Galesburg, IL - The Prairie Fire will field a mix of youth and talented veterans during the 2012 season, including one of the most dominating players in the Midwest Conference.
“We definitely have a solid returning class. I have eight players returning, seven of whom started last year,” Coach Melissa Joseph said. “We will turn to Arielle Dorman (Bothell, WA, Inglemoor), a two-time all-conference selection, and Ella Petersen (Wilmette, IL, Lake Forest Academy) to lead our offense.”
Dorman, a senior forward who started all 17 matches last season, was named second team All-Midwest Conference in both 2009 and 2011. She tallied 12 goals, five assists, and 29 points to lead the Fire in scoring a year ago. Dorman also ranked fifth in the MWC in points, points per game (1.71), goals, and goals per game (0.71). She was seventh in shots (58), shots per game (3.41), and assists while ranking eighth in assists per game (0.29).
Petersen, a sophomore who played forward last year, appeared in 14 matches -- including 13 starts. The team’s second-leading scorer, she had five goals to go along with two assists for 12 points.
Another key returner and very versatile player for Knox is junior Rachael Koene (Golden Valley, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret's). “Rachael will be strong in between the pipes for us again,” Joseph said.
Koene started all 17 matches for the Fire last season, including five at goalkeeper. She also contributed two goals scored while playing in the field. Koene started 16 games at the goalie position during the 2010 season and recorded two shutouts.
Joseph said she’s hoping to utilize senior Sam Thomas (Algonquin, IL, Jacobs), juniors Brynn Cole (Corrales, NM, Bosque School) and Kate Babington (Greencastle, IN, Greencastle), and sophomore Delsey Ramirez (Highland Park, IL, Highland Park) to hold down the midfield and defensive positions. Sophomore midfielder Raleigh DeRose (Peoria, IL, Notre Dame) also returns after she was sidelined by an injury last season. “We all look forward to getting her back on the field,” Joseph said.
The Prairie Fire has nine new additions, including eight first-year student-athletes, on the roster this season. “Each of these players possesses the characteristics we need to complement our style of play and challenge it in a positive way,” Joseph said. “I am very excited about our new additions as well as the entire roster.”
Joseph said in her second season as the head coach, she expects that a new brand of Knox soccer will be apparent. “We will continue to build on our success, fitness, and efficient play. Team chemistry is one of our strengths, and we will use that to our advantage again this year. All in all, I am looking for a team commitment to excellence that will result in more wins.”
Knox begins the season with a match at home against Spalding University on August 31. The start time at Jorge Prats Field is at 12:00 p.m.
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