The University of Mississippi Athletics
Season Preview: Veteran Back Line to Support New Keeper
8/19/2015 | Soccer
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss soccer team takes the field Friday night against Florida Gulf Coast to kick off the 2015 season. As one of the most experienced teams in the country, the Rebels will step out onto the pitch at 6 p.m CT at the FGCU Soccer Complex.
A central theme around the Rebels' 2015 season has undoubtedly been the number of veteran players. A total of 19 letterwinners are back for another year, including 10 starters. However, the Rebel defense will be looking to fill a key spot: goalkeeper.
Ole Miss lost a lone senior on defense in goalkeeper Kelly McCormick. McCormick finished her stellar career as the all-time leader in multiple categories in goal, including the leading spot in career goalkeeper wins (42). The Rebels will look to fill the void as redshirt freshmen Marnie Merritt and sophomore Madi Killeen vie for the starting position. Both of these Rebels show promising qualities and a bright future as their careers begin to takeoff.
Despite the loss of McCormick, the defense that helped produce five clean sheets is back and tougher than ever. Seniors Maddie Friedmann, Jessica Hiskey and Samantha Sanders return for their fourth season. More veteran players return in juniors Georgia Russell and Melissa Capoccacia. The Rebels also add the freshmen Susie Dineen, who helped lead Marian High School to a pair of state championships and is sure to assist to the defensive side of the attack.
Head Coach Matthew Mott also noted the high level physical fitness level of the team.
"The girls worked extremely hard this summer because they have returned in great shape," said Mott.
The combination of experience, determination and superior level of fitness will took lead the Rebels to another season of success in turning away opposing teams' offenses. Ole Miss limited Central Arkansas to only two shots in last Friday's exhibition contest, with both occurring in the final five minutes.
"After the first exhibition match, I saw a difference in our toughness when we go in for tackles. Communicating in the back has been a lot better as well," said Sanders. "Our team has taken on the toughness role and we want to get into tackles and be good defensively, so I think that is a huge improvement from last year."
The Rebels' theme of being "tougher than the rest" has certainly taken hold of the entire team. The players work to become better, and tougher, than the day before. The defense is ready to play this season and looks to be a prime factor in more wins to the Ole Miss soccer program.
