team. Libby Wissman and Tiril Haga played wide left in midfield and both had key game-winning goals last fall. Elisha Holmes and Pernille Velta were the 1-2 punch upfront and they complement each other very well. Each came on late in the year with goals and assists and they will be a formidable duo in years to come. Elisha was terrific in the Conference Tournament and was recognized on the All-Freshmen Team. Alex Maxson started 17 games at center back was a great addition to the back line. She complimented Erica Burt really well and has a bright future as the mainstay of our defense. Maddie Winch, Meredith Roberts and Carolynn Wotring were freshman that were invaluable to our success and we are looking forward to their growth as players throughout the upcoming spring season."
This season wasn't all just seniors and freshmen. What can you say about the returning upperclassmen experience for next year?
PB: "Our returning leadership is very strong and we have a committed junior class that is ready to lead our team in 2017. Lucy Carter, Asta Arnadottir, Madison Caldwell, Maddie Pung, Alex Mastrobuono and Kelly Harris have also been instrumental in building this program the right way and incorporating our `Live Like Champions' ideas. Five of these six young ladies are members of our first true recruiting class here at FAU and they came to us when a number of other young ladies wouldn't.
"Asta Arnadottir is considered by many to be our most talented player and has been a three-year starter and All-Conference player. Madison Caldwell has developed into a very good player and has started the past two years at left back. Lucy Carter and Maddie Pung have started and logged tremendous minutes in midfield for us throughout their careers. Alex Mastrobuono and Kelly Harris have been very good forwards for us and both enjoyed their best years of soccer in 2016. They will be counted on in big ways next fall and will be a part of our most experienced attack since our arrival on campus. These quality individuals lead in the classroom, on the field and socially. They are a great group to continue our historic steps in building a nationally-recognized women's soccer program."
Even with Sydney Drinkwater graduating, the very capable Jennifer Ocampo waits in the wings. How hard has she worked behind the scenes to prepare for a shot to take over in goal?
PB: "I can't put into words the work, dedication and patience that Jenny Ocampo has put forth these past three years. She has walked side-by-side with Sydney Drinkwater for some time and has been instrumental in pushing her to new heights. At the same time, her time with Sydney and developing under the tutelage of Coach Crane, we may not miss a beat in regards to having a quality goalkeeper moving forward.
"Ocampo has played in a number of high-level spring games and played very well against Florida and Jacksonville this past year. Players these days quit or transfer at the hint of not starting/playing/or when times get a little uncomfortable; Jenny is old school. Working hard, being a positive teammate, being a young lady of character while working hard for her opportunity has endeared herself to her teammates year after year. We are excited to see how Jenny's career progresses these next two years and with the talent surrounding her. It has the potential to be a very exciting couple of years."
What are your expectations for the incoming class joining up with the returnees for 2017?
PB: "Our 2017 recruiting class is another quality group of young ladies that when they cross the white lines, they can make magic happen. They are good people, talented students and high-level soccer players. A number of our needs have been met with this group and I feel they will impact our lineup immediately. There is common ground between our 2016 and 2017 recruiting classes, they are excited to play together for three years. Signing Day can't get here fast enough and day one of preseason needs to get here even faster."
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