The University of Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Season Preview: Midfielders
8/9/2016 | Soccer
OXFORD, Miss. - With the start of the 2016 regular season just 10 days away, Ole Miss soccer hits the road Tuesday for its trek to Dallas to continue preseason camp.
While the Rebels prep for the upcoming campaign, OleMissSports.com will take a look at and breakdown each position group heading into the season. Tuesday's look features the midfield, where six players return from last season.
With six returning, along with a handful of newcomers, head coach Matthew Mott says this is an area where the puzzle pieces still aren't in place formation wise, but there's definitely experience and leadership there to fill the roles.
"Midfield is where we haven't quite figured out how we're going to structure it, whether we have four or five," Mott said. "It needs to be a strength for us."
CeCe Kizer, the defending SEC Freshman of the Year, is back for her second year of collegiate action looking to make an impact at midfield as well as on the attacking line.
"Obviously we return SEC Freshman of the Year CeCe Kizer, who looks fantastic and is buzzing all over," Mott said. "She's really dangerous, passing the ball really well and finishing really well. We look for her to have a great season."
Also back, looking to replace the likes of Jessica Hiskey, Olivia Harrison, Bethany Bunker and Jennifer Miller, are senior Georgia Russell, juniors Courtney Carroll and Bella Fiorenzo, redshirt sophomore Amanda Karlsson, and sophomore Marisa Kutchma.
Russell played in all but two matches in 2015 and started in eight, while Carroll saw time in 20 games. Fiorenzo made 13 appearances a year ago and Kutchma saw time in nine, while Karlsson sat out as a redshirt.
"You look at a lot of veterans when you talk about Georgia Russell, Courtney Carroll, Bella Fiorenzo and Amanda Karlsson," Mott added. "For sure midfield is our biggest position for competition right now, where we have a lot of options and some really good experience and very, very good players.
"As you look at some of the sophomores, Marisa Kutchma is back, had a great spring and carried that right into the summer with a very good summer and looks sharp, quick and is playing really well."
Also in line to compete for time are a couple of freshmen in Gabby Little and Madison Meador, who both can play multiple positions for the Rebels.
"Gabby Little is one of the freshmen that's looking to play in midfield along with (Madison) Meador," Mott said. "Gabby is a wide player and is extremely dangerous. She's going to have to help us replace Bethany Bunker. She's fast, dangerous, tough and really, really fit.
"Our midfield, for me, has the most competition. We've got to replace Jennifer Miller, (Jess) Hiskey, Olivia Harrison and Bunker, all those that played from a year ago, but we've got a number of players that are wanting to and willing to step up."
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott. Additionally fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss Athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.
