RCTC women's soccer preview

August 31, 2015 at 11:40 PM

2015 RCTC WOMEN'S SOCCER

Head coach:Deb Hare, 18th year (192-78-12 record).

Assistant coach:Rachel Tackmann.

Last season:The Yellowjackets are coming off a stellar 16-1-2 season. The team's lone loss was in overtime in the Region 13 finals, which halted an attempt for RCTC's first national berth since 2011.

Season outlook:RCTC's goal, as it usually is, is a trip to the national tournament. Coach Deb Hare, the lone coach in team history, has guided the Yellowjackets to national tournament appearances in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

And while the Yellowjackets again have high hopes, they will have to depend heavily on newcomers to achieve that lofty level of success. The team has just two returning players in Amanda Whelan and Abby Ramierez. Ramierez, a Dover-Eyota grad, played in 15 games last season and made three starts. She scored six goals and had five assists. Whelan appeared in just two games a year ago as a reserve and did not score.

Madolyn Hardtke of Rochester will be the new goaltender. Midfielder Courtney Amos is another player from Rochester on the squad. Depth could be a concern as heading into the season Hare listed just 12 players on the roster.

If the Yellowjackets can win a region title, they have one more step in the districts before earning a national berth.

Coach's quote:"We are always tested by Anoka," Hare said. "They beat us in overtime of the regional finals last year. And we are excited about the talent that we have this year."

Team to beat:Anoka-Ramsey.

ROSTER

Returning: Amanda Whelan (Bloomington), Abby Ramierez (Dover).

Newcomers:Courtney Amos (Rochester, midfield), Hayley Aranda (Lake Geneva, Wis., midfield/forward), Andrea (Michelle) Benitez (Mandan, N.D., forward/midfield), Shannon DeMuth (Oakdale, forward/midfield), Madolyn Hardtke (Rochester, goalkeeper), Alexis Johnson (Fairmont, defense/midfield), Alexis Meadows (Hixon, Tenn., midfield/defense), Monica Mischke (Lino Lakes, forward/midfield), Adilene Valeriano (Northfield, forward/midfield), Monica Vincent (Brooklyn Park, forward).

SCHEDULE

Sept. 2 -- at Dakota County Tech, 5 p.m.

Sept. 9-- Anoka-Ramsey, 4 p.m.

Sept. 16-- Dakota County Tech, 5 p.m.

Sept. 18-- at Morton College, TBA

Sept. 19 -- at Harper College, noon

Sept. 20-- at College of DuPage, noon

Sept. 23-- Iowa Lakes C.C., 4 p.m.

Sept. 26-- Yellowjacket Classic vs. Viterbo, 2 p.m.

Sept. 27-- Yellowjackets Classic vs. Harper, 10 a.m.

Oct. 2-- at Century College, 2 p.m.

Oct. 3-- at Lake Superior C.C., 1 p.m.