The women's soccer team returns eight starters from a 2018 team that was on the brink of qualifying for the post-season. Head coach Natalie Dreyer enters her fifth season at Ozarks and believes this year's team has the talent to play past the regular season. "Our overall goal is to get to the conference tournament," she said. "This team is eager, and I know if we stay on the same page we can qualify. I have high expectations because it is a talented group." The Eagles were on the brink of a 2018 playoff appearance heading into the final regular season weekend, but came up just short. "We don't want to talk about the past because this is a new season and a new team," said Dreyer. "We want to press forward. We need to be mentally tough to accomplish our goals. If we get scored on early in a game, then we can't drop our heads. We have to understand it is a 90-minute game. Getting past the mental barrier is a key element to our success this season." Headlining the returning starters is senior goalkeeper Kiara Henry. Henry enters her final year as a three-time All-Conference performer. Senior forward Madison Chaney is dynamic as a scorer. All-Conference players Joey Long and Breanna Aguilar also return to bolster the defensive effort. "From goalkeeper to our forward line, we have several starters back. Having a veteran starting lineup is very important in this league. We want to move as a whole 11. We want to pressure as a team, not just at individual positions."
Video Interview: https://youtu.be/TBCqfxeh8YM
Returning Starters: Madison Chaney (F), Joey Long (D), Skylar Brown (MF), Makayla Davis (D), Rebecca Peterson (D), Breanna Aguilar (D), Kiara Henry (GK), Lara Wadle (D)
Newcomers: Kailey Barnes (MF/D), Breezie Davis (MF/F), Hannah Smith (F/GK), Jessica Alvarado (MF), Gisselle Estrada (F/MF), Vicky Villatoro (MF/D)
Top Returning Goal Scorer: Madison Chaney (5)
Top Returning Assist Leader: Rebecca Peterson (5)
Top Returning Point Leader: Madison Chaney (10)
All-Conference Players Returning: Kiara Henry, Joey Long, Madison Chaney, Breanna Aguilar
2018 Record (ASC): 4-9-3 (2-7-2)
2018 Conference Finish: 9th
2018 Tournament: None
Program Playoff Appearances: 1
Coach Dreyer Quotes:
"Having a veteran starting lineup is very important in this league. We want to move as a whole 11. We want to pressure as a team, not just at individual positions."
2019 Schedule
August
30 - Fontbonne University (Memphis, Tenn.)
31 - Rhodes College (Memphis, Tenn.)
September
4 @ Hendrix College
7 vs Williams Baptist University
11 vs Lyon Collage
13 @ Ecclesia College
20 vs Hendrix College
26 @ *Sul Ross State University
28 @ *Howard Payne University
October
3 vs *Concordia University Texas
5 vs *Mary Hardin-Baylor
10 @ *Hardin-Simmons University
12 @ *McMurry University
17 vs *LeTourneau University
19 vs ^*East Texas Baptist University
24 vs *Louisiana College
26 vs *Belhaven University
November
1 vs $*Texas-Dallas
5 - ASC Championship Tournament – Quarterfinals
8 - ASC Championship Tournament – Semifinals
10 - ASC Championship Tournament – Finals
*American Southwest Conference match
^Homecoming
%Senior Day
Women's Soccer 2019 Preview