The SMU women’s soccer team dominated Steven F. Austin University on Friday, proving that they will be a force to reckon with in the 2006 season. The Mustangs ended the game 5-0 over SFA with the first goal coming in at the 11-minute mark. The goal came as a result of a penalty against SFA on the Mustangs’ Olivia O’Rear. Junior Kimber Bailey scored the penalty kick that was followed by Marisa Schider’s goal one minute later. Freshman Kim Peabody, who saw playing time in her first college game, was credited with the assist. Freshman Jennifer Raad also saw playing time in the exhibition game.
If Friday is any indication of the upcoming season, the Lady Mustangs are set to dominate C-USA and possibly the NCAA tournament. Sophomore Carley Phillips thinks that Friday’s exhibition game was a great preview of the 2006 team.
“We only graduated one senior, so we have a really tight knit team,” Phillips said. “The freshmen have already meshed with the rest of us. We’re more relaxed as a team. We have a big schedule this year; we’re going to see good things.” Phillips isn’t the only one that has noticed the camaraderie on the team. Incoming freshman Alissa Ireland was immediately impressed with the level of talent and the attitude of the squad.
“Everyone steps up a lot when they get on the field,” said Ireland. “I was really excited to see everyone as a team [at the first game].” Although Ireland was not eligible to play in Friday’s game, she is ready to play in SMU’s season opener.
“We play LSU and UNC this weekend, those will be big games,” Ireland said.
The soccer team’s potential is being recognized throughout the conference. The SMU women’s team has been named as the preseason favorite to win the conference tournament by C-USA coaches. A win this year would be the Lady Mustang’s fifth conference title. Three of SMU’s individual team members have been named to the preseason all conference team: junior Kimber Bailey, sophomore Carley Phillips and sophomore Ashley Gunter.
The SMU women start the regular season this coming weekend with games against both LSU and North Carolina University.
