Photo by Salomon Pineda Soccer Team: Front Row: Gena Rouse, Tricky Tarole, Sue Fecteau, Ashley Hodge, Sheilah Dunham, Michal Edwards, Candace O'Neal, Melissa Toungette, Aimee Wilson, Heather Shipman. Back Row: Coach Terry Edwards, Rachel Haslam, Rachel Chitwood, Amy Walker, Amber Singleton, Justine Cokley, JodiBesenyei, RachelBelcher, Courtney Pierron, Andrea "Tree " Richmond, Sarah Randolph, Heather Gray, Assistant Coaches Steve Young and Ryan Singleton. First soccer team exceeds expectations The Lady Bison soccer team finished its first year in the Lone Star Conference (LSC), impressing the veteran teams with skill and speed nearly unheard of in a team's rookie year. Coach Terry Edwards said he was very pleased with the firstyear program. "I feel good about it for two reasons," Edwards said. "Two ofthe conference gameswent into overtime, and we found it easier to compete with the teams from states south and east of us. " While the team struggled with teams from Texas and Oklahoma, finishing the season with a 6-9-1 record, Edwards said he expected the western teams to be more difficult. "Oklahoma and Texas have a longer history of competitive soccer," Edwards said. "And Arkansas is nearly two decades behind." One of the season highlights, according to Edwards, was the game against Texas A&M Commerce . The number three ranked teamwas held to a suddendeath, overtime win. "The fact that we held such a highly ranked team to overtime is impressive ," Edwards said. Edwards complimented his team and their efforts during the season. "They all did an outstanding job, especially when we hit the stiffest competition," he said. Edwards continued with his accolades, saying he was proud of the way the Lady Bisons stepped up to thei r challenges and exceeded expectations. Heather Gray, a freshman midfielder, said she thought the season went well for the first year. "I thought itwould be intimidating since Iwas a freshman," Gray said. "But the team was really supportive." Edwards named Gray as one of the MVP's on the team. "[Heather] is in the top 10 of everything in the Lone Star Conference," Edwards said. "She's the top scorer on the team." Other top players that Edwards highlighted included fullback Justine Cokley, attacking midfielder Andrea Richmond and goalie Jodi Besenyei. "Justine shut down some very fast playerswith more experience," Edwards said. "Jodi did an outstanding job, especially when we hit the stiffest competition, and Andrea established a new record during the season for most assists in a game." The Lady Bisons are looking forward to the next season now that the team has a Ii ttle experience in the conference. "We need to improve in speed to better compete with the Texas teams," Edwards said. "But 1 still fee l good about the team." - Remie Beaulieu * fill-Stars LSC All Conference Team Heather Gray - Midfielder LSC Honorable Mention Jodi Besenyei - Goalie LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll Rachel Belcher Gena Rouse Sarah Randolph Ashley Hodge Heather Shipman Sheila Dunham WOMEN'S SOCCER 223 •
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