Roark takes control in net
Ryan Turner
Issue date: 8/19/07 Section: Sports
When Lauren Davis graduated last spring, she left some pretty big cleats to fill.
In four years at Truman, Davis not only played a key role in capturing three conference titles but also set several club records. But indications are that she left her position to capable hands.
Junior Emily Roark started four games, appearing in eight, for Truman last year while serving as Davis' backup.
She posted a 2-1-1 record, as well as a .38 goals against average. Both wins came via shutout performances.
Head coach Mike Cannon said Roark played about a quarter of the total minutes last season, and her experience has helped prepare her for this year.
"She's had experience the last couple of years," Cannon said. "We're confident in her. She came in very fit and ready to work."
For Roark, being prepared is part of the game. She's come ready to play for every game the last two years as a backup. If something happened to Davis, Roark said she needed to already be in the gametime mindset.
"[The biggest thing is] just coming in knowing that you have a job to get done and having to be mentally and physically prepared to do that," Roark said.
Roark said Davis set a good example as a goalkeeper.
"She did a great job for the team for four years so hopefully I can just fall into her footsteps and put as much effort and heart into it as she did," Roark said.
The spring season also provided invaluable time for the defensive lines to get used to Roark.
"We feel pretty comfortable with each other," Roark said.
The forwards appear to be just as secure with Roark as their backbone.
"She has been behind Lauren Davis, who is a great goalkeeper, and she taught Emily Roark a lot of things," sophomore forward Jessica Wiegert said. "I'm confident that this year, being her first year starting, that she'll do great things as well."
Cannon said he is employing a more offensive-minded strategy, which will probably put more pressure on Roark as a keeper.
In four years at Truman, Davis not only played a key role in capturing three conference titles but also set several club records. But indications are that she left her position to capable hands.
Junior Emily Roark started four games, appearing in eight, for Truman last year while serving as Davis' backup.
She posted a 2-1-1 record, as well as a .38 goals against average. Both wins came via shutout performances.
Head coach Mike Cannon said Roark played about a quarter of the total minutes last season, and her experience has helped prepare her for this year.
"She's had experience the last couple of years," Cannon said. "We're confident in her. She came in very fit and ready to work."
For Roark, being prepared is part of the game. She's come ready to play for every game the last two years as a backup. If something happened to Davis, Roark said she needed to already be in the gametime mindset.
"[The biggest thing is] just coming in knowing that you have a job to get done and having to be mentally and physically prepared to do that," Roark said.
Roark said Davis set a good example as a goalkeeper.
"She did a great job for the team for four years so hopefully I can just fall into her footsteps and put as much effort and heart into it as she did," Roark said.
The spring season also provided invaluable time for the defensive lines to get used to Roark.
"We feel pretty comfortable with each other," Roark said.
The forwards appear to be just as secure with Roark as their backbone.
"She has been behind Lauren Davis, who is a great goalkeeper, and she taught Emily Roark a lot of things," sophomore forward Jessica Wiegert said. "I'm confident that this year, being her first year starting, that she'll do great things as well."
Cannon said he is employing a more offensive-minded strategy, which will probably put more pressure on Roark as a keeper.
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