It’s hard to imagine a single player impacting a conference title race (either by commission or omission) any more than Sarah Hagen and the Horizon League.

Hagen is now playing professionally with Bayern Munich in Germany, but her goal-scoring exploits over the past four seasons for Wisconsin-Milwaukee have made a lasting impact in the conference. She scored 93 goals in four seasons for the Panthers, earning All America status all four seasons and Horizon League Player of the Year three years running. 

But the program’s dominance didn’t start with Hagen. The Panthers have won the conference for 12 consecutive seasons. That’s a dynasty by any definition, but now head coach Mike Moynihan has moved to Northwestern and Hagen is in Germany. What will the league look like this season?

Brief Bio: Horizon League Women’s Soccer

2011 League Champions: Wisconsin-Milwaukee

2011 Tourney Champions: Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Conference Offensive Player of the Year: Sarah Hagen, Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Alexandra Suschak, Detroit(w); Jamie Forbes, Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Rookie of the Year: Amy Kauffung, Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Coach of the Year: Michael Moynihan, Wisconsin-Milwaukee

 

Teams (Overall/Conference record)

Wisconsin-Milwaukee 19-3-0/8-0-0

Greg Henschel knows that “hard to replace” doesn’t even begin to describe the effect of Hagen’s departure. He also has to replace four-year starters Makenzie Gillespie and Mary Wandolowski, plus all-league player Keara Thompson, but it’s not as though the cupboard is bare, either.

Milwaukee returns standout goalkeeper Jamie Forbes, midfielders Helen Steinhauser and Kelsey Holbert, plus defenders Emily Scott and league Newcomer of the Year Amy Kauffung. Kelly Lewers and Krissy Dorre will be asked to step in the goalscoring void as forwards.

It says here the Panthers are still the team to beat until somebody does it.

Detroit(w) 12-6-2/5-2-1

Detroit coach Mike Lupenec could boast of a balanced scoring attack last season, from which he returns Sarah Dzuris, Alyssa Riley, Abby McCollum and Kaitlyn Quarrell. Titans’ goalkeeper Nora Abolins is also back for what will surely be a robust title challenge.

Valparaiso 8-6-5/4-2-2

John Marovich’s Crusaders return key starters such as Rachel Hoaglin, Luisa Desario and goalkeeper Kristen Manski, but lose offensive threat Casey Pederson and defense workhorse Tracy Roos. Kelsey Draper will be an important returnee in the midfield.

Wright State 10-8-3/3-3-2

Brittany Persaud and her 21 points are gone for the Raiders, but Pat Ferguson returns some talented players from the team that went to the Horizon League Tournament final. Back on campus will be Adrianna Guerrero, Liz Soto, Sarah Gross, Lauren Patterson and goalkeeper Brooke McCurdy.

Cleveland State 10-7-2/3-3-2

Derrek Falor’s Vikings return leading scorer Taylor Vidovic, plus Valerie Stahl and Jaime Avona. Goalkeeper Becky Williams and midfielder Natalie Daniels are key departures.

Loyola-Chicago 6-10-3/2-4-2

Monica and Valerie Gonyo will be back to help spearhead the defensive effort (at goalkeeper and defender respectively).  Barry Bimbi’s Ramblers will need to improve considerably on last year’s goal-scoring production of 13 in 19 games.

Wisconsin-Green Bay 3-11-4/1-5-2

The Phoenix were outscored 23-8 on the season, and their won-loss record reflects that. Head coach Trevor Warren’s team gave up one goal or less in 14 of their 18 games. Now the team needs to add some offensive punch to that resolute defensive unit. There are 12 new face on the team’s roster for 2012. Hekla Palmadottir and Ahna Logan are among the returnees.

Youngstown State 3-10-4/0-5-3

Will Lemke’s Penguins suffered through a winless season in Horizon League play for 2011, and are hoping that 10 newcomers will combine with a more experienced core unit to provide an improvement in fortune for this season. 

Jade Flory’s 7 goals landed her on the league’s All-Newcomer Team. Also returning are Katie Peterlin, Heather Coonare and Allison Ludwig.