Kats look to mesh, open practice Wednesday
8/2/2017 6:01:00 PM | Soccer
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State will see a collection of new faces on the pitch this fall. Wednesday night's opening practice offers the first major opportunity to see how they work together as a team.
The Bearkats, who return just four starters, will use their time leading into the season opener on Aug. 18 against Cal State-Bakersfield, to put into the place the game models and philosophies of the program.
“At the beginning here, we'll be focused on defending and what our philosophies will be there and how that moves into winning the ball and transitioning into the attack,” head coach Tom Brown said. “Next week will be a little more of being in the attack and the philosophies there. The system of how we organize players can change but the philosophies and those underpinnings should always be the same.”
Sam Houston is looking to rebound from a disappointing result a season ago, missing the Southland Conference Tournament for the first time since 2008. Despite that, Brown feels confident in the additions in place for a program just two years removed from a tournament title appearance.
“Early on, we really gave up too many goals in game where we were having to chase games,” Brown said. “We think we have a group that has come in who can help defend in the back and also in goal that can keep us in games. The other piece of that is partly because of that, we weren't scoring a lot of goals. I think with the spring transfers, we've added some firepower to our attack. Even with this group who are coming in as freshmen, I think there are several special players who can really help turn that around.”
Ashley Long, alongside Beryl Smith, make up the two-member senior class who will look to navigate the newcomers through the intense preseason training. The defender clocked 682 minutes a season ago and has 31 collegiate games under her belt.
“I am excited, especially because we have so many new faces,” Long said. “I was working in camp this summer so to come back and hear how good the summer went, it got me hyped. Since there are two of us, I know I can really help lead the team.”
Meanwhile, sophomore Carlota-Suarez Crespo is among three mid-year transfers the Kats added in January, alongside Briana Woodall and Carly English, who showcased their abilities during the spring slate and now have an opportunity to build on that this fall.
“I am really excited to play again and to start the season with the new people,” Suarez said. “I think this season will be really good. I am excited to see how it will go. In the spring, I learned everyone wants to play together, go in the same direction and win.”
Sam Houston enters fall practice injury free, looking to make the most of its limited time heading into the upcoming campaign. The Bearkats will play road matches on Aug. 18 and 20 before opening the home slate against Jackson State on Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m. from Pritchett Field.
“This is the part of the job we all like,” Brown said. “It's not necessarily sitting behind the desk doing paper work. We like to be out there training. Even though we've had the spring, this is really the first step in putting the bad taste out from last season.”
