The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Enjoy Photo Shoot Break From Preseason Camp
8/5/2011 | Soccer
Aug. 5, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss soccer players and staff enjoyed a brief reprieve from the August heat and hard work of preseason camp for the team photo shoot on Friday.
Head coach Matthew Mott said the team's first four days of preseason have been productive and that the 12 returning players and 11 newcomers are meshing together well.
"The girls came back in good shape," said the second-year Rebel coach. "They're working very hard. Everybody's in good spirits, and the intensity level at practice has been good. We've got a long way to go, but every day we're getting a little better."
Mott's group is practicing twice a day this week before taking Saturday off. They will continue to train twice daily next week until Wednesday, when they will practice just once per day leading up to Friday's exhibition game vs. Tennessee-Martin (7 p.m. at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium).
Ole Miss returns several starters and a six-member senior class with plenty of minutes under their belt. Abbie Curran, Dylan Jordan, Kendyl Mygatt, Alley Ronaldi, Meredith Snow and Jenna Strother have all served as full-time starters during their career with the Red and Blue.
"We have a strong senior class," Mott said. "They've done a really good job of helping to integrate the new players into the system. The underclassmen understand the importance of team and making sure everybody's on the same page and working hard."
Mott also commented on the strong preseason by junior Alix Hildal and a pair of Rebel sophomores.
"Alix Hildal looks really sharp," he said. "Erin Emerson and Mandy McCalla have come back and are playing really well."
There is also a competitive battle for the starting goalkeeper spot between Ronaldi and freshman Kelly McCormick.
One of the more anticipated debuts in Ole Miss soccer history will happen soon when Brazilian Rafaelle Souza steps onto the Oxford pitch for the first time. The Brazilian youth national team member will compete for the Rebels as a sophomore this year. She is one of three college transfers joining the team, including Emily Reid (Oklahoma) and Emily Sinovich (UAB).
"Rafa has come in and played quite well," Mott said. "Really all three transfers have come in and raised the level of our team."
The Rebels will open the regular season at home on Friday, Aug. 19 hosting Southern Miss at 7 p.m. All Ole Miss soccer home games are free.
Ole Miss fans have a chance to meet the 2011 soccer players and coaches and receive autographs, posters and schedule cards at the annual "Meet the Rebels" event Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Indoor Practice Facility on campus. Check back on OleMissSports.com for times and additional information.
