MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- North Central Women's Soccer comes into the 2010 season as the two time defending National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) North Central Region Champion. With reigning region MVP, junior defender Bethany Burkman and a cast of talented returners and exciting newcomers the Rams look like strong candidates to return to the NCCAA National Championships for the third straight season.
North Central will start their quest for a third straight regional championship with a revamped and more aggressive attacking style of play. Junior Bethany Burkman (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) will lead an experienced defense that should help drive scoring attempts from the back row and allow midfielders like senior Sara Borndal (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown) and sophomore Aimee Cornelius (Aberdeen, S.D./Central) to get space to create offense. The Rams return All-Region goalkeeper Noelle Stordock (Menominee Falls, Wis./Menominee Falls) to bolster a talented defensive unit that did not give up a goal in NCCAA regional play during 2009.
The Rams added several new faces to the squad including freshmen midfielders Alyssa Slone (Elyria, Ohio/Open Door Christian) and Marissa Dean (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) who will add scoring punch to a team that has been more defensive-minded during their last two regional championship seasons.
NCU will play a 16 game schedule that features 8 games against NCAA DIII opponents, 5 verses NCCAA DII teams, and 3 games against NAIA teams. With a strong cast of returners and new talent the NCU coaching staff believes the 2010 schedule gives the team a shot to improve on its nine win total from last year. The goal for NCU is to go undefeated in region play for the third season and return to the NCCAA DII Women's Soccer National Championship Tournament and improve on their seventh place finished in 2009.
NCU opens the season on Friday against Alverno College (Milwaukee, Wis.) in a 5 pm home contest at Coon Rapids Soccer Complex.
