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She just has mentality and spirit that inspires confidence. "Her absence was a huge hole for us last year." Surrounding Purdue's experienced nucleus is an incoming freshman class that has impressed many of their upperclassmen teammates. Breaking into the starting 11 may be difficult initially, but several newcomers could become impact players early in their Boiler careers, including Maddy Williams and Juliana Hairston, Alex's younger sister. With the preseason winding down, Klatte's team still has a few questions to be answered. But most of all, as Purdue transitions from pracPurdue Junior Alex Hairston was one of Purdue's leading goal scorers in tices to games he is hoping to see a more upbeat 2012 with four. style of play that is technically sound. "I want to see the commitment from them to "It's a hard change to make," Pawlik said. "I've just play fun and free," Klatte said. "But that means been working to build confidence in that position, being positioned correctly, being prepared, linking and it's going to take time. I'm OK with the change together and finding space, and a willingness to be if that's what it takes for us to be winning, because interchangeable on the field." that is the most important thing. Following a friendly scrimmage with Louisville "It's a different role with different guidelines. Aug. 17, which the Boilermaker lost 2-1 in overtime, Whatever role I need to play, I am going to complete Klatte will get his first look at how his team does that role." in each of those areas at the Boilermaker Challenge But even though Pawlik will be moving to the back Cup. Purdue will play host to Akron, Xavier or North line, Klatte still envisions her playing an important Dakota over three days. role in Purdue's offensive attack, having the freedom "I feel our match fitness isn't quite there yet," to get forward at any opportunity and ideally jump- Hairston said. "Yet, we are building for something start the Boilers' counter-attack. and Louisville is a really good team so we got someKlatte made the move in large part to help improve thing accomplished offensively despite losing the the passing and stability along his team's back line, match." one of Pawlik's strengths. But he was also able to As Purdue begins the 16th season in program hismake such a move — taking his leading scorer out tory, the Boilers hope to return to the form that made of an offensive position — because of the experi- them postseason mainstays as recently as four years enced scorers around her. Purdue returns every goal ago. scorer from a year ago, including Stuart, junior Alex "Our expectations for this season are to make the Hairston, and junior Taylor Niewoit, who scored four NCAAs," Klatte said. "We have the players who are goals apiece in 2012. going to lead us and we are coming from a mentality Purdue also gets Kuramoto's services back after that we are going to be physically prepared for this she missed all of last fall due to injury. Klatte hopes season. We don't want to be ending our season in she can return to the form that saw her hand out five October; we want to be playing our best soccer in Noassists as a sophomore in 2011. vember and December (in the NCAA Tournament)." "Molly is going to be one of our attacking four," j Klatte said. "She is great in the air and has incredible mobility off the ball that is an absolute delight. 102 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 1 f