Staff News
September 6, 2007
2007
UTSA Soccer Season Outlook
With one season under
its belt, the 2007 UTSA women’s soccer team looks to again compete for the
conference championship and NCAA College Cup. Head coach Steve Ballard
begins his second season at the helm with a more experienced and mature
team.
“We have a strong nucleus returning this season and they will carry this
team,” Ballard said. “I know our returnees will set the tone for the
newcomers and make them feel welcome.”
In 2006, Ballard guided the Roadrunners to an 8-9-2 overall record and
finished second in the SLC standings with a 5-1-2 mark. This year’s squad
features 18 returning letter winners, including nine starters. UTSA also
welcomes eight newcomers to the team.
Goalies
The goalie position features three outstanding players led by returning
starter junior Rachel Francis. Also coming back is sophomore Kasi Hebert,
while freshman Allison McCabe enters her first season. Francis started all
19 matches and tallied 108 saves, while allowing just 30 goals. She also
recorded five shutouts and posted the second-best save percentage in the
conference (.783). Hebert saw action in three games last season and
collected two saves and combined with Francis for two shutouts. Meanwhile,
McCabe hails from Arlington were she played at Nolan Catholic HS. McCabe
posted 13 shutouts and 102 saves as a senior in 2007.
“All three keepers can
play and we feel fortunate in this position.” Ballard said.
Defenders
UTSA’s strength on the field is defense. Returning is a quartet that helped
post five shutouts in 2006. Leading the way are sophomores Celeste Carruth,
Halee Hamm, Kylee Hix and Chea Pajak. Those four players look to anchor this
year’s defense.
Hamm
netted one goal last season. Carruth tallied five assists, which ranked
second on the team. Sophomores Erin Ussey, Kim Selman and Carly Chudej also
will see action and newcomers Laura Barker and Jenna Pawelek will compete
for playing time.
“Our backs are set with
our returning players that finished the year,” Ballard said. “With the
newcomers our defense will be more solid.”
Midfielders
UTSA is stacked at midfield with three returning starters, including
sophomore Chelsea Zimmerman,who was the 2006 Southland Conference Freshman
of the Year and a first-team honoree. Zimmerman led UTSA in goals (9) and
points (24). Also returning for the Roadrunners are sophomores Kim Gonzales
and Kari Weiland. Gonzales started 12 matches for the Roadrunners and
recorded one goal and two assists, while Weiland led UTSA with seven assists
and garnered all-conference honorable mention accolades. Competing for the
fourth spot are junior Dinky Lopez and freshmen Laurel Dierking, Alli
Dillon, Kat Morel and Lauren Schultz.
“Chelsea is the leader of this group,” Ballard said. “She controls the speed
of the game for us and can also score from this position, which provides us
with an extra striker on offense.
“Kari is another player who can duplicate Chelsea on the field,” Ballard
said. “She is good at moving with the ball and distributes it well enough to
give us a chance to put it in the net.”
The Schedule
Ballard again has set up a tough non-conference schedule featuring three
teams that advanced to the 2006 NCAA College Cup (McNeese State, Texas and
SMU). The Roadrunners will face three teams from the Big 12 Conference in
Baylor, Texas and Texas Tech. UTSA opens its season on the road at SMU on
Aug. 31, then returns for its home opener against Baylor on Sept. 4. The
Roadrunners will be tested when they hit the road for a four-game swing
beginning at Texas Southern (Sept. 7) and Texas Tech (Sept. 9). That stretch
concludes at TCU (Sept. 11) and Texas (Sept. 14). UTSA returns to San
Antonio for a pair of games against Delaware on Sept. 21 and Iona on Sept.
23. The Roadrunners begin SLC action on the road at Nicholls State on Oct. 5
and at Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 7. UTSA returns home to host Stephen
F. Austin on Oct. 12 and Sam Houston State on Oct. 14.
The team then travels
to San Marcos to face I-35 rival Texas State on Oct. 21 and heads to Central
Arkansas five days later. The Roadrunners conclude their regular season with
two home games against new conference member Lamar and McNeese State.
“My philosophy is to play a tough schedule to improve our play and be
competitive,” Ballard said. “This year’s schedule is as tough as last
season. Playing against teams that compete hard every game will get us
prepared for conference."
Courtesy: UTSA Athletics
Release: 08/24/2007
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