After capturing their second consecutive NCAA regional championship in 2006 the Big Red will return a veteran squad to the pitch in 2007. Eleventh year head coach Gail Murphy returns All-American goalkeeper Liz Gillette and the North Coast Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year, Kim Cochran.

Gillette returns in the goal for her fourth season as a starter. She posted a 0.50 goals against average last season and notched 10 shutouts. In her career, Gillette has posted 28 shutouts and has logged over 5,600 minutes in goal.

The Big Red returns a solid back four. Seniors Kim Cochran and Kia Anderson are both three-year starters and have 129 career matches and seven NCAA Tournament contests under their belt. Rounding out the Big Red defense are junior Molly Ruano and sophomore Katie Eckenhoff.

DU brings back a wealth of experience in the attack. Senior Jessie Birdwhistell and junior Sarah Ash spent time in both the midfield and at forward last season. They each were named to the 2006 NCAC All-Conference team. Senior Laryn Kovalik had a strong showing at last year’s NCAA tournament after returning from a mid-season injury. Also returning to the offensive third is junior Ashley Fairhurst and sophomores Anna Rusch, Lauren Kuehn, and Julie Dean.

Rounding out the returning squad are sophomores Leah Ellis, Kate Henderson, Jesse Leary and goalkeeper Courtney Cobb who appeared in three matches and notched four saves in 2006.

The Big Red traditionally plays one of the toughest schedules in the nation and this year is no different. Denison is ranked 22nd in the NSCAA/Adidas Division III preseason poll and they will be tested early on with matches in the opening two weeks of the season versus preseason #12, Rochester and preseason #10 Washington & Lee.

Denison women's soccer has won 46 matches over the last three seasons and has posted a 19-3-2 record in the NCAC. DU will open the season on Sept. 1 against Hope College in the Denison/Kenyon Classic which will begin at 1 p.m. at Barclay-Thomsen Field.