UNLV's first women's soccer team set to hit the field

THE MOMENT Staci Hendershott has been waiting nearly a year for is at hand.

After months of evaluating players, attending tournaments, speaking to groups, scheduling games, ordering uniforms and recruiting, Hendershott finally gets to do what she was brought here to do -- coach UNLV's women's soccer team.

The school's newest program convenes Friday at Peter Johann Field for physicals, distribution of equipment and a team meeting. Saturday, the dribbling, tackling and shooting begins as the Rebels prepare for their inaugural game Sept. 1 at Pepperdine.

"I'm ready," Hendershott said. "It's been a long time coming."

The past 11 months have been important in helping lay the foundation for the program.

Hendershott has created goodwill in the soccer community and has put together a nice blend of experience, youth and local talent. But what happens on the field is what will be remembered about UNLV's initial foray into the ever-growing world of women's soccer.

Once you begin, there are no restarts. You get one shot at doing it right.

For Hendershott, a former assistant at Michigan State who has never been a head coach, that's a lot of pressure.

"It's not about me," she said. "It's about us as a team, doing what we have to do, together.

"I'm not going in with any preconceived ideas. We're going to talk about what we want to do as a group. We're in this together."

That's not to say Hendershott doesn't have goals for the first UNLV squad. She would like this team to play .500 or better soccer. She wants to qualify for the WAC tournament in Provo, Utah, Nov. 4-7. And she'd like UNLV to have the best first-year program in the nation.

"I don't think these are unrealistic goals," she said. "But all I'm going to ask my players is that they work hard, give me 100 percent and be willing to learn.

"I think we've assembled a good group. But the first thing we need to do is establish a chemistry from within and have teamwork. I know it's not going to happen overnight, but having good chemistry's important.

"I'm bringing in 22-23 different personalities. Getting them to work together is going to be the biggest challenge."

The first UNLV team will have a decidedly local flavor. Nine players are from Southern Nevada, with former Bishop Gorman star goalkeeper Shannon Wilson leading the way.

Wilson, a 5-foot-6 sophomore, transferred from Washington State. She is one of five players on the roster with some level of college experience.

"Shannon's going to be a very important part of what we do," Hendershott said. "She has played Division I (at WSU) and she has great leadership qualities you want at that position."

How UNLV plays will depend on what the players can do as a group. Hendershott would prefer to play an attacking style of soccer. But she may opt for a counterattacking game with an emphasis on being strong defensively, especially in the middle.

Junior Felicia Madrigal, who played at Cypress College, could be the sweeper. Summer Frew, who played at Durango and Cheyenne and went on to play for Mesa State in Colorado the past two seasons, likely will work as the stopper.

In midfield, Western's Joleen Palmerri, who played at Valpariso, will be an important cog. Palmerri is one of only two seniors on the team, midfielder Jennifer Wintermute of Clark High being the other.

"I'll be relying on them a lot," Hendershott said of her experienced players.

Up front, the freshmen are going to have to carry the day.

Breanna Seaton from Davis, Calif., Anita Pedford from Ontario, Calif., Suzanne Jensen from Encinitas, Calif., and Shannon Frederickson from Williamsville, N.Y., will get to display their goal-scoring talents. They are part of an 11-member freshman class.

"They're going to find it's a different game at this level," Hendershott said of her youngsters. "It's a lot more physical than high school. The athletes are bigger and stronger. It's a faster pace.

"They'll have to adjust. But we've brought in some talented people and I'm looking forward to working with them."

Unlike some of her colleagues who were recently hired to begin building their programs, Hendershott has not been under the gun to produce.

"I've been fortunate that I've had a lot of time to build this," she said. "One of my goals was to keep the best kids in Las Vegas here and I think we've done that for the most part. A lot of them wanted to play for UNLV.

"I've had a chance to get out in the community and establish some ties with the leagues. We've built a nice relationship with Silver State Girls Soccer and we're going to admit all of their players into our home games for free.

"The people here (in Las Vegas) have been very supportive ... and I really appreciate that."

But Hendershott knows why she was brought here. And she's ready.

"This is the fun part," she said. "I've got my team together and I'm anxious to get going."

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