Clarksville, Ark.-The women?s soccer team opened preseason training over the weekend and Head Coach Bryan Drotar likes what he sees early on.
The Lady Eagles return nearly every starter for the 2013 campaign. The team’s top two goal scorers are back, and on defense, three-year starting defender Monica Seiler will patrol the backline. Goalkeeper Mary Eoff returns after starting 17 matches last season, but will be pushed by fellow sophomore Codie Freeman. Sophomore forward Haley Gilliam produced a spectacular freshman season with six goals and one assist in 2012. Junior forward MaKenna Piha scored a pair of goals and contributed two assists.
After a few days of training, Drotar is pleased with his team’s progress.
“This has been a very exciting couple of days,” said Drotar. “Tactically, we have to come together, and I think we will be better on the attacking side and defending side this season. Our upperclassmen have come back prepared.”
Drotar also noted that his team has a good mix of players, including a strong freshmen class.
“We have been really young the past two seasons, but this year the team is a good mix of younger and experienced players,” he said. “The junior class is beginning to develop into leaders. And, we have four new players that will challenge for playing time on the field.”
The Lady Eagles will open the season August 30 against Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge.
Topics: Athletics