By FRAZIER SMITH
Contributing Writer
With a year of USA South experience under their belts, the women’s soccer team, led by head coach Stephen Andrew, look to take the first step towards winning a conference championship.
Returning with 19 women and bringing in nine freshmen, there’s a wonderful blend of talent, leadership and depth buried within this season’s roster.
This summer, the Lady Lions had the privilege of travelling to England and Scotland to enhance their skills in the game and take in the scenery.
When asked about the trip, senior goalkeeper Marjorie Hammond said, “We are confident about the upcoming season because we feel the trip helped to better prepare our team both mentally and physically.”
The women have been practicing nearly every day, working on the skills needed to bring home a conference championship.
Freshman midfielder Marissa Akin described the pre- season as “rigorous three-aday practice sessions,” where the main focus began with fitness and eventually switched over to finding “touches on the ball.”
She said that the upperclassmen have been valuable resources for the freshmen athletes.
“They made sure all of us freshmen knew where we were going and gave us advice for our professors,” said Akin. “Without the upperclassmen, I would feel lost.”
Entering the season ranked fourth in the coaches’ preseason poll, the Lady Lions will be looking to improve from a 2012 overall record of 13-6-1.
The first home match is scheduled against Truett-Mc- Connell College on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m..