Women's Soccer
By Bill Konigsberg

Of all the things that may help the women’s soccer team to an improved record in 2005, here’s the oddest sounding one: An international soccer event in Sweden has revised its schedule.

The annual Nordic Cup was held in late July this year, earlier than usual. Typically it’s been an August event. Because of this, standout senior midfielder Manya Makoski will be rested and ready to go when the Sun Devils season begins.

"For the first time ever Manya will come in fresh,” head coach Ray Leone said about Makoski, who has played for the U.S. Under-21 National Team for the past three seasons. "We’ve never had her at her top of her game from the start. Hopefully this will be the year.”

Makoski tied for the team lead with six goals last year, and was second with 14 points.

Leone’s team went 8-9-1 last season, but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. One, four of the team’s losses were one-goal losses to teams ranked in the top 10 nationally; and two, the team will feature seven seniors, six of whom have now played together for four years.

Senior midfielder Brittany Cooper was what Leone called a "captain in training” last season. Her leadership will be invaluable this season, he said.

"There’s some really good senior leadership coming in this year, and don’t forget, we played an incredibly difficult schedule last year. Hopefully we’ll reap the rewards this year.”

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