Lady Jacket Soccer Names Captains for 2005 (Mar. 30, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings head women’s soccer coach Don Trentham has selected Ally Taylor and Megan Plank as the team’s captains for the 2005 season.  Both players are juniors and played key roles in last year’s school record season.  The Yellowjackets finished 12-4-3 in 2004 and were ranked tenth in the Far West Region.

“In replacing three year captain Candy Cherry, Ally Taylor and Megan Plank will have some big shoes to fill,” said Trentham.  “Candy was instrumental in the rebuilding process of our program, leading the program from 2-14 (2002) to 12-4-3 (2004).  I believe Megan and Ally will pick up right where Candy left off because day in and day out they lead by example, not only on the field, but in the classroom.  They expect a lot from their teammates, but they expect more from themselves.  They are exactly what our program is about – they are team oriented, hard working, dedicated, disciplined and passionate about MSUB soccer.  With their leadership, this program will not only continue to win over the next two years, but will compete for conference championships and possibly become one of the top teams in the Midwest Region.”    

Plank, a native of Phoenix, AZ, has been the Jackets’ starting goalkeeper since her freshman season.  Her 18 wins in two years are already the most for any goalkeeper in the program’s history.  She is currently second on the career list for saves with 191 and will pass Gretchan Kaus (211) next season for first.  Plank’s next shutout will also tie her with Kaus for the school record at nine.

Taylor, a midfielder from Ojai, CA, has been one of the Jackets’ most explosive players over the past two seasons.  She has started all 36 games of her career and is currently third in school history for points scored and goals scored.  She has 15 career goals and 45 career points.  Taylor’s 24 points last season (eight goals and eight assists) placed her third in the single season record book.