2008 WOMEN’S SOCCER PREVIEW
In 2008 the Thomas University Women’s Soccer team will look to build a tradition of success. The program will welcome in 10 new players that will be essential to the programs success this year. Of the 10 new players the team is looking for immediate impacts from Freshman Goalkeeper Heather Collins from Palm Bay, FL., forward Madlen Schwausch from Spremberg, Germany and midfielder Casey Ponder from Cairo, GA. Adding some experience to these new faces are Junior transfers Jessica Owens from Middle Georgia College and Tiffany Parker from Tallahassee Community College. The women’s side returns 8 players and all 8 were starters last season. Senior co-Captains Naama Wolf and Mandy Ballinger will look to lead the team and build upon an 07 season that saw improvement and took steps forward. To do so the women will have to work their way through a difficult schedule, which sees’ them host NCAA DII nationally recognized University of West Florida, preseason #20 St. Leo University, Florida Southern, Rollins College and preseason NAIA #11 Savannah College of Arts and Design. Now away from the friendly confines of Thomasville, GA. the women will have to travel to Warner Southern College, Georgia Southwestern University, St. Thomas University, Nova Southeastern, and preseason NAIA # 15 William Carey College.
Fourth year Head Coach Ricky Zambrano and his staff are excited about the upcoming 2008 season and are hoping to lay down the foundation for seasons to come. The 2007 season was one that saw the women finish 4-12-1 and really struggle through some key injuries. The season was highlighted by key home wins over Brewton Parker, with a goal scored in the last minute of regular time and an overtime win over St. Thomas University. This season the women open away at Lake Wales, FL. as they will take on Warner Southern College. Then they will host six straight, four of those six being against NCAA Division II teams.
Wolf will once again look to anchor a backline that returns three starters. Team Defensive MVP senior Paya George and sophomore Amber Belflower will be looking to build upon successful seasons in the back. In the midfield, sophomore Eli Nevarez returns to man the outside flank while Ballinger and sophomore Emily Delozier look to sure up the middle of the park. The Lady Night Hawks are hoping that talented midfielder Alexandra Mangnas has a successful return from knee surgery to provide additional support in the midfield. Last years team scoring and points leader, with 7 goals and 16 points Aida Vojnikovic will look to bring that spark to the Lady Night Hawks offense.
The program will look to claim a spot in the NAIA Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) and qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2004. Like last year the Lady Night Hawks will face a challenging schedule and will have to gel quickly if they look to have success early. Their first game of the season will take them on the road as they look to avenge a loss last year at the hands of Warner Southern College on Wednesday August 27th at 1pm. They then will head back home for their home opener against nationally recognized University of West Florida at 2pm at the Wendy’s Soccer Complex on August 31st.