As the Colorado Force begins its season at 7 p.m. tonight against Seattle at the Loveland Sports Park, we take a look at the players who the Force will rely on most heavily in 2009:

GOALKEEPERS
Kara Linder
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
College: University of Colorado
Major: integrative physiology, interested in pre-pharmacy
—Linder missed most of last season, but Coach Craig Deacon says he has high expectations for her this year.

Maria del Guercio
Hometown: London, Ontario
College: Mississippi Valley State
Major: criminal justice; minor: business administration
—Won Southwest Athletic Conference title in 2005; All-SWAC first team in 2005, 2006 and 2007; SWAC MVP in 2007; defensive player of the year 2004, 2005 and 2006; Deacon describes del Guercio as “big strong and very fit. (She) looks well especially at shot stopping.”

Kelsey Lysander
Hometown: San Diego
College: Notre Dame
Major: political science, peace studies
—New to the team this season; spent much of preseason in rehab.

DEFENDERS
Carly Peetz
Hometown: Lincoln
College: University of Nebraska
Major: journalism-advertising
—Member of the U.S. U-20 national team pool in 2007, U-23 pool in 2008; played for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2007; Big 12 all-newcomer team in 2006; Big 12 commissioner’s honor roll in fall 2006, spring 2007; will be a senior at Nebraska; started every game for the Force last summer.

Mo Smunt
Hometown: St. Charles, Ill.
College: Northern Illinois
Major: kinesiology
—In high school, was named the Kane County Chronicle and St. Charles Republican player of the year; selected to all-conference, all-area and all-Illinois teams by the Daily Herald, Kane County Chronicle, St. Charles Republican; team MVP as a senior; Chicago Sun-Times all-area selection as a junior; earned Upstate Eight all-conference honors; at NIU, played 17 of 20 games during freshman season, starting 16; NIU advanced to semifinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament.

Estelle Johnson
—Returning player who has started every game for two seasons; one of four former Fort Collins high school players on the team (Rocky Mountain High School).

Sally Cole
Hometown: Yukon, Okla.
College: University of Oklahoma
—Currently a high school math teacher and soccer coach at Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City; four-time first-eam all-American from 1999-2003; academic all-American in 2002 and 2003; scored 16 goals as a sweeper in 2003; all-NCAA Tournament team from 1999 to 2003; started every game at center back for the Force in 2008; great speed and quality service with both feet.

MIDFIELDERS
Cayla Deacon
Hometown: Rapid City, S.D.
College: St. Gregory’s University
Major: exercise physiology-sports medicine
—Brings experience and leadership, eighth year with the Force, longest-tenured member of the side.

Lisa Kosena
Hometown: Greenwood Village
College: Cal State-Fullerton
Major: studying for a master’s degree in clinical counseling
—Won a state championship with Cherry Creek High School in 2001; went to Sweet 16 with Fullerton in 2005.

Maggie Doe
Hometown: Fort Collins
College: Loyola University, Chicago
Major: biology/pre-med
—Returning player, came up through the ranks; looking to establish herself in midfield this season; great distribution and vision; Deacon says she played her best game against Pali Blues last summer; first-team all-conference and team MVP at Poudre High School in 2007; won Eleanor Troxell Award (outstanding senior athlete at Poudre High); one of four players on the team who played high school soccer in Fort Collins.

Alex Cousins
Hometown: Fort Collins
College: University of Colorado
Major: environmental studies
— Class 5A Player of the Year 2004; all-state in 2004, 2005; CU captain; Deacon says she has endless amounts of potential; brings a great physical presence; versatile player; played for Fort Collins High School.

FORWARDS
Nikki Marshall
Hometown: Mead
College: University of Colorado
—Played on the winning U-20 World Cup team; MVP of the World Cup final. Has been training with the U-23 national team this year; entering senior year at CU; great speed and strength; Shay Marshall, Nikki’s younger sister, joined the Force this season, and both are graduates of Skyline High School in Longmont; Nikki also will play for CU this fall.

Shay Powell
College: University of Nebraska
Major: psychology
—Soccer Buzz national player of the week in 2008; W-League player of the week in 2008; all-W-League in 2008; aspires to play professionally, either the U.S. or elsewhere, for a year or two then
attend law school; scored 13 goals last season with Ottawa Fury of the W-League; Deacon said, “We have been trying to recruit Shay for three years.”

Emmalie Pfankuch
Hometown: Fort Collins
College: North Carolina
—All-American in 2007; Region IV Olympic Development Program; Colorado ODP from 2002 to 2006; Front Range League MVP 2007; all-Colorado in 2007; won U-18 national title with Nike Rush; won NCAA championship during her freshman year at North Carolina; attended Fort Collins High School.

Molly Thomas
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
College: University of Nebraska.
—Gatorade Player of the Year 2007; Nebraska Shrine Classic MVP; Greater Omaha Sports Committee scholar athlete of the year; Nebraska Super State 2006, 2007 and 2008 (captain in 2007 & 2008); Omaha World Herald first team all-Nebraska 2006, 2007 and 2008 (captain in 2008); Big 12 all-newcomer team in 2008.

Julie Williford
Hometown: Little Rock, Ark.
College: University of Arkansas
—Seven years of W-league experience; was selected to the WPS combine; very dynamic, spontaneous player with a lot of speed; in her fourth season with the Force, second-longest tenure on the team.

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• Force hosts Ventura County tonight
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• Four-game unbeaten streak on the line
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