When the Forester women’s soccer squad takes the field to begin the 2008-09 season, it will be under the direction of first year head coach Ryan Burgher.  The new skipper inherits a team that tied the school record for most wins in a season last fall with its 9-9-1 record.  Coach Burgher will look to continue to build on their success from last season and is expecting a difference in the program from the first practice. “We can’t continue to do the same things over and over and expect change,” said Coach Burgher.  “We need to improve how we train if we want to change how we compete.”

The Foresters return 11 players from last year’s squad.  Junior Bethany McGraw, who set a school record with 19 goals last year, returns for her junior season.  Three sophomores, Stephanie Spitnale, Liz DeHaan and Emily Walker also return having gained quality experience as freshman starters last season.  Spitnale scored four times and tallied four assists while DeHaan put in two goals.  Walker was the Foresters’ keeper with a 2.16 goals allowed average.  “I’m excited about the players that I have returning this season,” commented Coach Burgher. “Not only are the girls good players, but they are just overall good people. I took this job not knowing exactly what type of players I had and so far I’m really excited about what I’m seeing.”

Coach Burgher is also the recipient of a very talented recruiting class. This list includes Shelly Bradbury (Houghton, NY), Kelsey Goldenetz (Bluffton, OH), Rachel Mathews (Spring Arbor, MI), Jessie Turnow (Findlay, OH) and Heidi Zeman (Beavercreek, OH).  “These are the type of players that any college coach would be excited to build a program around,” stated Coach Burgher. “Some of them are going to see a lot of time. I know it might be a lot to expect, but I’m going to need them to be contributors right away.”

“I hope this is going to be the start of something exciting in the history of Huntington women’s soccer,” commented Coach Burgher. “I’m not here to continue what was happening at HU; I’m here to build on the success they’ve had and to take the program to the next level. I’m here to push our athletes to levels that they haven’t been pushed in the past, and I’m here to be a part of a program that plays for our one true God. I want spectators to see a difference in the way we play and I believe the team I have right now will provide a great start of things to come from the HU women’s soccer program.”