The University of Mississippi Athletics
This is the Year, This is the Team
8/26/2002 | Soccer
Aug. 26, 2002
Over the last five years, Ole Miss has been the class of the SEC Western Division. With a 17-9-1 mark against their West rivals, the Rebels have grabbed a pair of division titles and compiled the most overall and conference victories in the West. Ole Miss has made five straight SEC Tournament appearances, and fell just short of an NCAA Tournament berth each season.
Carrying the motto "This is the Year, This is the Team", Ole Miss soccer now begins a new era of success. After graduation and injuries rattled the Rebels a year ago, head coach Steve Holeman's squad has all the pieces in place for a breakthrough season. The goals are to recapture the SEC West crown and to earn a spot in The Big Dance. But the possibilities are even bigger.
"If there is a time for us to win the entire conference, this is it," said Holeman, who has headed the program since its inception in 1994. "With the SEC Tournament here in Oxford, we have the team and the talent to capture our first championship this year."
Despite coming off their sixth straight season with a .500 or better record, the Rebels were tabbed third in the SEC West in the coaches' preseason poll, picking up 48 points.
The 2001 campaign was a transitional year for the Rebels. Ole Miss graduated the most successful class in program history the previous May and lost three more players to torn ACLs during the year. Yet Ole Miss battled on, utilizing every player in uniform. The Rebels vied for the division crown until the final night of the regular season and reached the semifinals of the SEC Tournament for the second time in three years.
Lost from that team is leading scorer Tiffany Weiss, who moved to the coaching staff after medical reasons ended her playing career. The Rebels will also miss Melinda Smith, the most successful UM goalkeeper ever. Smith wrapped up her collegiate days with a team MVP season in 2001, and also remains with the club as a student assistant coach.
Ole Miss still brings back a wealth of experience on the field to mix in with a huge crop of newcomers. The Rebels return 14 letterwinners and six starters from a year ago while adding nine fresh faces to the roster.
"To take some positives from last year, a lot of players saw significant playing time," Holeman said. "Many of them are returning this year, including most of our key players. Their experience from a year ago should be invaluable to us throughout the season. "
GOALKEEPERS
Despite losing the team MVP in goal, the Rebels are surefooted at goalkeeper with junior team captain Brittany Gillespie. The Modesto, Calif., native has seven starts and four wins over the last two years, while compiling a 1.20 goals-against average in limited action.
"We are extremely confident with Brittany in goal," Holeman said. "She is fully capable of stepping in right where Melinda Smith left off after her tremendous 2001 season. Brittany got great experience last fall, and the preseason has showed she worked hard over the summer."
Junior Heather Wilemon equips Ole Miss with another experienced net minder. The fourth-year Rebel from Tupelo, Miss., has appeared in four games over her UM career.
DEFENDERS
The Rebels return the core of their defense, led by senior two-time All-SEC selection Kristin Chapman. The Vicksburg, Miss., native is one of the most decorated women's athletes at the University, nabbing numerous all-region and all-tournament accolades over the last two years. One of three team captains, Chapman could also garner time at forward, after successful stints up front during the SEC Tournament and the spring season.
"Kristin is going to be a leader for us in the back," Holeman said. "She has proven she can shut down some of the best forwards in the nation. She brings that leadership to us."
Although a rookie, Ramey Rush was one of only three players to start all 21 games a year ago. Rush was a constant at outside back and helped the Rebels set new school records for shutouts and fewest points allowed in a season.
"Ramey had a spectacular freshman campaign," Holeman said. "She did a wonderful job last year, and now has a lot more confidence. Ramey has also added an attacking dimension to her game."
After three successful seasons at forward, senior Courtney Biddle took her veteran experience to the defense this season. However, the Pittsburgh native tore her her anterior cruciate ligament during the first week of preseason. Biddle, who ranks top 10 on the UM career charts in goals, assists and total points, experienced limited cartilage damage, and with intense rehab, is hopeful to return by mid-September.
Lyndsey Willliams, a 2001 High School All-American from Germantown, Tenn., is the front runner for Biddle's spot. Fellow newcomers Megan Morton, a a freshman from Auburndale, Fla., and Caitlyn Gibson, a sophomore transfer from Tulane, will also be vying for a starting job in the defense.
MIDFIELDERS
The strength of Ole Miss is the midfield, where a Bluegrass trio dwell in the center. Kentucky natives Lindley Beckman, Kristal Menard and Amy Sample spent their prep days on the same club team, and now ignite the Rebel offense together.
Beckman was one of Ole Miss' top playmakers as a freshman last year. She started all but one game and finished third on the team in total points with 11.
"Lindley jumped right into the starting lineup last year and was simply outstanding," Holeman said. "She is a tremendous playmaker and one of the best distributors of the ball in the SEC."
Fellow sophomore Kristal Menard spent the majority of her rookie campaign at forward before moving to the midfield during the SEC Tournament, where she earned All-Tournament honors. After a successful spring, Menard has established herself as a force at central mid.
"Kristal made a phenomenal transition from forward to midfielder and from freshman to sophomore," Holeman said. "She has taken her game to the next level, and will be one of the keys to our success this year."
The Rebels' most versatile player, Sample could see field time at almost any position on the field, but is set to start as an attacking center mid. She started all but one game in 2001 and has accumulated seven goals and 18 total points in her first two seasons in the Red and Blue.
"Amy is one of the hardest workers on the team," Holeman said. "She has an unbelievable work ethic and is awesome for us on both sides of the ball. Amy has a tremendous ability to run at players and get in behind."
On the outside, Ole Miss returns a three-year starter and two-time team captain in Anna Sanders. The Fayetteville, Ark., native has been an integral part of two SEC West title squads and ranks sixth on the career assist list (15) and seventh in goals (12).
"Anna provides excellent leadership in the midfield," Holeman said. "Her experience against quality opponents pays huge dividends to our success. With her great work ethic and fitness, Anna represents exactly what we want in a player."
Sophomore Leigh Barrow and freshmen Ashley Hanne and Hillary Beckman will compete for the other starting spot outside. A native of Guntersville, Ala., Barrow saw action in 13 games last season and turned in a productive off-season.
Sophomores Karen Hall and Liz Holder give Ole Miss depth in the midfield. A starter in the final seven games of the year, Hall netted game-winning goals against Vanderbilt and TCU. Holder earned the team 2001 Most Improved Player Award.
FORWARDS
Without a returning starter, Ole Miss lacks experience but not talent in the forwards. Redshirt freshman Kelly Renie was projected to be one of UM's top newcomers a year ago before tearing her ACL in the summer. She has come all the way back with a strong spring and preseason and is ready after a season on the sidelines.
"Kelly had an awesome spring and came back even stronger in the preseason," Holeman said. "She has breakaway speed and is extremely dangerous up top."
Despite only one career goal, junior Erin Edmundson is moving from defense to offense this season. The 5-10 Raleigh, N.C. native started all but one of her first 30 games as a Rebel before tearing her ACL midway through last season.
"Erin has made a great transition," Holeman said. "She is very good up top. She is still learning her role but getting better everyday."
Two-time high school All-American Brittney Potts had an impressive preseason and has a great opportunity to start at forward. A native of Franklin, Tenn., Potts was the 2001 NSCAA H.S. Tennessee Player of the Year.
Sophomore Laura Price and freshman Shellie Harmon could also garner time at forward.
2002 NOTES
* 13 states are represented on the Rebels' 2002 roster. Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky provide the most players with four apiece.
* Ole Miss has not hosted a fall tournament since the 1999 campaign, but takes on two this year including the 2002 Southeastern Conference Championship Nov. 7-10. In addition, the Ole Miss Invitational will be Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 with Southern Miss, Marshall and Georgia State joining the Rebels in Oxford.
* Ole Miss has two sets of sisters on the squad. Sophomore Lindley Beckman is joined this year by freshman younger sister Hillary, and senior Kristin Chapman and sophomore Ramey Rush are sisters-in-law.
* Ole Miss' 2002 recruiting class was ranked third among Southeastern Conference schools, according to Soccer Buzz magazine. The Rebels' signing class was also tabbed 43rd nationally and 8th in the Central Region.
* Four Rebels earned High School Player of the Year honors in their respective states. Freshman Shellie Harmon took Gatorade honors for Louisiana in 2002 and 2001, while fellow frosh Brittney Potts was the 2001 NSCAA honoree for Tennessee. Sophomore Kristal Menard was the Gatorade POY for Kentucky in 2000, and senior Kristin Chapman won it for Mississippi in 1999 and 1998.
* The Rebels tallied an 11-2-2 record in the spring, winning 11 straight at one point. Ole Miss notched one-goal victories over Mississippi State, William & Mary and Arkansas State. Kristin Chapman started at forward and recorded a team-high 11 goals, while Kelly Renie picked up eight goals in her first competitive action with the Rebels.
