2009 Meredith College Soccer Season Preview

The Meredith Avenging Angels soccer team starts the 2009 season with high goals and the highest expectations in school history. The team was voted USA South Athletic Conference preseason #1 and is preparing for the challenge of defending their 2008 Conference Tournament Championship. The team is dedicated to a hard work ethic necessary to propel the Avenging Angels back into post season NCAA tournament play. The Avenging Angels have been selected for post season play the past four years and NCAA play two of the past three seasons. The 2009 season begins on Sept 1st with the ceremonial grand opening to unveil the new track and turf field complex.

This year’s team will need great leadership and performances from their three senior captains: All South/USA South All Conference forward Maggie Hart, senior forward 2008 USA South All Tournament and All Conference Kristy Knight and senior midfielder Maggie Barilich. Hart and Knight have been part of a prolific scoring attack the past three seasons. Along with junior All-South/All USA South Conference midfielder Alex Calvert and junior midfielder Emmy Errante; the Meredith team has ranked in the Top 20 for goals scored in NCAA statistics. 2008 USA South Tournament Most Valuable Player Calvert, Knight and Maggie Hart have been on the top ten scoring leader list each season. Other attacking options will include sophomore letter winner Ayla Koc and freshman forward Hannah Garrison.

The midfield proved to be a strength of the 2008 team. This key area should again be a strong suit for the Avenging Angels. Returning USA South All-Tournament midfielder Kristin Braxton, senior Maggie Barilich, junior Emmy Errante, junior Kelsey Hukee and sophomore Jessie Breazeale bring important big game experience to the team. Flankers sophomore Sarah Murray, sophomore Ashton Herbert, sophomore Hannah Worley along with freshman Kimberly Williams provide energy and speed on the outsides.

The defensive unit for the 2009 season will see many new faces and a change in style of play. Freshmen and sophomore players will take over the important role of defending the nets in 2009. Returning letter winners junior Shea Tharington and sophomore Renada Vuono are joined by newcomers freshman Carrie Talbert, freshman Charlotte Talbert, freshman Annah Kane, freshman Leeann Sullivan, and freshman Caitlyn Jarvis to rebuild another outstanding defense that can shutout any opponent. The goalkeeping duties will fall upon 2008 USA South All-Tournament Team junior Sarah Chadwick. She will be bolstered by competition from freshman Chloe Cook.