By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

Kimberly Niedzwiecki's graduation forced the Manchester Memorial High School girls soccer team to change its game plan for the 2005 season.

In '04, Niedzwiecki was the team's leading goal scorer. This year, the Crusaders depend on five athletes to produce on offense.

"Everyone else had to step up. We're a lot more equal up front and the talent is so spread out," said Auburn's Kariel Parian, a sophomore defender. "(Playing without Niedzwiecki) brought us together more. With Kim, everyone expected her to score the goals. (Now), we have more than one player to depend on."

Niedzwiecki tallied 24 of the team's 29 goals last year. The Crusaders went 9-7 and lost to Bishop Guertin of Nashua in the second round of the Class L tournament.

Against Timberlane in the first round, Niedzwiecki broke her foot early in the match. According to Parian, the team had difficulty creating offensive chances, despite winning, 1-0.

So far this year, the Crusaders have looked to Kaleigh Roberge, Caitlin McKinney, Ryann Healy, Caitlin Cook, Amber Murphy, and Auburn's Kristen Lipsett on offense.

In the club's 4-0 win against Trinity of Manchester on Monday, Oct. 3, at Memorial High School, the Crusaders and Pioneers battled to a scoreless tie at halftime, but Memorial dominated the second half.

Roberge had two goals and McKinney added one, while Auburn's Cory Andrus scored her first career varsity goal.

According to Memorial head coach Dan Wyborney, Niedzwiecki's graduation made the team better because everyone on the club had to take responsibility for the offense.

The '05 starting lineup is led by two sophomores and four freshmen, with half the team's goals scored by freshmen, the head coach said.

According to Wyborney, some of his players play for statechampionship travel teams, so they're familiar with the pressures of piecing together a successful season.

"(The fact they play for winning teams in) travel soccer makes a huge difference right away," said Wyborney, who's been without leaders Catherine Goeman and Lipsett for six games due to injuries. "You can tell when they step on the field right away that this is someone who's played at a high level."

The '05 roster includes Auburn's Andrus, Kelsey Isham, Lipsett and Parian; plus Laura Brodeur, Jill Brown, Cook, Meghan Croto, Kristen Finefrock, April Frink, Goeman, Kaley Griffin, Healy, Danielle Janas, Jill Kinney, Chelsea Kurker, Katie Leary, Vanessa Letorneau, McKinney, Ashley Molloy, Murphy, Natasha Poulin, Roberge, Liz Roy, Chantel Van Rossum and Desiree Van Rossum.

"What's good about (the club's strategy without Niedzwiecki) is the goals are spread out," Parian said. "If someone gets hurt or something happens, others (can step) up."