2009 Women's Soccer

If Freed-Hardeman University soccer coach Jason Elliott had to describe the 2007 season in a nutshell, it would be "missed opportunities."  

"We dropped some games that we should have won and did not play well in several key conference games," he said of a season that ended with a 4-12 record.  As the 2008 season begins, Elliott hopes the roles are changed and the Lady Lions will learn from last year.  

"With four wins last year," he said, "our girls should be hungry to play well."

Elliott has added several newcomers to this year's squad to help strengthen the lineup and compete at a higher level.  Some of these newcomers include Julie Bracknell, a forward from Milan, Tenn.; Helena Yegros, a forward from Asuncion, Paraguay; and Elizabeth Blanton, a defender from Sellersburg, Ind.

The team will be led into the new season by returning players such as Stephanie Fields, a senior forward from Benton, Ky.; and Tiffany Harris, a sophomore goalkeeper from Columbia, Mo.

"Our returning players and particularly the seniors are key to our success this year," said Elliott. "We have five seniors and will only go as far as they lead us."

The season kicks off at Tennessee Temple University on Aug. 21.  The Lady Lions will then travel to Kentucky to play three games in four days and finally return to Henderson for the home opener on Sept. 5 when they host Harris-Stowe (Mo.) State College at 6:00 PM.

Conference play begins on Sept. 16 against Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College. FHU will host Cumberland (Tenn.) University on Oct. 2 in the team's first home conference game.  The regular season ends on Oct. 28 when the Lady Lions host Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University for senior night.

"Our girls are going to work hard and represent FHU with class on and off the field," Elliott said. "We are expecting an exciting year for our 2008 squad.  This senior class is a special group and we are hoping for a great season for them to go out with."