University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Set To Open 2006 Season
8/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 23, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -
Middle Tennessee St./La-Lafayette-Southern Miss Game Notes
The Southern Miss soccer team begins its season on the road for the first time since the 2003 season Friday, facing Middle Tennessee State, before playing at Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday.
The Lady Eagles enter the match after dropping a 3-2 exhibition match in the closing seconds to Samford on August 17. The match saw goals from Jessica Stephens, off an assist from Keliah Hopkins, and Sarah McFadden off an assist from Megan Kolts. Goalkeeper Holly Cox finished with five saves, while Christina Duvall made four.
Southern Miss, under the direction of third-year Head Coach Gail Macklin, returns 10 starters and 17 letterwinners from last year's squad that finished 4-9-2.
Sophomore Sarah McFadden, a 2005 Conference USA All-Freshman selection, returns a team-best six goals and 13 points this season. Senior Kim Turner returns five goals, one assist and 11 points, while senior Carly Barkley returns four goals, along with a squad-best three assists and 40 shots. Senior Sarah Brennan returns three goals, while junior Megan Kolts returns one.
Defensively, the Lady Eagles return sophomore Holly Cox, who posted 53 saves in goal last year. Also returning on defense is senior Katie Warmington and juniors Jackie Ryan and Erin Bunyard.
Southern Miss and Middle Tennessee State will meet for the fourth time in school history, with Southern Miss holding a 3-0 series advantage. The two teams have not met since the 2003 season, a 2-0 Southern Miss victory in Hattiesburg. The first meeting came in 2001, as the Lady Eagles opened that season with a 1-0 victory in Hattiesburg. Southern Miss also won the only meeting in Murfreesboro, Tenn., a 2-0 victory.
Middle Tennesee State, under the direction of Head Coach Aston Rhoden, finished 13-5-2 in 2005, and returns eight starters and 13 letterwinners from that team. The Blue Raiders are led by Rebecca Rodriguez, who posted 12 goals, nine assists and 33 points in 2005. Holly Grogan returns 10 goals and two assists, along with seven goals and five assists from Kala Morgan.
Southern Miss and Louisiana-Lafayette will meet for the third time on Sunday. The Lady Eagles opened the 2005 season with a 5-2 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns in Hattiesburg. Southern Miss defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 2-0 in Lafayette, La., in 2003.
Louisiana-Lafayette, under the direction of Head Coach Scot Wieland, finished 4-10-3 in 2005. The Ragin' Cajuns return eight starters and 17 letterwinners from last year's team, including Lindsey Webb, who scored three goals and posted an assist last season. Louisiana-Lafayette also returns three goals by Taunya Geelhoed and Erika Saffer, along with 85 saves from goalkeeper Stephanie Weston.
Southern Miss opens its home schedule on Friday, Sept. 1, hosting Murray State in a 4 p.m., contest.
