HENDERSON, Tenn. - It is a rare situation for a team to return all its starters from the previous season, but that is the situation that exists for the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion soccer team as the 2010 season begins.
The 2009 squad had no seniors on the roster and while a handful of players did not return from that team, the core group of players will return to the field for FHU as the new season kicks off in August when head coach Jason Elliott begins his 10th season.
Last year the Lady Lions went 2-13-2 overall and 0-6 in conference play, but were saddled with injuries for the majority of the season.
"Our 2009 season was marked by injuries as many games we had up to five and six keyplayers out of matches," said Elliott. "I think our freshman class has added some much-needed depth to help when people are injured. I would look for big things out of this group but some will need to develop which is why our upperclassmen are so important."
Leading the way will be returning captains and all-conference selections Tiffany Harris and Nikki Ceeney. The rest of the senior class - Lindsay Riggs, Cassie Perkins and Leanne Harbach - have all been starters at various points in their careers.
"This year will be important for our team as we need to improve our play in the conference and our seniors will lead us to do that," Elliot said. "Our senior class has done a lot for our program and I expect big things from them this year led by Tiffany and Nikki."
GOALKEEPERSNo.
| Name
| Class
| Hometown
|
1
| Tiffany Harris
| Sr.
| Columbia, Mo.
|
0
| Olivia Poteete
| Jr.
| Jackson, Tenn.
|
00
| Abbey Adkins
| Fr.
| Murfreesboro, Tenn.
|
Two-time all-conference selection Tiffany Harris returns for her fourth year as the Lady Lions' starter in goal. Harris is already the program's all-time leader leader in saves with 449 in her career. In 2009, she stopped 149 shots which ranked 12th in the NAIA.
Adding depth at the position will be Olivia Poteete, who has seen limited action in goal behind Harris over the last two seasons. Also competing for time will be freshman Abbey Adkins, who helped lead her high school team to three state tournament appearances and has been very impressive during training camp.
DEFENDERSNo.
| Name
| Class
| Hometown
|
5
| Rachel Conley
| So.
| Flatwoods, Ky.
|
7
| Nikki Ceeney
| Sr.
| Cockatoo, Australia
|
12
| Chelsea Jones
| Fr.
| Oakfield, Tenn.
|
13
| Cassie Perkins
| Sr.
| Winchester, Tenn.
|
16
| Alyssa Resmini
| So.
| McKinney, Texas
|
17
| Leanne Harbach
| Sr.
| Freeport, Ill.
|
Anchoring the defense for the third straight season will be senior Nikki Ceeney, who transitioned from midfield to sweeper after her freshman season with impressive results. Last season, she was recognized as an all-conference performer after not only leading the defense but also finishing second on the team in goals with six.
The other returnees all saw significant action last season, including senior Cassie Perkins and sophomore Alyssa Resmini. Perkins started 15 matches at stopper while Resmini started 14 at right back. Senior Leanne Harbach and sophomore Rachel Conley split time at left back.
Freshman Chelsea Jones, an all-district selection at Madison Academic HS, will also look to earn time in the Lady Lions' defensive unit this fall.
MIDFIELDERS| No. | Name
| Class
| Hometown
|
| 4 | Whitney Newby
| So.
| Knoxville, Tenn.
|
6
| Clare Gallagher
| Fr.
| York City, England
|
8
| Helena Yegros
| Jr.
| Asuncion, Paraguay
|
| 9 | Briley Collins
| So.
| Goodlettsville, Tenn.
|
10
| Naomi Pugh
| Jr.
| Murfreesboro, Tenn.
|
| 11 | Lindsay Riggs
| Sr.
| Van Alstyne, Texas
|
14
| Jodi Curtis
| Fr.
| Smithville, Tenn.
|
19
| Alex Colunga
| So.
| Huntsville, Ala.
|
| 22 | Katie Hillis
| Fr.
| Collierville, Tenn.
|
A significant amount of experience returns in the midfield, led by sophomore Whitney Newby who was the team's top scorer as a freshman in 2008 despite being slowed by injuries for much of the season. Now back at full speed, she will again be counted upon to anchor the attack at center midfield.
Another key player hampered by injuries last season is junior Helena Yegros, who was second on the team in goals as a freshman. Yegros appeared in 16 matches, but her time was limited in several of those due to injury. Her striking ability will be a key component of the team's success in 2010.
Both starters at outside midfield return in sophomore Briley Collins and junior Naomi Pugh. Collins ranked second on the team in shots and is excellent at crossing the ball. Pugh showed a lot of improvement as the season progressed, scoring her first collegiate goal against nationally-ranked Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College.
Also returning in the midfield are senior Lindsay Riggs, who started every match as a sophomore, and sophomore Alex Colunga, who earned starting time late in the season as a freshman.
Elliott expects some immediate contributions from his newcomers, who include Clare Gallagher, Jodi Curtis and Katie Hillis.
FORWARDSNo.
| Name
| Class
| Hometown
|
2
| Morgan Walls
| Fr.
| Lexington, Tenn.
|
3
| Julie Bracknell
| Jr.
| Milan, Tenn.
|
18
| Shelby Murray
| So.
| Neosho, Mo.
|
Injuries were particularly hard last season up top. Julie Bracknell, one of the team's key offensive weapons in 2008, missed 10 matches due to injury while Shelby Murray spent much of the season at less than 100 percent. The duo combined for three goals last season but when they are at full speed, they are both scoring threats.
Freshman Morgan Walls will also compete for time. She scored nine goals and added six assists as a senior at Lexington HS.
SCHEDULEThe season opens with a long road trip with a total of seven matches (including two exhibitions) being played before the home opener against Lambuth (Tenn.) University on Sept. 3 as part of the annual Lions Cup Invitational. The Lions Cup begins a four-match home stand before hitting the road again for five straight. The Lady Lions then finish the season out with another four-match home stand, ending with senior night against Cumberland (Tenn.) University on Nov. 2.
Conference play kicks off on Sept. 21 as Freed-Hardeman travels to face defending conference champion Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College. The regular season wraps up with four straight home matches finishing on Nov. 2 against Cumberland (Tenn.) University.
"The team has been working hard each day to prepare for this season," Elliott said. "With our scrimmages coming up we think it will show where we are at and what we need to improve on for conference play. Our training camp is going well with the girls working hard in conditioning. Our freshman have all done well this preseason and we think they will be great additions to our program."
"If we play together than I think we can accomplish some good things this season."
