2012 'Roo Women's Soccer Season Preview

After posting an incredible 14 consecutive winning seasons, the Austin College women's soccer team saw that streak come to an end last year as the 'Roos finished 7-8-1 overall and 4-4-1 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. This season coach Paul Burns and his team will be looking to get back to their winning ways in a SCAC that received a major overhaul this past year. 

Existing SCAC members Trinity, Southwestern and the University of Dallas along with new conference member Centenary College make up the new look of the conference this season, and for the first time all teams will automatically earn a berth in the SCAC Tournament. Burns will be leaning on several strong and experienced upperclassmen, along with a talented sophomore class to step up and give the 'Roos a chance to bring home the conference crown. 

The team will be led by seniors Ariel Marder, Kelsey D'Amore and Natalie Nelms, who return after strong seasons a year ago. D'Amore and Nelms have both been All-SCAC selections in their time at Austin College, and Marder is expected to help shoulder the scoring load for the 'Roos. Despite playing sweeper, D'Amore scored two goals and tallied a team-best five assists in 2011, while Nelms scored three times and added an assist. Marder added a goal and three assists in her first season with the team. 

Coach Burns also expects big things from juniors Lauren Scott and Maddy Millender this season, as Scott will be looked to for some scoring punch at the forward position while Millender will help control the midfield. Scott scored three goals last season and Millender added a goal and two assists primarily coming off the bench. Senior Ali Fidel also returns as a potential offensive spark after scoring one goal last season. 

The sophomore class is also expected to make a big impact this season, led by midfielders Sydney Redding and Tyler Marquez as well as defender Lexi Levy, who started 11 games last season. Marquez proved to be a capable playmaker a year ago, scoring once and adding an assist, and Redding had an assist last season and recently scored the team's one goal in their summer training trip to England. 

A battle for playing time in the goal is expected as the team heads into call camp, as junior Emily Brockette returns after missing all of last year with an injury, and she will be pushed by freshman Franchesca Lozoya. Both keepers are expected to get playing time this season. 

Lozoya is one of four talented freshman who join the team this year in a class that includes Ashley Webb, Hannah Poenisch and Cami Mavelian, the sister of recently graduated forward Gabby Mavelian. Poenisch and Mavelian will be battling for playing time in the midfield, while Webb is expected to challenge for a starting role on defense. 

With an automatic shot at a SCAC championship up for grabs and led by an outstanding group of returning players, the 'Roos look to be in good shape to begin a new streak of winning seasons in 2012.