Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande women's soccer team is gearing up for the 2010 season with an eye on moving up in the Mid-South Conference standings. Head Coach Amber Oliver is optimistic about the team's chances for improvement as she heads into her sixth varsity season at the helm of the RedStorm program.

Rio Grande has a load of returning players from a team that finished 1-16-1 last year and 0-7 in the MSC. The RedStorm also have arguably their strongest recruiting class in the history of the program and are hoping that the combination of returning players and talented newcomers leads to some surprises this season.

Among the returning players, senior defender Erica Nagel (St. Marys, OH) brings the most experience to the pitch. Nagel has been outstanding in her career as the last line of the defense for Rio Grande. Also returning from last year's squad is sophomore forward Erica Feeman (Lancaster, OH). Feeman (two goals, four points) was one of the top goal scorers on the team as a freshman and will be counted on to provide additional scoring punch this season.

Sophomore forward/midfielder Mandi Thoma (Ontario, OH) is back from the 2009 squad. Thoma (one goal, two assists) has good speed and quickness and, like Feeman, will be expected to step up her offensive output this season as well. 

Joining Nagel on the defensive side of the pitch are a pair of returning sophomores in Venessa Montgomery (Chillicothe, OH) and Allyson Schmelzer (Lancaster, OH). Both played well as freshmen in 2009 and the coaching staff is hopeful that experience will parlay better results in 2010. 

Also returning on the defensive side is sophomore Jordan Rutan (Galloway, OH). Juniors Maggie Harris (Urbana, OH) and Kayla Graves (Chillicothe, OH) give Oliver and staff some versatility as both can play in a number of different positions on the field. 

Senior Jennifer Hahn (Jackson, OH), junior Jessica Preston (Jackson, OH) and sophomore Candace Chapman (Jackson, OH) are all back at the forward and midfielder spots to offer key experience. Chapman (one goal, one assist) enters the season with something to prove as she missed more than half the year with an injury in 2009. Preston (two goals, four points) matched Feeman in the goal scoring department last season. 

Rio Grande has one key loss from last year's squad and that is Sarah Rice. Rice provided outstanding leadership the previous three seasons and despite missing the majority of her senior campaign due to injury, the loss of her presence will be felt for the Rio Grande team. 

Coach Oliver believes her team is stronger this season and hopes with the returning players teaming up with the impressive freshman class, things will be better in 2010. "We have a strong team this season," Oliver said. "We are deep defensively, and we have increased our speed up front. We have improved our possession game and we will look to attack more." 

The RedStorm will have a number of newcomers who should see plenty of playing time this season. Mary Schramm (Marietta, OH) is one of the headliners in the class. Schramm, a midfielder, was a 1^st team All-Southeast Ohio Athletic League (SEOAL) performer as a senior. She brings an aggressive style with her to the pitch, a trait that has been lacking within the Rio Grande program. Another freshman who has the ability to make an impact this season is Rachel Hoffman (Franklin, OH). Hoffman, a midfielder/defender, gives the RedStorm good size, depth and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball.

Alexandria Davis (Ashville, OH) was the first recruit to sign for the 2010 class and she may be the most explosive of the bunch. Davis, a forward, had a stellar career at Teays Valley High School. She was the Mid-State League's Player of the Year as a senior and was also named 2^nd team All-Central District. Davis made 1^st team All-MSL three consecutive years and was Teays Valley's Most Valuable Player all four years. 

Another top newcomer for the RedStorm in 2010 is Amy Lien (South Point, OH). Lien, a defender, was a 1^st team all-district performer for South Point High School last fall. She is an outstanding player that will be counted to aid the RedStorm defense. 

Freshman Hannah Stickelman (Mansfield, OH) will vie for time with Kaitlyn Schultz (Plain City, OH) in the net for the RedStorm. Stickelman was 2^nd Team all-district last season for Ontario High School. Schultz grabbed the majority of the playing time in goal last season, posting 101 saves in over 1,000 minutes in the net as a freshman.

Rounding out the recruiting class is Cassie Kyle (Waverly, OH) Ashley Gilley (Otway, OH) and Brittney Sims (Jackson, OH). Sims will redshirt this season.

Senior Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH) is over from the volleyball team and junior Angela Dobos (Hebron, OH) is back with the program after playing last season for Pikeville College. Dobos will redshirt this season. Sophomore Rachel Carmin (Cheshire, OH) rounds out the roster. 

Coach Oliver lays out the keys to having a successful season. "Our key to a successful season is having the ability to finish the ball," Oliver said. "We must also stay healthy and fit. Our goal is to simply stay healthy, work hard and win games." 

Oliver is concerned with the youth, although she is not starting over, the RedStorm will still have plenty of young players on the field. "It is always a concern at the beginning of the season to have a young team," Oliver said. 

Oliver will once again be joined by former Rio Grande men standouts Callum Morris and Chris Skarratt on the sidelines. 

Rio opens the season on Wednesday (September 1) at home versus Muskingum University. "We look forward to playing Muskingum the first match of the season. They are always a good test for us; therefore, it is a good gauge of how we can expect to play this season," Oliver said.

The game will be streamed live on Ihigh.com. 

For a roster and more information on the University of Rio Grande women's soccer team please log onto www.rioredstorm.com.