August 13, 2012

Lady Tiger soccer team looks to bounce back in 2012

After improving its win total in the first three years of the program, the Cowley College women’s soccer team took a bit of a step back last season. However, with a solid recruiting class ready to take the field, the Lady Tigers are eager to put last season behind them.

Head coach Dane Straight has been busy in the off-season and has added 15 new players to the squad.

“The girls are excited about coming here and being a part of the Cowley family,” Straight said. “We have brought in some talented, hard working young ladies that I think we can mold into a good team.”

Having finished with a record of 11-7 during the 2010 season, Straight was disappointed to see his team come away with a record of 7-10-1 last season. However, he thinks this year’s team is ready to get back near the top of the conference standings.

Helping matters is the fact Cowley has some solid players returning to build around. Midfielder Ludmila Duarte Elias is the team’s top-returning scorer as she finished last season with 15 points on three goals and nine assists.

“Ludmila is a talented player that will finish a lot more opportunities and be a standout for us,” Straight said.

Sophomore forward Sammy Miller is the team’s top-returning goal scorer (five goals), while Rosana Macias started all 18 games as a freshman midfielder and registered three goals and two assists.

“Sammy and Rose (Macias) contribute a lot to the team both on and off the field,” Straight said.

Also returning are sophomore midfielder Talia McNickle and defender Sierra Palacio-Oliver.

“The sophomores learned the dedication it takes and will benefit from their year of experience,” Straight said. “They have a lot of insight to offer the freshmen.”

Among the many talented freshmen are All-State performers Morgan Steltzlen, who played for the Tulsa Soccer Club Hurricane, and Siara Price, one of the top goal scorers in the state of Oklahoma during her high school career.

Another All-State selection, Julie Guzman, is a technically gifted passer from Choctaw, OK. Guzman signed with Cowley in early July and will be a welcome addition to the squad.

“Julie will be a huge help in the center midfield,” Straight said.

Kierstyn Legg, a freshman midfielder/defender from Broken Arrow, OK played for the Westside Alliance Club team and will be expected to make an immediate contribution to the squad. While, Landre Oglesby (Edmond, OK) and Kelsey Coleman (Bethany, OK) round out the six incoming freshmen from Oklahoma.

Cassaundra Farrell played for the Missouri Elite Soccer Club and will be looked upon to help provide offense to the team, while Lauren Sanders, a midfielder/defender, was a part of Bishop Carroll High School’s soccer team, which finished in the top-three of the state tournament each of the last two years.

Katelynn Allen is a talented defender from Wichita that will use her athleticism to see immediate playing time. Victoria LaForce is a physical midfielder/defender that played for the Evolution Football Club out of Wichita, while fellow Wichita area athletes Brittney Pratt and Rachael Schoonover will add depth to the squad.

Kristin Siewert, a defender from Colwich, and Miesha Piggee, a forward from Kansas City, KS, will also be in the hunt for playing time.

“The key will be giving our best effort the entire time, they have got to have the desire to win,” Straight said.

Cowley will open the season with five straight road contests and will play nine of their 15 regular season games away from home.

“It will be a challenging schedule but I believe we will be right back in the top half of the conference standings,” Straight said.

With several of the freshmen having played for Club soccer teams as well as successful high school programs, Straight is eager to see his 2012 squad take a step forward in year five of the program.

“I expect this to be a good, hard working crew that will put the team first,” Straight said. “I am excited to see what they can do.”