Soccer Opens Preseason Camp
8/9/2013 11:20:00 AM | Soccer
With one senior and six returning starters, the Sam Houston State University women's soccer team reported for preseason camp Friday morning. 12 newcomers will compete for starting roles leading up to the season opener against Texas Southern, August 25.
With the loss of seven seniors, head coach Tom Brown will have to find replacements for all four spots along the backline as well as proven goal scorers up front.
The lone senior, Tricia Mallory, will move into a midfield role after playing as a forward in her previous three seasons. Mallory's 22 career goals stands second all-time at Sam Houston.
“Tricia Mallory is our lone senior and she'll do a great job providing leadership for us,” Brown said. “She's been working hard and we're excited to see what she's going to bring to the team and how she's going to lead us throughout the season.”
The Bearkat coaching staff hopes that Mallory's leadership and creativity will be a great asset in the midfield.
The bulk of this season's incoming players are forwards. Five of the Kats 12 newcomers will vie for spots along the front line. They will have to contend with the team's leading returning goal scorer Katie Ferrara.
“We have a young group coming in but we feel our young players can really step in,” said Brown. “They may be young but we feel like we have some very experienced players coming in that they can step in at the college level and contribute right away.”
Other returning starters Ashley Fluty, Shelby McDaniel and Mariah Titus will provide some experience. The Kats will get another veteran player back from injury, in Emily Edenstrom.
Last season's Southland Freshman of the Year, Kylie Hambleton, will look to build off a great first year in goal for SHSU.
“Kylie is a great player for us and she had a great freshman year. She's going to have a fairly new backline in front of her this year but we feel that will allow her to bring her leadership to the team this year.
Brown is excited about the outstanding group of newcomers, several of whom will be in the mix for playing time. The list includes: Megan Bennett of Spring; Kylie Dick of San Diego, Calif.; Miriah Hadley of Grapevine; Jacey Hamilton of Waxahachie; Jordan Jarzombek of Spring; Allie Johnson of Allen; Madeline Panozzo of LaMirada, Calif.; Madison Sanders of Cedar Park and Shannon Shields of Tucson, Ariz.; and transfers Kaisa Marshall of University of Memphis and Magen Ross of Texas State.
“With 28 players on the roster this year we're really excited about the things we can accomplish,” Brown said in closing.
Sam Houston opens the 2013 season with Texas Southern Aug. 25 before hitting the road. The Kats only other home match before Southland play in October is a Sept. 8 contest with Prairie View A&M.
