Lake Forest College Sports Information
Contact: Mike Wajerski , SID

2005 Preview: One Step Further
  

Marly Ashworth is one of numerous young players Head Coach T.R. Bell hopes will step up in 2005.
The 2004 senior class hoisted the Midwest Conference Championship trophy in 2001 and 2004, won the 2003 Conference Tournament, and made the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. The group also posted a 29-6-1 conference record, the best four-year run since Head Coach T.R. Bell took the job in 1997. With those five seniors having graduated, the next class of Foresters is looking to achieve even more and go one step further.

“We have always had a successful program, but these last four years have elevated us to new heights,” says Bell. “The next step will be to make some noise in the NCAA tournament and gain recognition at the national level.”

Bell has plenty of reasons to believe his Foresters can continue their success and reach new heights. The last three seasons have brought on the emergence of a dominating offense, led by juniors Melissa Stevenson and Tanya Lopez. Last year they ranked first and second on the team in total points, combining for 25 goals and 17 assists. Nine others found the back of the net at least once to help tie the program’s single-season scoring record of 58 goals. Both Lopez and Stevenson were named All-Midwest Conference, Stevenson for the third time.

While the Forester offense has been putting up big numbers, it is the defense Bell credits for the team’s winning ways. Last season Lake Forest held its opponents to just 15 goals, and allowed only 13 in both 2001 and 2003. Goalkeeper Kristyne Operzedek has recorded 177 saves and 11 shutouts in two seasons, earning all-conference honors both years. The Foresters are losing two of their top defenders, but will still be strong in the backfield with second-team all-conference selection Laura Gross. Coach Bell will also be looking for new talent to join the strong defensive unit.

“It’s now time for our juniors and underclassmen to step up and show that they can carry the program to the next level,” states Bell. “As a team we have set some lofty goals for the next few seasons and now it is my job to find the players that can help us reach them.”