2004 Preview: Three Goals
  

Th scoring and leadership of Melissa Stevenson (#6) and Kristen Fink (#23) will help the Foresters strive for another MWC Championship.

“What we’ve accomplished in the last few years has been great,” comments Bell. “But one of the best characteristics of this team is that it is never satisfied. Our first goal next year will be, as always, to win the conference championship. The second will be to win the conference tourney and once again represent the league in the NCAA Tournament. Our third goal, which is a new one, will be to make some noise at the national level by winning a few games once we get there.”

One of the main reasons Bell’s Foresters were able to reach some of their goals in 2001 and again in 2003 was the performance of their defense, which surrendered just 13 goals in each of those two seasons. The 2003 squad set a new school record by allowing just 0.68 goals per game and matched another with 11 shutouts. Kristyne Operzedek became just the second goalkeeper in school history to record at least 100 saves (she had 101) and became the sixth Forester freshman in Bell’s seven years as head coach to earn all-conference honors. Sweeper Mei-Yun Gibson, who also earned Third Team All-Central Region honors, joined Operzedek on the first team and stopper Sarah Shepherd and fellow defender Laura Gross were second team all-conference selections.

While Lake Forest’s defense shut down the team’s opponents, the offense took advantage of scoring opportunities 50 times. First team all-conference selection Melissa Stevenson led the way with 17 goals and set new single-season school records with 51 points and 17 assists. Twelve others scored at least once, including nine that are expected to return in 2004.

“We did lose a few players to graduation but return all five of our all-conference selections and some others who hope to be in the fuiture,” states Bell. “We’ve set some lofty goals for 2004 and are anxious to go after them.”