With one season under its belt, the 2007 UTSA women’s soccer team looks to again compete for the conference championship and NCAA College Cup. Head coach Steve Ballard begins his second season at the helm with a more experienced and mature team.
“We have a strong nucleus returning this season and they will carry this team,” Ballard said. “I know our returnees will set the tone for the newcomers and make them feel welcome.”
In 2006, Ballard guided the Roadrunners to an 8-9-2 overall record and finished second in the SLC standings with a 5-1-2 mark.
This year’s squad features 18 returning letterwinners, including nine starters. UTSA also welcomes eight newcomers to the team.
| Rachel Francis |
Goalies
The goalie position features three outstanding players led by returning starter junior Rachel Francis. Also coming back is sophomore Kasi Hebert, while freshman Allison McCabe enters her first season. Francis started all 19 matches and tallied 108 saves, while allowing just 30 goals. She also recorded five shutouts and posted the second-best save percentage in the conference (.783). Hebert saw action in three games last season and collected two saves and combined with Francis for two shutouts. Meanwhile, McCabe hails from Arlington were she played at Nolan Catholic HS. McCabe posted 13 shutouts and 102 saves as a senior in 2007.
“All three keepers can play and we feel fortunate in this position.” Ballard said.
Defenders
UTSA’s strength on the field is defense. Returning is a quartet that helped post five shutouts in 2006. Leading the way are sophomores Celeste Carruth, Halee Hamm, Kylee Hix and Chea Pajak. Those four players look to anchor this year’s defense. Hamm netted one goal last season. Carruth tallied five assists, which ranked second on the team. Sophomores Erin Ussey, Kim Selman and Carly Chudej also will see action and newcomers Laura Barker and Jenna Pawelek will compete for playing time.
“Our backs are set with our returning players that finished the year,” Ballard said. “With the newcomers our defense will be more solid.”
Midfielders
UTSA is stacked at midfield with three returning starters, including sophomore Chelsea Zimmerman, who was the 2006 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year and a first-team honoree. Zimmerman led UTSA in goals (9) and points (24). Also returning for the Roadrunners are sophomores Kim Gonzales and Kari Weiland. Gonzales started 12 matches for the Roadrunners and recorded one goal and two assists, while Weiland led UTSA with seven assists and garnered all-conference honorable mention accolades. Competing for the fourth spot are junior Dinky Lopez and freshmen Laurel Dierking, Alli Dillon, Kat Morel and Lauren Schultz.
“Chelsea is the leader of this group,” Ballard said. “She controls the speed of the game for us and can also score from this position, which provides us with an extra striker on offense.
“Kari is another player who can duplicate Chelsea on the field,” Ballard said. “She is good at moving with the ball and distributes it well enough to give us a chance to put it in the net.”
Forwards
Looking to put the ball in the net for UTSA are sophomores Veronica Najera, Ezinne Opko, Mikelle Stack and Jenny Munoz. Najera played in all 19 matches, while starting 13. She ranked second on the team with six goals and 13 points and led the team with 38 shots. The Waxahachie native was an honorable mention all-conference selection last season. Okpo, who was tabbed second team all-conference in 2006 and responded with one goal and two assists. Munoz tallied three goals and recorded two assists. Newcomer Joy Jarrell and sophomore Chelsea Pack will see action for the Roadrunners.
“Veronica is coming back for us and she will provide scoring opportunities,” Ballard said. “She has a chance to become a special player this year.”
| Steve Ballard |
The Schedule
Ballard again has set up a tough non-conference schedule featuring three teams that advanced to the 2006 NCAA College Cup (McNeese State, Texas and SMU). The Roadrunners will face three teams from the Big 12 Conference in Baylor, Texas and Texas Tech. UTSA opens its season on the road at SMU on Aug. 31, then returns for its home opener against Baylor on Sept. 4. The Roadrunners will be tested when they hit the road for a four-game swing beginning at Texas Southern (Sept. 7) and Texas Tech (Sept. 9). That stretch concludes at TCU (Sept. 11) and Texas (Sept. 14). UTSA returns to San Antonio for a pair of games against Delaware on Sept. 21 and Iona on Sept. 23. The Roadrunners begin SLC action on the road at Nicholls State on Oct. 5 and at Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 7. UTSA returns home to host Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 12 and Sam Houston State on Oct. 14. The team then travels to San Marcos to face I-35 rival Texas State on Oct. 21 and heads to Central Arkansas five days later. The Roadrunners conclude their regular season with two home games against new conference member Lamar and McNeese State.
“My philosophy is to play a tough schedule to improve our play and be competitive,” Ballard said. “This year’s schedule is as tough as last season. Playing against teams that compete hard every game will get us prepared for conference."