Can the Pirates move forward? That is the question facing Whitworth University’s women’s soccer team coming off of the most successful season since the school became a full NCAA Division III member in 1998.

The Bucs went 18-3 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament in 2007, setting school records for wins and competing in a national tournament for the first time.

“The NCAA tournament experience was one this team would like to have again, and the players have put in many hours of work during the off-season to try to make this happen,” said 12th-year head coach Sean Bushey, who was named Northwest Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. “Last year was great, but this is a different season and we look forward to what lies ahead.”

Whitworth returns eight starters, including leading scorer Lindsey Oakes (Jr., MF, Boise, Idaho – Boise), who scored 10 goals and added five assists in 2007. But the Pirates will have to move on without Jael Hagerott, who is the all-time leader in assists at Whitworth, and two-time all-conference player Greta Thibodeau, who both graduated.

“Greta and Jael certainly had a say in many of our goals last year, but I am confident that Whitney (Ramsey), Penelope (Crowe) and Emily (Rohde) will be a handful for our opponents as well,” said Bushey. “One of the best assets Jael had was teaching others how to work and how to be better, which has left and indelible mark on our program.”

The Whitworth defense should be strong again this season after posting a goals-against average of 0.86 in 2007. Krista Dietz (Jr., GK, Enumclaw, Wash.) returns to start in net, where she had four shutouts last season with a 0.99 GAA. Callie Bergstrom (Fr., GK, Spokane, Wash.) helped Mt. Spokane High School reach the Washington 3A quarterfinals last season.

Seniors Kelly Baker (D, Boise, Idaho – Boise) and Kim Mitchell (D, Los Altos, Calif. – The King’s Academy) lead a strong defensive backfield. Mitchell led the Bucs in minutes played in 2007. Kaylyn Plumb (So., D, Newman Lake, Wash.) scored eight goals as a freshman while coming up from her defensive position. Miranda Cosand (Jr., D, Maple Valley, Calif.) and Kelly Lunde (So., D, Vancouver, Wash.) also have starting experience on the defensive end.

Oakes will anchor the midfield for the Pirates. She will be joined by veteran Kara Tisthammer (Sr., MF, Spokane, Wash.). Emily Rohde (So., MF, Lake Oswego, Ore.) scored six goals last season despite missing seven games with an injury. Mahyo Seyedali (Sr., MF, Kirkland, Wash.) and Ellen Seagraves (So., MF, Missoula, Mont.) have significant game experience as well.

Penelope Crowe (Sr., F, Bellingham, Wash.) and Whitney Ramsey (Sr., F, Spokane, Wash.), who combined for nine goals and 13 assists last fall, return as starting attacking forwards. Jenny Krzymowski (So., F, Gallup, N.M.) saw solid action as a rookie last year.

Once again Whitworth will play a challenging non-conference schedule before taking on the NWC. Whitworth will play NCAA Division III independents Chapman, UC Santa Cruz (in a rematch of last year’s NCAA First Round) and Cal State East Bay before hosting Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The University of Puget Sound, which handed Whitworth all three losses last season while winning the conference by a half game over the Pirates, is again heavily favored in 2008. But there are no easy matches in the conference this year with Whitman, George Fox, Willamette and Pacific Lutheran expected to challenge for top spots in the standings.

“We like to test ourselves against quality teams,” said Bushey. “By the end of the non-conference schedule we will have our identity firmly established and be prepared to take on the tough competition in the NWC.”