Click HERE to watch the 2015 seniors and team captains preview the season.
CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State women's soccer team is ready to embark on its second season under the tutelage of Head Coach Heather Cato.
"We are eager about getting this season started," Cato said. "We had a great week of camp with regards to competitiveness and work rate. Our players are growing more and more as a team on a daily basis, which is what we want as we play through our schedule and begin conference play."
The Hillcats return 12 players from the 2014 squad that finished the year by winning three of their final four matches and are hoping to carry that momentum into the fresh season. They will be joined by 12 new faces on campus to provide the depth necessary to compete against a demanding schedule in year three as a member of the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference.
"We have several quality new players that will be a great addition to our strong core of returners," Cato mentioned. "The return of two solid senior center backs in
Haley Wenlock and
Taylor James as well as outside back
Lexi Ellingsen will only be enhanced by transfer
Korie Martin and freshmen
Addy Pritchard and
Kimberlin Bennett. We like the flexibility that all of these players give us to change and manipulate our defensive scheme this season."
The center of the field will be anchored by two players that have spent their entire careers in the navy and red as
Jianna Cervantes and
Taylor Geissler are back for their senior campaigns. The duo has a chance to guide the Hillcats back to their winning ways.
"As senior leaders, Jianna and Taylor will help lead the new talented transfers
Katlin Moran and
Samantha Snow, as well as freshman
Taylor Williams," Cato added. "Adding to our midfield depth are juniors
Courtney Tucker and
Taylor Neubecker along with sophomores
Breanna Ray,
LeighAnn Craig, and
Ashley Pruitt."
RSU will need to replace the a bulk of its offensive production as leading scorer
Blair Thomas is gone to graduation after posting a team-high eight goals and earning third-team all-conference honors in 2014.
"Our midfield will have a generous combination of technical ability, creativity, and speed," Cato said. "However, the midfield isn't the only place we added those qualities to our team. We look to blend the vision and tenacity of
Paige Pontarolo with the dynamics of newcomers
Marlaina Trahant,
Randye Sharp, and
Savannah Owens to generate the offense."
Without a player on the roster with collegiate experience in goal, the biggest question mark entering 2015 is who is going to take the bulk of minutes between the pipes for the Hillcats.
"The goalkeepers for us this season are young, but malleable. Right now we have a constant battle between
Amanda Morgan and
Tayler Stover at practice and we are excited to see which one steps up to take over the starting role," Cato stated.
The Hillcats open the season Friday on the road at Ouachita Baptist against the defending Great American Conference champion Tigers. The match is set for a 4 p.m. start at Wesley and Debbie Kluck Field. After three road games to start the year, RSU's home opener is slated for Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. as Oklahoma Wesleyan comes to Soldier Field.
"Overall, we are excited about the upcoming schedule and future of the program. Regardless of the outcome, our games will be fun to watch and something we as coaches are excited to be a part of," Cato concluded.
