The Tiffin University women's soccer team will look to build off of a successful first year in the GLIAC, posting a 13-5-2 record in 2008 and reaching the NCAA National tournament. The Lady Dragons look to build on last year's success and return a solid group of established and experienced team members. Head Coach Rudy Brownell, entering his seventh year coaching the women’s team, saw last year as a positive beginning to the program’s new era as a Division II member of the GLIAC. “Last year was a solid season for us where we did some things very well and could have improved in other ways," said Brownell. "We’re looking to use last year as motivation.” Despite entering a new conference, the Lady Dragons established themselves quickly in 2008 as a team to be reckoned with. The team won its first five games of the season before dropping a 1-0 decision at Saginaw Valley. Tiffin finished the year strong, losing only one of its last six conference games, and ended the regular season with a 9-4-1 conference record and an opportunity to avenge earlier losses in conference play. In the conference semifinals, the Dragons faced Saginaw Valley, one of only two teams to defeat the Dragons during the regular season. Unfortunately, the team came up short, losing to Saginaw for the third time by a 2-1 margin. The Lady Dragons strong 13-5-1 overall record were enough to earn the team a spot in the National Tournament, where the Dragons faced a talented Quincy team. Battling to a 1-1 tie after two overtime periods, the game came down to a shootout, with the Dragons season ending by a 4-3 margin.
Despite losing a number of talented seniors from last season, the team looks for an experienced returning group to help bring along a talented class of incoming players. “We have a team philosophy that players hold themselves to,” said Coach Brownell, “and we’ll look for everyone to be ready to step up and contribute when needed.” Sophomore Shelly Rogers returns after being named GLIAC Freshman of the Year and posting 8 goals and nine assists in 2008, while senior defender Felicia Ruiz returns as a second-team all-conference player in 2008. Senior defender Kirsten White is back as a captain for her final season as a Dragon, sharing that honor with Ruiz.
The Dragons will look to build upon last year’s team play which saw them post six shutouts and outscore opponents 37-23. “We’re looking to continue pushing ourselves to play at the highest level possible,” said Coach Brownell. “As long as we work hard, play as a team, and stay focused, we have a chance to do some great things this year.”