2010 Women's Soccer Season Preview

Entering his fourth year as the Trevecca women's soccer coach, Brett Armstrong is ready for his team to take another step forward as it works to move up the TranSouth conference standings. "We've built the program to the point where we've been a middle-of-the-conference team the last few years, and we're looking to take that next step forward and compete with the top teams in the conference," says Armstrong. "Our conference has a strong soccer tradition with the success of Martin Methodist, Bethel, Union, and Lyon, and we're striving to get to that level."

With several experienced players returning and a quality group of newcomers, Coach Armstrong is optimistic for continued improvement from his team. "We've got a good nucleus of players returning, a balanced team with a lot of good players," says Armstrong. "The key to the season is going to be how well they play together."

Senior captain Aubree Thomas, who had four goals and five assists last season, will be expected to lead the way for the Trojans this season, both on and off the field. "She's steady and hard-working," says Armstrong. "We count on her to win balls in the middle of the field and get us started moving forward." A pair of junior midfielders, Heather Halstead (7G, 4A) and Justine Forth (1G, 2A), will need to continue their improvement as well. "Heather is a dangerous, skilled attacking player," says Armstrong. "She needs to score goals for us to be successful. And Justine is our playmaker; she sees the field really well." One other returning player who made a nice contribution last season and will be expected to contribute even more this season is sophomore striker Kayla VanEs (6G, 3A), who is "a really good finisher," says Armstrong.

Joining the 13 returning players will be 10 newcomers to the roster. The newest Trojans are Neira Ahmespahic (Nashville, Tenn.), Joanna Aluoch (Lebanon, Tenn.), Aubrey Black (Franklin, Tenn.), Erica Carroll (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Mackenzie Cox (Hendersonville, Tenn.), Lanie Foutch (Hendersonville, Tenn.), Audra Fullen (Brentwood, Tenn.), Rachel Mayes (Nashville, Tenn.), Audrey Robinson (Atlanta, Ga.), and Lindsey Robinson (Atlanta, Ga.).

Several of those newcomers will be expected to contribute early. "We'll be counting on several freshmen who will see quite a bit of playing time," says Armstrong. A pair of freshman midfielders, Mayes and Fullen, should help with the attack. "Rachel is aggressive and fast; she comes from a strong high school program,' says Armstrong. "And Audra has good speed and could develop into a dangerous player for us." Meanwhile, a trio of defenders-Black, Carroll, and Audrey Robinson-will add some depth to the backline. Armstrong says, "Audrey has played a lot of high level club soccer; she should help solidify us in the back defensively while Erica and Aubrey give us a good physical presence in the back."

The schedule is challenging with trips to Reinhardt, Tennessee Wesleyan, and Campbellsville in September before conference play gets underway in October. The conference schedule brings last year's top two teams, Martin Methodist and Union, to Nashville, and the conference tournament takes place in early November. As the season nears, Armstrong is focused on his team's chemistry. "Our success will be determined by the extent to which we can come together and be a team," he says.