Soccer team kicks off season
September 07, 2006
The LSUS Lady Pilots soccer team has kicked off their season and have jumped off to a good start. After beating their first opponents of the year 6-0 against D-I school Southern University of Baton Rouge and losing only 1-0 against D-I squad Northwestern State University, the team is feeling good about how they are playing.
“I definitely think we are better this year, especially with the new people we have brought in,” assistant coach Allen Sihatrai said.
There have been seven new additions to the squad for this season. Last year was the first time LSUS had a soccer team at the school. The Lady Pilots exceeded expectations by going 2-2 in conference play and making the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournament. They came in second place – only one win short of making the national tournament.
Their loss in the tournament championship game came against the University of Mobile Rams, who was ranked no. 13 in the nation at the time.
“This year we match up better against them, but they will still be our toughest team to beat,” Sihatrai said.
The Lady Pilots begin conference play on Sept. 26 at home against the Belhaven Blazers. Before then, they will take on three more Division-I opponents as they prepare themselves for the tough conference schedule.
According to Sihatrai, captains Brenna Bussart and Michelle Williamson are being looked upon to step up and be leaders this year.
“We always work hard. We have through pre-season and just had to get mentally prepared for this first game. They (Southern) thought they were going to murder us because it was their first time in their new stadium, but we just used everything we had been practicing for the past two weeks and it worked out really well,” middle forward Williamson said.
The sophomore psychology major said by playing the D-I teams, the team will be much better prepared for conference games.
LSUS will take on Union University in Jackson, Tenn., Friday beginning at 7 p.m. as part of a two-day event.
Story By Chrissy Chiri
