Freshman Alison Doyle is the new goalie for the Lady Eagles and she has held her own in her first few games. Since taking over the starting role she has done her best to make the fans forget that former player Jen Liese, who transferred to Penn State, posted a 1.59 goals against average in her two years here at AU.
Doyle, a freshman out of Tampa, Fla. has come in and provided the defending Patriot League champions a new look between the posts. She combined with Lauren Wohl for a 1-0 shutout against Mt. St. Mary's and lost a close 3-2 game against Virginia Tech in which she had eight saves.
Although she has had her fair share of success, she has also had a rude awakening against a skilled Princeton side that was able to move the ball around the field well and ended up beating AU 4-1.
"In the Princeton game the whole team was good. I have never seen a team that played so well together and moved as one unit," Doyle said. "College soccer is so much faster and more skillful than high school."
The pace of play and level of talent are not the only things that have changed in college. Doyle is required to attend at least eight hours of study hall a week as well as soccer commitments, off and on the field.
"I have to work out even on off days," Doyle said.
She has been fortunate to have some great guidance from fellow teammates.
"Jill Savanni has really helped me with the hardships of living on my own and has really been a good friend and someone I can talk to," Doyle said. "On the field Amy Muller is a great sweeper and has helped us to work together and communicate as defense and goalie."
College soccer is much different from the high school game, but with the differences come added advantages.
"The team has taught me to have more confidence in the defense," Doyle said. "They also have instilled in me the value of being on a Div. I team."
Doyle is a biology major and has intentions of going to medical school after her undergraduate days at AU.
"My long-term goals are to stay here at AU and continue to succeed in soccer," Doyle said. "Our team goal is to win the Patriot League again and do well in the NCAA tournament."
Although it is too early to tell if she will ever eclipse Liese's success, one thing is for sure: Doyle is a talented goalie who will surely strive for success and is likely to succeed, whether it be in the classroom or on the playing field.
The next two home games are on Sept. 19 against Arkansas at 4 p.m. and Sept. 21 against Columbia at 1 p.m.
