Scouting Jacobs Golden Eagles

Jacobs Golden Eagles

Coach: Keith Chuipek (2nd year, 4-22)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley Division)

2010-2011 record: 4-22, 2-7 (FVC Valley)

Top returning players: Jessica Tennant (5-11), Lauren Grady, (5-11) Amy Becker (5-8), Payton Berg (5-5), Nikki Chappa (5-3), Maggie Hanson (5-4), Torri Tamburrino (5-10), Nailah Byrd (5-7), Jennifer Chesney (5-10).

Key newcomers: Alyssa Lach (5-3), Jackie Bartolai (5-10), Kelly Grad (5-3), Nikkie Diana (5-10), Jordan Gunther (5-4), Jennifer Barnec (5-8), Lindsey Larson (6-1).

Outlook: Last year’s young Golden Eagles team is growing up fast, going from having just one senior to now having six. Head coach Keith Chuipek knows that the experience will be the difference this season. “People get better as they get older,” said Chuipek. “They did everything they usually do in the summer. We’re putting the pieces together and hopefully that works for us.” The veterans will be joined by five new players this season; and Chuipek expects them to continue growing so the Golden Eagles can compete not only this year, but in the next couple of years as well. “They’ll be fighting for playing time,” he said. “We’re looking for them to learn the system and be able to step in and fill the shoes of the seniors so we can be competitive every year instead of being up and down.” After the Golden Eagles finished the 2010-2011 campaign with 4 wins (2 in conference), Chuipek goes into this season with more confidence that his team can compete against a tough division in the Fox Valley. “We’re much better on defense and on offense (this season),” he said. “Last season, we had a hard time putting the ball in the net. Our defense got better toward the end of the year so hopefully we can build off of that.”