2001 Preview: Balanced Foresters Ready for Title Run

LAKE FOREST, IL - Anchored by a stingy defense and fueled with a potent offensive attack, the Foresters are eager to begin their 2001 campaign.  "In the four years I have been here, this may be the most balanced we have ever been in terms of talent on the field.  In the past we have had great defenses or superb offenses, but this year I feel like we are truly a complete team."  Some of the talent to which Heach Coach T.R. Bell is referring comes from 2000 All-Midwest Conference sweeper Cassie George, the fourth Forester freshman in Bell's four years to be recognized as one of the league's best players.  George, along with junior goalie Rachael LaFin, anchored a defense that allowed only nine goals in nine MWC games last fall.

Offensively, the Foresters lost two of their top ten career scorers to graduation, but still retain last season's leading scorer, All MWC forward Sandi Coutts (10 goals).  "Sandi is a threat to score every time she touches the ball," commented Bell.  In order to keep the team's high-powered offense from missing a step, Bell will need that threat along with repeat performances by two-time All-Conference midfielder Stacy Gunstream, the team's assist leader in two of the last three years, and sophomore midfielder Stephanie Fink, who tallied 17 points while starting seven games in 2000.  "With Steph and Sandi up front we should have a consistent scoring tandem, but we'll still need someone to step up and give us that lift off the bench."

The "lift" Bell and his team covet most is the hoisting of the MWC championship trophy and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, milestones that have eluded his program despite three trips to the MWC Tournament in the last four years.