Theres no question that theres unfinished business from last season, head coach Bobby Kramig said. No one was happy with the way last year ended. At the same time, theres no denying what we did achieve. Our goal now is not just to set our sights on the unfinished business of a conference title but also on continuing to develop this program into one of the elite programs in the region.

Though Kramigs goals may seem lofty, there is little question his RedHawks possess ample firepower to carry over the momentum from their record-breaking 17-win 1999 season. Led by the programs first four-year senior class, the nations most improved program returns a dangerous combination of veteran experience and young talent that includes four 1999 all-MAC selections and five all-Ohio honorees.

Weve got an experienced, veteran team that knows exactly what it takes to be successful, Kramig said. Our objectives will be the same. We want to play positive, entertaining and attacking soccer. To do that, well need to have the most fit team in the conference and defend better than any team in the conference. In short, we want to become the preeminent team in the MAC. Theres no question we have what it takes.

FORWARDS

Perhaps the most important element in Miamis incredible turnaround during the 1999 season was its explosive cast of frontrunners. Led by sophomores Danielle Berkemeier and Andrea Cunningham, who finished first and second in the MAC in goals, the RedHawks averaged a league-best 2.7 goals per game and scored more goals than in their previous two seasons combined.

Berkemeier, who became Miamis all-time leading scorer as a freshman, and Cunningham, who tallied more game-winning goals than any player in RedHawk history as a freshman, are joined by fellow threats senior Courtney Julian, junior Brooke Paul and junior transfer Amy Smith.

Julian enters her senior season ranked second at Miami in career assists and will be looked to for leadership among Miamis frontrunners. Also moving into a leadership roll is Paul, who tallied three goals and three assists last season, despite missing nearly a month of competition with an injured shoulder. Smith, a transfer from the University of Maine, brings an important combination of versatility and experience to the RedHawks.

I honestly cant think of a better group of frontrunners than the group that we have here, Kramig said. Last year our ability to score made us the most dangerous team in the MAC. With another year of seasoning and some new additions, I think its only going to get better.

MIDFIELDERS

Another key to Miamis success in 1999 was a midfield that reached a new level. Powered by a strong combination of depth and experience, Miamis midfield increased its output from eight goals and no assists in 1998 to 14 goals and 16 assists last season.

Leading the RedHawk midfield this season are seniors Katie Barth, Kim Gardner and Julie Quelette. All four-year members of the team, the senior trio has combined for more than 100 starts during its career.

Its great having a class of seniors like Katie, Kim and Julie who just do everything right, Kramig said. Theyre experienced, professional and know exactly what they have to do out there. They show up every game and get the job done.

Miami also will rely on tremendous depth in its midfield during the upcoming season. Last season, eight of the RedHawk midfielders saw action in more than 10 matches while seven started at least once.

Juniors Quinn Brady and Julie Grosso, who experienced breakthrough seasons in 1999 look to once again be factors in the Miami midfield while sophomore sensations Shaedyn Cousino and Katie Milligan, who combined for seven goals a year ago, aim to grow even stronger following a year of experience. Cousino, a first-team all-MAC selection in 1999, led the midfield in minutes played a year ago despite missing several games with injuries.

Were deep, were talented and were diverse, Kramig said. The thing I like most about our midfield is that we can put any number of combinations of players out there and do all kinds of different things in the midfield. We have a great group of players who complement each other like nothing Ive ever seen before. There isnt one of them who cant step on the field and do the job for us. Ive just never had a better blend of players.

DEFENDERS

As solid as Miami may be in the forward and midfield positions, the RedHawk defender corps remains the teams greatest strength.

Despite losing three-year starter Katie Cleverdon to graduation, Miami returns seniors Maggie Lyon and Tonja Weimer from a defense that surrendered a paltry 1.12 goals per game, including a pair of shutouts in the MAC Tournament.

Lyon, who led Miami in minutes played a year ago, will handle the RedHawk sweeper duties for the fourth consecutive season. A three-time all-Ohio selection, Lyon needs only three starts and one appearance to become Miamis career leader in both games started and games played.

A second-team all-MAC and MAC all-tournament selection from a year ago, Weimer returns to the Miami flank following a stellar junior season. Weimer, who tallied a career-high three assists last season, handles the free kick responsibilities for the RedHawks.

Likely filling in for Cleverdon at the other defender position will be junior Sarah Paul, who saw significant action toward the end of the 1999 season. Miami also will look toward junior Courtney Carey, who is making the transition from forward to defender, sophomore Katie Mach and freshman Tricia Gill to reinforce its defender corps.

Weve got an all-state sweeper in Maggie and an all-conference defender in Tonja, Kramig said. Well be experienced and very talented in the back.

GOALKEEPERS

Admittedly, Miamis largest question mark for the upcoming season will be its goalkeeping, where it must replace a pair of veteran performers.

Rising to the occasion for the RedHawks are freshmen Laura Degelleke and Allison Krause. Degelleke was a three-year starter at North Barrington H.S., where she led her team to three regional and two sectional titles. Krause led her Westerville North team to four conference titles while posting a goals against average of 0.7.

Goalkeeping is definitely our question mark, Kramig said. Were losing a pair of veteran players, and thats not an easy thing to contend with. I think our freshman recruits are very talented and capable, and were excited to see how they respond to the challenge.

Miami attempts to maintain a defense that has steadily improved over each of the past three seasons, culminating in six shutouts a year ago.