Whits welcome back Hagerott

Controlling the midfield is one path to success on a soccer field, and Whitworth’s Jael Hagerott has returned to serve as the trail guide for the women’s soccer team.

An offensive-minded midfielder, Hagerott was lost for nearly the entire season last year after suffering a knee injury in the Pirates’ first game. She was trying to build on a freshman season in which she was named the Northwest Conference offensive most valuable player. Now a redshirt junior, Hagerott has 20 career goals and 19 assists.

“Jael is such a good soccer player, both in technique and quality of thought, there are few out there that are better,” Bushey said on the school’s Web site.

Whitworth features additional experience in the midfield with senior Meghan Johnson and junior Kara Tisthammer. Forward Whitney Ramsey scored three goals last year as a freshman and will cement the front line.

On defense, redshirt junior Sarah Brogden-Thome also is returning from a season-ending injury. She and senior Katy Jones will provide veteran leadership in the back.

Bushey must find a new goalkeeper for the first time in four years after Jenn Miller graduated. Junior Leah Motz and sophomore Krista Dietz are battling for the starting job.