Soccer Readies For Season

August 17, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- Two near misses has done nothing more than strengthen the resolve of Southwestern Oklahoma State University soccer coach Joe Bradley as the Bulldogs get ready to open the 2007 season.

The Bulldogs have bolstered themselves with some extra firepower and look to breakthrough and earn a berth in the six-team Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament. SWOSU has narrowly missed qualifying each of the last two years, including finishing seventh in 2006.

The Bulldogs, who finished 6-9-2, return much of the offensive core of last year’s team led by seniors Carrie Dumbauld and Jamie Hilterbran. Dumbauld has led the squad in scoring the last three years and holds multiple school scoring records. Hilterbran has been an ideal catalyst for the offense with her strong pushes and her ability to deliver the ball to an open teammate. She has led the squad in assists twice in the last three years.

Defensively and in the middle several changes will be made as the team looks to replace the graduated Robin Kluck, Christine Le, Cherilyn Pritchett and Chlelsea Edwards. More playing time should become available to returners Samantha Dobson, Stephanie Kneedler, Robin Reidle, Kristin Kirtland, Lauren Parker and Melissa Terrell along with a lengthy list of newcomers.

New faces will be in goal for the Bulldogs as freshmen Ashley Neal and Becky Hilterbran will vie for the job vacated by the departure of last year’s net minder Keli Bass.

The Bulldogs open the season on the road playing Adams State on Aug. 24th and New Mexico Highlands on Aug. 26th. Both games will be played in Canyon, Texas. SWOSU’s first home game is Friday, Aug. 31 against Washburn University.