Wrapping up the season at just 9-7-1 overall was not the Mustangs’ game plan in the 2007-08 season. Setting expectations at nothing short of a Conference USA title, the women’s soccer team came up short after sinking to a five-game drought in the middle of conference play to put them in the middle of C-USA rankings.
With 18 recruits for the approaching 2008 season, the team welcomes its largest recruiting class in the program’s history. SMU also ranked 75th out of 100 in the soccerbuzz.com 2008 Top Recruiting Classes list.
Now, with a season opener against nationally ranked Oklahoma State in August followed by face-offs against NCAA semi-finalist Notre Dame and reigning NCAA champion Southern California, the Mustangs are relying heavily on the fresh, young talent of the new recruits to carry the Mustangs to the championship they continue to strive for.
Head Coach Brent Erwin’s first recruiting class was finalized and announced June 24. The final additions to the new roster include two goalkeepers, five defenders, eight midfielders and three forwards.
“We needed new players, we needed good players and we needed players that have the characteristics that I like,” explained Erwin. Combine this fresh talent with the experience of last year’s team, and Erwin is convinced that the approaching season will be great.
So what makes these 18 athletes stand out among the countless other candidates?
“My number one thing that I always look for is angry competitors,” said Erwin. “I look for people who like to compete. I like players who are competitive, I like players who are fast, and I like players who have some sort of physical tag, whether they are tall or strong.”
With over half of the team made up of freshmen, Erwin admits there are some setbacks, but feels confidant in the team’s ability to overcome the expected apprehensions.
“There’s going to be growing pains, but that’s natural, and I think it’s the first step in making us great again,” explained Erwin. “We’re fortunate because the way our season works out this year we have a long preseason, so that gives us time to work together. It’s just something that takes time.”
Topping the list of recruits of Erwin’s new players are Dylan Jordan, Kaitlyn Edson, Carlin Gibbs and Logan May. Called “exceptional players” by Erwin, these key players are expected to add strength, speed, agility and experience to the offense and defense.
Touching on one of last year’s weaknesses of having only one style of play, Erwin feels his new players will add several elements, providing SMU with more than one option to winning games.
“Last year we really only had one way we could play, now we have more ways we can play, and I think that’s very important,” said Erwin. “Maybe one day you need a different combination to win. Now we have the players to do that. This year we’ll have more ways to play, and I feel that’s very important.”
Jordan, a midfielder and member of the United States National Team Pool from Clarksville, Tenn., has been described to have a “very good work rate. She loves SMU, and she loves to play, and will be an excellent addition to our team,” said Erwin.
Edson, from Katy, Texas, came to SMU after Erwin saw her ability to “play with both feet,” making her capable of filling a variety of positions. Edson’s strong leadership skills and ability to play in the air and complete passes make Erwin think she will be a “nice fit” with the Mustangs.
One of the traits Erwin was looking for in his new players is a unique physical characteristic. Finding it in Gibbs’ height, the defender is also credited for playing on one of the best teams in the country, the Oklahoma ODP state team and regional pool. “[Gibbs] has all the physical tools to be an outstanding player,” said Erwin. ” . . . We really want her to come in and compete for playing time right away.”
May, from Coppell, Texas, comes to the Hilltop as one of the top forwards in the Dallas area. Having dreamed of coming to play at SMU since she was a child, May contributes to the Mustangs’ offense on several fronts. “She is left-footed and tall, and her dad is her coach – and he’s taught her well. We expect her to come in and compete right away,” said Erwin.
“We have some very capable players coming back in the fall, and now we have some talented newcomers to compete with them and push them every day in practice, which should make everyone perform at a higher level,” said Erwin.
The rest of Erwin’s recruiting class is made up of goalkeepers Rebecca Cushing (Lone Tree, Colo.) and Courtney Webb (Dallas, Texas). The defense picked up Vicky Ascensio (Kingswood, Texas), Tracy Diers (Dallas, Texas), Natalie Heintz (Great Falls, Va.) and Alexandra Russell (Birmingham, Ala.).
SMU’s offense added midfielders Mary Connally (Arlington, Texas), Melissa Cowle (Plano, Texas), Devon Hermann (Irving, Texas), Courtney Messina (Plano, Texas), Jordynn Prado (Plano, Texas) and Katherine Cox (McKinney, Texas). Forwards Alex Dreyer (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and Sarah Catherine Ryan (Memphis, Tenn.) finish up the roster.
“By bringing in this many players you’re going to have players with certain strengths and weaknesses, and you need to have other people who can complement those weaknesses and accentuate those strengths,” said Erwin about combining the new talent with last year’s players.
In addition to the team’s new up- and-coming members, the team also signed assistant coach Derek Leader, former head coach of the women’s team at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Working alongside returning assistant coaches Kyle Mittendorf and Joe Waggoner, Erwin hopes the trio will enhance the team’s overall goal of winning the Conference USA title in the upcoming season, and carry the women on to a national championship.
“He’s been coaching at the highest level of women’s soccer in this country for the last 15 years. He has tremendous experience,” said Erwin.
After occupying the women’s head coaching position at the academy for 12 years, Leader comes to the Hilltop with a wealth of experience behind him including being a member of the U.S. Soccer national instructional staff for five years, and 16 years spent coaching the Region III ODP U-16 Girls’ team.
“He’s just a good person and fantastic coach,” explained Erwin. So now [assistant coach] Kyle [Mittendorf] is very good, and Joe [Waggoner] is one of the best goalkeeper coaches in the country. Now we conspire on all cylinders, the players get coached by every one.”
The women’s season opener will be on Aug. 16 at Baylor in an exhibition game followed by a four-game home stretch beginning on Aug. 23 against OSU.
