The University of Mississippi Athletics
Finish What We Started
8/18/2004 | Soccer
Aug. 18, 2004
It's astounding when you examine the progression of Ole Miss soccer since its first season in 1995. The program has taken steps forward each year of its existence and has prepared itself for the amazing possibilities ahead. 1995 -- Inaugural season
1997 -- First winning season
1999 -- First SEC Western Division crown
2000 -- Second straight SEC West title and first SEC Tournament final
2002 -- First NCAA Tournament berth
2003 -- First NCAA Tournament victory and first top-25 ranking
The 2003 campaign will be a tough act to follow. Ole Miss earned its second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid and notched the team's first tourney win in the opening round, shutting out Texas 1-0. The Rebels followed up that victory with a near-upset of No. 7 Florida on the Gators' homefield, falling 4-3 in double-overtime. With a 15-6-2 mark, Ole Miss recorded its most single-season victories and finished top four in the SEC overall for the second straight year. The Rebels spent five weeks in the national rankings and rose as high as No. 21. Those accomplishments are even more spectacular when factoring in that the team's top goal-scorer and best defensive player both missed virtually the entire season with injury. With those two stars returning and arguably the best senior class in school history piloting the ship, head coach Steve Holeman realizes his 2004 squad may reach even greater heights, and the goals have been set accordingly:
No. 1: SEC Western Division title
No. 2: SEC overall title
No. 3: NCAA Sweet 16
Leading the charge will be the six Rebel seniors: Leigh Barrow, Lindley Beckman, Karen Hall, Kristal Menard, Laura Price and Ramey Rush. In its three extraordinary years in Oxford, this ensemble has helped Ole Miss reach its first NCAA Tournament, earn its first Tournament win, post its highest single-season win percentage in 2002, set a season record for victories in 2003 and register its most wins ever over a three-year span. "This is the most successful senior class we've had at Ole Miss and probably the most talented," said Holeman, the only coach in the history of Rebel soccer. "They've helped carry this program to a new level, and I don't think they're satisfied. "They're hungry. They are the first class in a while to have not won an SEC West title. They want that and an SEC title. They have a lot of desire and won't be satisfied with just going to an NCAA Tournament. They want to host, and they want to make the Sweet 16. They want their careers to last as long as possible." The seniors are among 16 letterwinners back from last year's record-setting team, which ranked top two in the SEC in 11 statistical categories. Six starters return and six newcomers join the mission, as the Rebels enter the realm of national power. GOALKEEPERS In goal, Ole Miss loses one of the finest keepers in SEC history. Brittany Gillespie was a two-time team captain and the Rebels' career leader in nearly every GK category. She finished top six all-time in the conference in four different categories. Fighting to fill Gillespie's shoes are a pair of talented freshmen with solid credentials. Redshirt freshman Ann Shelton might have competed for the starting spot a year ago had she not have been recovering from shoulder surgery. As a prep senior in 2002-03, the Tullahoma, Tenn., native was her state's Gatorade Player of the Year and served in goal for the Region III ODP squad. First-year Rebel Megan Vickery also played on the Region III team in addition to being a member of the 2001 National Team Pool. She was an adidas ESP nominee and an eight-time team captain for the Solar `86 club team in her hometown of Dallas. "Ann had a great spring," Holeman said. "She trained all summer, and I think she's ready to step in and start. "Megan is extremely talented as well, and she will push Ann for a starting position. They'll both be very competitive, and we feel comfortable with either in goal." DEFENDERS The Rebel defense has shattered school records each of the last three seasons, and the 2003 team established new bests for shutouts (12), goals-against average (0.75) and fewest goals-allowed (18). Unfortunately, the one mainstay of that defense over the past three years will not be in uniform to start the season. Senior outside back Ramey Rush, who has started every match of the career, tore her ACL just prior to preseason and is expected to be out until at least mid-September. The same injury also corrupted the Rebel defense a year ago, erasing the entire campaign for 2002 Defensive MVP Lyndsey Williams. Ole Miss can now welcome the return of the redshirt sophomore who could be an All-SEC candidate at center back. "Lyndsey will be the anchor for us in the back," Holeman said. "She had a phenomenal freshman campaign, and unfortunately we lost her last year. But she came back in the spring and picked up right where she left off." At left back, the Rebels boast a consistent sophomore in Elise Karlowicz. The 5-9 Katy, Texas native was the only rookie to start all 23 matches a year ago and earned SEC All-Freshman Team accolades. With Rush sidelined, Ole Miss enjoys a few options to fill her spot on the right side of the defense. Although both were primarily outside midfielders a year ago, sophomore Ashley Ferree and senior Leigh Barrow have experience at defender and competed in that role in the spring. Ferree provided six goals, third-most on the team last year, while Barrow has 15 career starts under her belt. Freshman Cori Mehan, a high school teammate of Ferree's at Cordova, will also compete for the starting nod. Mehan was a 2003 All-State selection and a member of the Region Pool. MIDFIELDERS Ole Miss' greatest strength continues to be the central midfield and the senior Kentucky duo of Kristal Menard and Lindley Beckman. Menard is an All-America candidate and one of the best to ever wear the Red and Blue. She has twice earned All-Region first team and All-SEC first team honors, and she ranks sixth on the Ole Miss career assist list with 17. "In our mind, she is one of the best players in America," Holeman said. "She plays at another level. She is the midfield general for us. We play through Kristal in our system." The 5-10 Beckman has missed only only one start in three years and boasts nine assists and eight goals over her career. An Academic All-America first teamer, Beckman brings All-SEC potential following an excellent offseason. "I don't think Lindley gets enough credit, but she has been a starter for three years," said Holeman. "She had a incredible spring and trained hard throughout the summer, and I think she'll be improved. Lindley and Kristal together make up one of the best defensive center mid tandems in the SEC." At attacking center midfielder, the Rebels will be looking to a freshman in Chrissy Strini. The third Rebel from Cordova, Tenn., Strini was a 2003 National Camp participant and a two-time All-State pick. Senior Karen Hall has been one of the Rebels' top forwards the last two seasons, but she might also see time at attacking center mid this year. Junior Hillary Beckman is the frontrunner to man the left outside of the Ole Miss midfield. The younger sister of Lindley Beckman, Hillary started 12 matches a year ago and responded with five goals and four assists. Much like right back, right midfielder could come down to Barrow and Ferree. Talented freshman Amy Gill and experienced sophomore Ashley Hanne will also vie for playing time in the midfield, specifically outside. Sophomore Mary Robinson and freshman Morgan Reichel provide further depth at midfielder. FORWARDS For two years, the Rebels have waited for the opportunity to have forwards Kelly Renie and Brittney Potts on the field at the same time. In 2002, a left ACL tear robbed Potts of her true freshman season. In 2003, Renie was cut down by the same injury to her right leg in the second match of the year. It was deja vu for Renie, who missed her true freshman campaign in 2001 with a torn left ACL. Holeman and the Rebels are elated to finally have that potent duo healthy. Include senior Karen Hall and freshman Christine Liberto, and Ole Miss is loaded at forward. "It's a great problem to have in deciding who starts for us up top," Holeman said. "No matter what happens, there is going to be an extremely talented player coming off the bench." Renie's one healthy season in the Red and Blue was one of the finest in school history. In 2002, she scored 18 goals, including nine game-winners, and ranked 17th in the nation in goals per game (0.90). The Carmel, Ind., native piled up the accolades with SEC Freshman of the Year, Freshman All-America, All-SEC first team and All-Region second team honors. Renie expects to have three years of eligibility remaining. "Kelly is a goal-scorer," Holeman said. "She has tremendous speed, and she knows how to use it. She's dangerous and always a threat. She had another great spring, and it's awesome to have her back." Potts, a two-time prep All-American from Franklin, Tenn., was solid in her first full collegiate season, ranking third on the team in points (18) with six goals and six assists. She was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. "Brittney works extremely well with Kelly, and we've only seen glimpses of that," Holeman said. "Last year. Brittney wasn't at her best, and a year later, I think she will be. I think we'll see a new level of commitment from her." Hall quietly turned in another outstanding performance in 2003. The 5-7 Texan tied for the team-lead in goals with seven and assisted on five others. Hall, who ranks 10th on the school's career assist chart, will be a key to the Rebel offense whether as a forward or an attacking center midfielder. "Karen is probably the craftiest player on our team." Holeman said. "She has an unbelievable soccer brain. She reads the game better than most players on the team." Liberto provides Ole Miss with yet another scoring threat. The Charlotte native was an adidas All-South selection and a finalist for 2004 North Carolina Player of the Year. The versatile Liberto might also garner minutes in the midfield. The Rebels have some experienced depth up front in senior Laura Price and sophomore Sammi Gould.
