Women's Soccer Opens 2014 at TD Bank Classic in Vermont
8/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Head Coach Will Lemke Video
Junior Katie Hohmann Video
Junior Macey Riese Video
2014 Preview
The Youngstown State women's soccer team opens the 2014 campaign with a pair of games at the TD Bank Classic hosted by Vermont, Aug. 22 and Aug. 24. The Penguins open the tournament against New Hampshire, Friday, at 1:30 p.m. and take on Vermont, Sunday, at 1:30 p.m.
Each contest will be the Penguins' first meeting against New Hampshire and Vermont.
About New Hampshire
The Wildcats went 4-8-6 overall with a 2-3-3 mark in the America East Conference last season. New Hampshire was picked to finish fifth in the America East in 2014.
About Vermont
Vermont posted a 6-9-3 overall record last season, marking the program's most wins since 2005. The Catamounts were picked to finish sixth in the America East Conference this season.
What's Back
The Penguins, under the direction of sixth-year Head Coach Will Lemke, return 17 letterwinners and nine starters from last season's team. YSU also returns 71.4 percent of all their scoring and both goalkeepers that combined for 99 saves and a 1.65 goals-against average.
Leading the Penguins in 2014 is a strong senior class consisting of MF Cara Armstrong, F Chelsey Haney, GK Jackie Podolsky, D Kearsten Sego and MF Brittany Tenis.
Picked Sixth in Horizon League
The Penguins were picked to finish sixth in the Horizon League in a poll conducted by the league's head coaches. The Penguins received 25 total points. Milwaukee was predicted to win the league championship with 62 points and six first-place votes. The Panthers were followed by Oakland (51 points), Wright State (50), Detroit (46), Valparaiso (39). Following the Penguins were Cleveland State (24), Green Bay (15) and UIC (12).
Chelsey Lately
Senior Chelsey Haney was the Penguins leading scorer last season with eight points on three goals and two assists. Haney, who has eight career goals in just two seasons, ranks tied for ninth all-time with 21 career points and tied for ninth in goals scored.
Net Tender
Senior Jackie Podolsky has put up some impressive numbers in goal for the Penguins. Podolsky is the school's all-time leader with a 1.32 career goals-against average and ranks second all-time in wins. Her 1.15 goals-against average in 2012 is the single-season record.
Armstrong Provides Scoring Punch
Over the last two seasons, senior Cara Armstrong has been an offensive threat for YSU. Armstrong tied for the team lead last season with three goals and notched three more as a sophomore in 2012.
Hohmann Poised For Big Year
Junior midfifelder Katie Hohmann seems poised for a breakout campaign. In YSU's lone exhibition game, Hohmann scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the Penguins to a 3-0 win over Western Illinois. Hohmann, who has three career goals, ranks third all-time with eight career assists in just two seasons.
Up Next
The Penguins host VMI in the 2014 home opener, Friday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. at Farmers National Bank Field. The Penguins also visit Robert Morris, Sunday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m.
