After finishing last season 20-2-1 at the NCAA Division II national championship quarterfinals, it’s safe to say that the ACU women’s soccer team is ready to pick up where they left off this year.
“We have quite a bit of returning starters and player from last year,” head coach Casey Wilson said. “The experience coming back after last season takes a lot of the apprehension out of what we can do as a team.”
The Wildcats are coming back with eight starters, all of which were key members of the 2011 Lone Star Conference and regional title winning team. Only three players are not from last year, keeping the bulk of the team in tact.
The roster will once again feature junior all-American forward Andrea Carpenter, recently recognized as the LSC preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Â Carpenter claims a career total of 38-goals in 44 starts, an ACU record.
Seniors Julie Coppedge, Arielle Moncure, Stephanie Heron, Lexi Stirling, and Krysta Grimm are also expected to lead their team once again.
“All five seniors are very talented players who have made quite an impact on this program,” Wilson said. “A lot of the seniors have played in many of the games here, so that’s exciting in itself.”
In addition to the returning players, Wilson is looking forward to several newcomers in the program.
“Lindsey Jones, Mandy Stratton, and Allie Vinson are three freshman that I feel could make an impact this year,” Wilson said. “They have quite a bit of experience that can help us out.”
Jones and Stratton are expected to play on defense and in midfield throughout the season.
The Wildcats will begin their season at Dallas Baptist University on Thursday. After winning two close games against the Patriots the previous season, ACU is prepared for what could easily be an exciting game.
“We played them for the first game of the season and for the regional championship at the end of last year, winning both games in overtime,” Wilson said. “They’re a good program and I think it will be an excellent test right off the bat. We’re excited to go into our first game and have our first game be an important one is great to have our girls focused. They know what they’re getting into and who we’re gonna play so I think they are ready to go.”
Heavily favored to win this year’s Lone Star Conference title once again, the Wildcats are eager to jump into action this season with a great start.
“I feel like we can hit the ground running one more year with the amount of experience we have,” Wilson said. And that’s exciting.”
