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Soccer preview   The Racer Insider's Will Aubrey

(August 22, 2007)

The Murray State University women's soccer team staggered out of the gate last year, losing their first three games by a combined score of 8-0. Since they were coming off of the best season in the program's history that kind of a start was shocking. But with a new head coach and a new offense perhaps it shouldn’t have been.

“We changed the style of play last year because I wanted our girls to possess the ball and it took them a while to adjust to that,” head coach Beth Acreman said. “But we got better as the year went on and then we played much better this spring.”

“We played in tournaments at the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University and we reached the final at WKU.”

One bright spot last season was the play of Rebekah Clay who led the Ohio Valley Conference in points and shots-on-goal and was tied for first in goals scored with nine. A clever forward, Clay returns for her junior season and figures to be extremely difficult for opposing teams to handle.

“Rebekah is consistent and I know I can count on her,” Acreman said. “She's a very skillful player and we've tried to get our other girls to play the way she does, a little more composed than they did before I got here.”

Krista Llewellyn and Lacy Latimer also provide scoring punch at the forward position.

Llewellyn was right behind Clay in goals scored last year with eight despite starting just 14 of the 18 games.

Former Murray High star Latimer had the highest shooting percentage on the team and was third on the squad in goals scored with five.

“Lacy trained very hard this summer so we're looking for her to step up and help lead the way for us,” Acreman said. “She is one of eight seniors on the team and they are all determined to reach the final of the OVC tournament.”

Although she's listed on the roster as a midfielder, freshman Laken Dirkes may also figure prominently in the Racers’ attack, as she was a prolific scorer at Marshall County High School where she earned all-state honors for three consecutive years. A state champion in the 100-meter hurdles, Dirkes' speed will be difficult for opponents to match.

With all that firepower MSU figures to score often. But they had a potent offense last year, as they were among the conference leaders in most offensive categories. Their undoing was their defense.

That should change this season. The backfield is more experienced and new keeper Tara Isbel figures to make an immediate impact.

Isbel, a transfer from the University of Louisville, was an all-state performer at Mayfield High School and she played with the Racers in the spring.

“Tara played well and we think she'll do a good job,” Acreman said. “But we also have two freshmen keepers coming in - Tessa Williams and Katrina Goscha. All three of them are young and talented and it will be interesting to see who gets the playing time there.”

With seniors Kara Carlile, Lauren Granger, Jen Peios and Katrina Meyer playing either midfield or backfield the defense will be experienced. And Brazilian transfer Renata Figueira figures to make them even better as she played on Brazil’s under-19 national team.

The OVC preseason poll has Murray State tied for seventh and Samford is the heavy favorite to win the title for the fifth straight year. But that doesn’t concern Acreman.

“The pre-season picks weren't surprising and I like being ranked a little lower,” she said. “I hope people take us for granted. I think with who we have back and who we have coming in we should do well.”

The Racers open the season on the road at Valparaiso on August 31 before returning home for three consecutive games. Then they face a seven game road trip.

Some people might consider that brutal but not Acreman.

“Two of those games are in Miami and I'm sure the girls won't mind flying down there to play,” she said. “And two more are really neutral site games in a tournament at UT-Martin. So I don't think it's such a big deal.”

On the other hand MSU gets three of the top four teams in the league at home this year. If they can sweep that trio of games they should be in the thick of the race for the OVC crown.

Still, the biggest news may have nothing to do with what happens on the field.

“We're getting a brand new facility that will include locker` rooms for tennis and soccer,” Acreman said. “We’ll break ground on August 21 and it should be finished by next fall.

“This was made possible by a donation from Rosemary and Harry Crisp and it will give us a huge recruiting edge because not many schools have their own soccer facility.”

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