The University of Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Season Preview: Defenders
8/9/2017 | Soccer
2017 Schedule | 2017 Roster
OXFORD, Miss. - Now a week into preseason training, Ole Miss soccer hit the road Wednesday morning southbound, where they will finish out the week of practice and competition in Mobile, Alabama.
While the Rebels make their way to the coast, OleMissSports.com continues its position preview with a look at the defenders. Ole Miss returns veteran senior Liza Harbin, who will anchor the back line, along with a solid trio of experienced returners in Grace Waugh, Maddi Falter and Shannon Maitland.
The Rebels also welcome a talented core of newcomers in sisters Ella and Grace Johnson, along with Chanel Thomas, Sophie Dineen and Madison Smith.
"We've got the Johnson sisters - Ella and Grace - they've both come in and really established themselves on the back line playing at a very high level," head coach Matthew Mott said. "Grace is a really smooth player, good with the ball and makes really good decisions. She understands the game very well and gets herself in the best spots to defend. Ella is much more of a bruiser, powerful and great in the air. Both of them have come in and look great."
Harbin, the lone senior defender, found the net twice in 2016, and has been a mainstay for Ole Miss after starting in nearly every match to this point in her career.
"Liza Harbin is back for her senior year and she's the anchor back there," Mott said. "I can rely on her and I trust her, and she knows exactly how we want to play. We're excited for Liza to lead us back there from a back line perspective."
Waugh is one of two sophomores who, last season saw extensive playing time for the defense. The Plano, Texas native started the final 12 contests of 2016 and helped record four shutouts on the year.
"Grace Waugh is one of our most versatile, but most consistent players," Mott added. "She can play outside back, outside mid or holding mid. The best thing about her is she has such a good skill set. She looks great, is clean and sharp and is playing at a very good level."
Falter returns with experience after playing in every match in 2016, one of only two freshmen to do so. She had one assist and scored her first collegiate goal at Alabama, which went down as the game winner in Tuscaloosa.
"Maddi Falter has moved back to a right mid or right defender and she looks great," Mott said. "She's back strong, so fast and powerful, and strikes the ball well."
Maitland, a native of Belleville, Illinois, is also back for year two in the program after playing in one game in 2016.
"Shannon Maitland is coming off surgery this summer and getting herself played back in, and we're excited to have her back," Mott said.
Thomas, Dineen and Smith, all freshmen, look to contribute as well on the back line.
"Chanel Thomas has been as advertised moving really well," Mott added. "She's an excellent right-sided player who is going to factor in for us for sure. Sophie Dineen is a left-footed left back who's powerful, strong and fast, and likes to get forward. She heads the ball well and is the prototypical, powerful defender that you look for out of the left side. Madison Smith, another national champion with her club team, is a centerback who's strong and powerful, and strikes the ball a long way."
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.
