Trojans showing some hunger in preseason

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 27, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- A positive vibe.

An excitement for new challenges.

Hunger.

The University of Mount Olive women's soccer team has displayed those characteristics in preseason practices, but there's plenty of room for improvement and growth on the pitch in 2014.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us," UMO head coach Matt Hisler said. "Every aspect of our game must improve and we must get stronger as a team. The players have been great so far."

The Trojans remain young and return 10 starters who saw significant playing time as either freshmen or sophomores last fall. Eight of those returnees combined to score 25 of the team's 30 goals in 2013, including six each by junior forward Ellie Barnes and sophomore midfielder Alex Wetherholt.

Midfielder Damilia Brooks, one of two seniors on the squad, supplied four goals. Junior midfielder Christine Rocchio and junior forward Lauren Power each provided three.

Barnes and Wetherholt are expected to draw extra attention from opposing defenders this fall. The duo combined for 31 total points and 56 shots on goal.

UMO attempted 205 shots as a team.

Hisler contends that while Barnes and Wetherholt are integral pieces to the Trojans' offensive success, each player on the team has a specific job to accomplish whether it's in practice or on game day.

"Every player and the role they play for us is crucial to our team," said Hisler, whose team surrendered 36 goals and finished 5-11-2 during his seventh season on the sideline.

"I expect all 33 players to be ready to make their team better and support each other."

Part of that assessment comes from last season. The Trojans lost their first five Conference Carolinas games by one goal. Two outcomes were decided in overtime.

Hisler and assistant Reid Clewis examined those defeats, evaluated the different aspects of the team and moved forward. The players, since that time, have learned they must focus on each opportunity as it arises.

UMO has the capability of playing out of the back and creating scoring opportunities. The "danger" factor could be the team's ability of working with each other and for each other.

Particularly keeper Stephanie McCoy.

A year older and wiser, the sophomore logged more than 1,100 minutes between the pipes last season. She permitted 21 goals and collected 53 saves in 14 appearances.

"Stephanie had a strong spring season for us and really matured," Hisler sad. "Goalkeeper is a position of strength for us. I believe that any of the three keepers (McCoy, Gigi Ramirez, Kelsey Cirrito) will be ready to lead us when called upon."

Coaches tabbed the Trojans to finish eighth in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll. UMO emerged as the league's East Division co-champion in 2011 and won the program's only tournament title in 2004.

"These polls tend to derive from last year's results," Hisler said. "The league has really grown in both quality and in competition over the last few years so there are no more easy games in conference play.

"We have improved our depth in both quality and quantity in every position. I am excited to see how the team moves forward."

UMO launches its season Sept. 5 at nationally-ranked Columbus State (Ga.) University and faces another in-region foe, Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.), two days later.

The Trojans' home opener is Sept. 10 against Catawba.