Key Components

 Seniors, Katie Manstrom, Anja Burk, and Paige Howell

Lost in the shuffle of the last couple of games, some great results the Hornets have not seen in several years was that 3 very important players were honored a week ago before the final regularly scheduled home game.  These three individuals have meant quite a bit to the Kalamazoo College Women's Soccer program over the past three years.

The Kalamazoo College, class of 2010 arrived on campus in the August of 2006 and joined a women’s soccer program that was struggling to find leadership and consistency. In the four years previous to their careers the Kalamazoo College women’s soccer team had not recorded better than a 5th place finish in the MIAA. During their four years here they have helped restored a respect for the women’s soccer program here at K. Their class accomplishments include helping earn the program’s 300th win, two league finishes of third place or better in the past three years and an opportunity to record the program’s best league finish in the past eight years this season. There is no question that after their last practices have passed and final minutes wind down in their careers that the class of 2010 has been a key component to constructing a foundation of leadership and consistency that has allowed the Hornets to be successful this year as well as in the seasons to come. Let’s take a minute now to meet these outstanding individuals.

 #8, A Senior Captain from Huntington Woods, MI: Paige Howell
Primarily an outside midfielder Paige has played three years for the Hornets. Her junior season she spent studying abroad and playing soccer in Ecuador. Her career statistics included 6 goals and 8 assists for a total of 20pts. Paige is best known for her tireless work attacking down the wing, serving in dangerous balls, and also making those long recovery runs on defense. She is the type of player that never wants to come off the field and has to be dragged off. Her leadership has also been important to the success of the current team in that she is always looking to make herself and her teammates better. She is player that has a great passion for the game of soccer whether it cheering on her beloved Liverpool or dueling it out at practice. In the spring Howell will graduate with a biology major and concentration in environmental science.

#13, A Senior Captain from Kalamazoo, MI: Katie Manstrom

A local product from Kalamazoo Central High School, Manstrom is a four year starter in the midfield for the orange and black. She has played minutes as both a center mid and outside mid. Katie possesses strong ball control and vision, often serving as a catalyst for initiating the Hornet attack out of the midfield. During her career she has scored 11 goals and been credited with 9 assists for a total of 31 points. As well as Katie’s work on the field she has also made numerous contributions to the program in a number of other ways. Coordinating off season playing opportunities, working soccer camp, helping out in the office, Kaite has been committed to not only making herself better but also providing the best experience for her teammates. Growing up in Kalamazoo she has also helped get local support most likely accounting for the greatest number of fans at home games over the past four years. Manstrom is a senior psychology major.

#23, A Senior from Saline, MI: Anja Burk

Burk has been one of the most consistent defenders to have played for the Hornets in the past decade. A three year starter, Anja spent her junior year studying abroad in France. She has seen time as an outside back and center back. Known for her durability she has only missed one game in her career. Possessing a very quiet personality Anja is fierce competitor who rarely makes it easy for the opponent or her teammates at practice. On the field she is rarely out of position and also possesses one of the best headers on the team. As a defender she has not accumulated any offensive statistics at this time but was recently named MIAA player of the week for her defensive performance against Hope and Olivet. Burk has also taken her relentless work ethic to the classroom and will graduate in the spring with a major in Biology.
The Hornet soccer program is grateful for the contributions of these three superb young women and wishes them continued success this year and also with all their challenges and endeavors after graduation. Thank You and Good Luck, Kalamazoo Class of 2010!

GO HORNETS!!!