Expectations are running high for the 2009 Salkehatchie Indians women’s soccer team. Second year Head Soccer Coach Bill Glass has been out on the recruiting trail ever since the end of last season. Glass feels that all the work on recruiting will pay off this fall. “I expect that the women’s soccer program will take a significant step forward this year,” said Glass.
The 2009 team will feature several international players, some out-of-state American talent and a strong contingent of South Carolinians.
Goal keeping duties will be handled by sophomore Maggie Moore of Gadsden, South Carolina and freshman Zaph Papanikitas who hails from West Richmond in Adelaide, Australia.
Key defensive players will include freshman Amanda Diaz of Beaufort, freshman Nicole Fluker of Waycross, GA, freshman Desiree Rosario of Hortense, GA, freshman Myranda Smith of Hampton and sophomore Elisa Routt of Warner Robins, GA. Routt was the Indians MVP in 2008. “One thing our defenders have in common is that they can all play multiple positions and be effective,” according to Glass, “for example Routt, Fluker and Diaz can all play up top, Smith is a strong defensive midfielder and Rosario is an accomplished goalkeeper.”
In the midfield the team will be able to call on a quartet of freshmen consisting of Nicole Evans of Walterboro, Shannon Shaeffer of Hampton, Dehkontee Sayon of Monrovia, Liberia and Amanda Floresca of Walterboro. Two sophomore midfielders Lindsay Jones of Hampton, SC and Lauren Pierson of Hampton, SC will bring experience to the center of the formation. “I am excited about the potential for a lot of attacking firepower coming out of the midfield,” according to Glass.
The team will also be able to call on several out-and-out strikers to get the ball into the opponents net including freshman Tearra Green of Hampton SC, Ashur Amai who comes from Dalby Australia, Soledad Bucaram of Guayaquil, Ecuador, sophomore Victoria Ballard of Allendale and sophomore Mary Aldrich who is also from Allendale.
Glass feels that the home grown players will form the backbone of the team. “Our South Carolina girls know each other and many have been playing here in the low country either on the same team or against each other for years,” said Glass, “this shared experience will be a big advantage for us starting out.” The team will also benefit from the players who are coming over from nearby Georgia. “The Georgia players always come in with tremendous energy and enthusiasm,” according to Glass, “they exemplify the competitive spirit.” Glass is also pleased that the Salk soccer program will be hosting several internationals. “I am not looking for the internationals to come in here and be superstars just because they are from overseas, we are just looking for the international students to come in and contribute their best to the team just like any of our South Carolina or Georgia players.” Of course the American players are excited about having the opportunity to get to know students from foreign lands and play soccer with them.
Training camp for the Indians opens up August 3 and the first exhibition match takes place on August 18 against Brewton-Parker College at 5 pm in Mount Vernon, GA. The first home match will be against Cape Fear Community College on September 1 at 4 pm. The team’s schedule is posted on the USC Salkehatchie athletics website. It is always a good idea for Salk supporters to check the schedule on the website (www.uscsalkathletics.com) for last minute changes before heading out to a match.
The 2009 team will feature several international players, some out-of-state American talent and a strong contingent of South Carolinians.
Goal keeping duties will be handled by sophomore Maggie Moore of Gadsden, South Carolina and freshman Zaph Papanikitas who hails from West Richmond in Adelaide, Australia.
Key defensive players will include freshman Amanda Diaz of Beaufort, freshman Nicole Fluker of Waycross, GA, freshman Desiree Rosario of Hortense, GA, freshman Myranda Smith of Hampton and sophomore Elisa Routt of Warner Robins, GA. Routt was the Indians MVP in 2008. “One thing our defenders have in common is that they can all play multiple positions and be effective,” according to Glass, “for example Routt, Fluker and Diaz can all play up top, Smith is a strong defensive midfielder and Rosario is an accomplished goalkeeper.”
In the midfield the team will be able to call on a quartet of freshmen consisting of Nicole Evans of Walterboro, Shannon Shaeffer of Hampton, Dehkontee Sayon of Monrovia, Liberia and Amanda Floresca of Walterboro. Two sophomore midfielders Lindsay Jones of Hampton, SC and Lauren Pierson of Hampton, SC will bring experience to the center of the formation. “I am excited about the potential for a lot of attacking firepower coming out of the midfield,” according to Glass.
The team will also be able to call on several out-and-out strikers to get the ball into the opponents net including freshman Tearra Green of Hampton SC, Ashur Amai who comes from Dalby Australia, Soledad Bucaram of Guayaquil, Ecuador, sophomore Victoria Ballard of Allendale and sophomore Mary Aldrich who is also from Allendale.
Glass feels that the home grown players will form the backbone of the team. “Our South Carolina girls know each other and many have been playing here in the low country either on the same team or against each other for years,” said Glass, “this shared experience will be a big advantage for us starting out.” The team will also benefit from the players who are coming over from nearby Georgia. “The Georgia players always come in with tremendous energy and enthusiasm,” according to Glass, “they exemplify the competitive spirit.” Glass is also pleased that the Salk soccer program will be hosting several internationals. “I am not looking for the internationals to come in here and be superstars just because they are from overseas, we are just looking for the international students to come in and contribute their best to the team just like any of our South Carolina or Georgia players.” Of course the American players are excited about having the opportunity to get to know students from foreign lands and play soccer with them.
Training camp for the Indians opens up August 3 and the first exhibition match takes place on August 18 against Brewton-Parker College at 5 pm in Mount Vernon, GA. The first home match will be against Cape Fear Community College on September 1 at 4 pm. The team’s schedule is posted on the USC Salkehatchie athletics website. It is always a good idea for Salk supporters to check the schedule on the website (www.uscsalkathletics.com) for last minute changes before heading out to a match.
