The University of Mississippi Athletics
Wins Over MSU, Alumni Cap Unbeaten Spring Season
4/18/2009 | Soccer
The Rebels finished the spring with a 6-0-2 record, out-scoring their opponents 16-3. Steve Holeman’s team faced four squads that reached last year’s NCAA Tournament, earning 0-0 ties against
“This was a great spring for us,” said Holeman, who enters his 15th season as the only head soccer coach in school history. “It was really important for our younger players to get a lot of experience. We started six freshmen throughout the spring. They got lots of minutes, and that will pay big dividends for the fall. We went undefeated against some quality opponents. We scheduled a very challenging group of programs, and I couldn’t be happier for our players. It’s good for our confidence and good momentum heading into the summer. The most important thing is that we use this spring as a tool to get us started in the fall with some positive results.”
As usual, the current Rebels defeated the alumni in their annual matchup, but it was no easy task this go-round. The alumni team featured 23 total players, including eight former All-SEC greats. Former All-American Chrissy Strini (class of 2007) headlined the group of all-league players that included Amy Bayles (class of 2008), Christine Breaux (2008), Jennifer Hance (2008), Kelly Renie (2006), Lyndsey Williams (2008), Kristal Menard (2004) and Jen Soileau (2000). Other alums in attendance were Austin Brown (2008), Stacey Emmonds (2008), Amanda Verkin (2008), Megan Vickery (2008), Amy Gill (2007), Christine Liberto (2007), Cori Mehan (2007), Morgan Reichel (2007), Ashley Ferree (2006), Hillary Beckman (2005), Leigh Barrow (2004), Karen Hall (2004), Laura Price (2004), Mary Robinson (2004) and Brooke Riley (1999).
“I think it really says a lot about our program that we get this kind of turnout for an alumni game,” Holeman said. “It’s great to see all the former players back in
Hannah Weatherly led the way for the 12-member current Rebel side in the 3-0 win, scoring two goals and getting an assist on the game’s first goal by Kelsey Breathitt. Weatherly took over the team lead in spring goals with five, topping Breathitt’s four.
The alumni mounted a few attacks, but could never get all the way through the stout defense of the current Rebel back line. Freshman goalkeeper Alley Ronaldi pitched a complete-game shutout to record the team’s fifth shutout of the spring.
On Thursday, Ole Miss traveled south on I-55 to face
After a scoreless first half, Weatherly tallied the game’s first goal on a penalty kick after an Ole Miss player was fouled in the box. Cunningham put the Rebels up 2-0 when she fired in one of her patented 30-yard strikes above the reach of the Bulldog keeper. Weatherly was at it again late in the match when she took a cross from Cunningham and slotted it inside the back post from about six yards.
With the victory, Ole Miss retained the Magnolia Cup, which has gone to the winner of any spring or fall matchup between the teams since 2003. Ole Miss has now won five straight meetings in the series by a total margin of 15-1.
Rising senior defender Danielle Johnson, a three-time All-SEC selection, leads a young but talented group of players into the 2009 fall season. The squad, which also includes rising seniors Mallory Coleman and Weatherly, will be bolstered by an incoming freshman class of 11 signees.
