HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team will begin defense of its Southland Conference Tournament championship this week, hosting non-conference foes Mississippi Valley State and Southern Mississippi at the Southeastern Soccer Complex to open the 2010 campaign.
On Friday, Southeastern welcomes MVSU to town for a 3:30 p.m. match. USM comes to town on Sunday for a 4 p.m. contest on Sunday.
Southeastern returns seven starters and 15 letterwinners from last season's team that finished 13-5-2 overall and 6-1-1 in Southland play. The Lady Lions went on to win the league tournament and advanced to the NCAA College Cup for the first time in school history.
Offensively, Southeastern returns its three top goals scorers from last season, when the Lady Lions netted a league-high 56 goals. Sophomores
Maiya Cooper (14 goals in 2009) and
Karly Dagys (8 goals) return up top, while senior
Natalie Santana (nine goals, 10 assists) will once again anchor the offensive attack from the central midfield.
The Lady Lions return All-Southland performers
Brittany Prieto,
Kyle MacIntosh and
Nicole Brannigan in the defensive backfield. Last season, Southeastern matched or set league records for shutouts (13), fewest goals allowed (13) and goals against average (0.63).
In goal, junior
Lacey Bockhaus is back after posting the most impressive statistical season by a Southeastern goalkeeper in school history. The Southland Conference Tournament MVP set league single-season records with 12 shutouts and a 0.64 goals against average in 2009.
MVSU is coming off a 4-11-2 campaign in 2009. Sophomore Santoria Lunsford returns after leading the team with six goals and five assists a season ago. Seniors Christina Viscardi (five goals) and Mandi Quirk (four goals) are the other top scorers for the Delta Devils. Sophomore Pam Johnston posted a 1.64 goals against average last season.
Southeastern and Mississippi Valley State will be meeting for the second time in history. The Lady Lions blanked MVSU, 4-0, in 2004.
Southeastern Miss posted a 4-12 mark in 2009, losing its final 10 matches of the year. Junior Stephanie Buller is the team's top returning scorer, after finishing with two goals and two assists last year. Junior Hannah Vanderbough returns in net after finishing 2009 with a 2.87 goals against average.
Southeastern will be looking for its first-ever win over USM. The Lady Lions are 0-5 versus the Golden Eagles, including a 2-0 loss in Hattiesburg last August.
Following the opening home stand, Southeastern will hit the road for the first time next weekend. On Friday, the Lady Lions will face Troy at 4 p.m. before heading to Montgomery, Ala. for a 1 p.m. contest at Alabama State on Sunday.
