Cougars Return Veteran Group As 2015 Campaign Nears
8/12/2015 6:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
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CHARLESTON, S.C. – The 2015 College of Charleston women's soccer campaign is underway as the Cougars reported to preseason camp on Aug. 4 and began training on Aug. 5 under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Christian Michner.
“I am very excited to get preseason training started and have everyone back from the summer,” said Michner, who is assisted on the sidelines by associate head coach Tracy Chao and assistant coach Michelle Wilson. “We are returning a veteran group from last season with a lot to prove that will be intertwined with many young, talented players. We have an abundance of competition throughout every position that I believe will turn into a great strength for us as the season progresses. We can't wait to play some high-quality opponents and pack the house for our amazing fans here at Patriots Point.”
The College returns 13 players who played 450 minutes-or-more during the 2014 season, while only losing three consistent contributors. Twelve newcomers also join a very youthful roster that features 23 underclassmen.
The Cougars return seven of their Top 8 scorers from last year including sophomore forward Mary Kate Bowers (Raleigh, N.C.), senior defender Claire Newman (Greensboro, N.C.), junior midfielder Sarah Blakely (Charleston, S.C.), sophomore midfielder Tracey Webster (Kennesaw, Ga.), senior forward Nicole Koretsky (Manalapan, N.J.), sophomore midfielder Hannah Huizenga (Duluth, Ga.), sophomore defender Rio Speller-Drews (Aurora, Ontario, Canada) and junior midfielder Riley Narum (Clearwater, Fla.).
The goalkeeper position returns veteran leadership with junior Lauren Killian (Blythewood, S.C.), who played between the pipes in 18-of-19 games last season including 13 starts. Killian will receive tough competition all season long as sophomores Caty Parker (Chandler, Ariz.) and Genevieve Henderson (Jacksonville, Fla.) battle her for playing time.
The Cougars' 2015 recruiting class added 10 incoming freshmen along with two transfers that will provide extra depth and talent among all the lines.
Newcomers vying to make an impact this season include: forward/midfielder Maddy Brill-Edwards (Bryn Mawr, Pa.), defender Raymara Barreto (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.), midfielder/defender Meredith Tunney (Naperville, Ill.), forward Jessica Schifer (Aiken, S.C.), redshirt freshman midfielder Mary Rounce (Downers Grove, Ill.), midfielder/defender Sara Deutsch (Ashburn, Va.), forward Laura Ortega (Aranjuez, Spain), midfielder Paige Davis (Danbury, Conn.), sophomore midfielder/forward Katie Grunder (Bellbrook, Ohio), Stephanie Umstead (Leesburg, Va.), Ali Freitas (Rehoboth, Mass.) and Bailie Fout (Virginia Beach, Va.). Rounce and Grunder both transferred from Michigan State and Auburn respectively.
CofC will kick-off exhibition action on Thursday, Aug. 13, with a 7 p.m. (ET) match against High Point at Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Exhibitions are open and free to the public. The Cougars will open regular-season play hosting the Charleston Nike Classic with their tournament opener versus Miami (Fla.) on Friday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. (ET) at Patriots Point.
For more information on group-rate, season-ticket and single-game ticket purchases for the upcoming season, please contact the CofC Ticket Office at: (843) 953-3926.
