University of Houston Athletics
Houston Soccer Begins Preparations for 2003 Season
8/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 15, 2003
The University of Houston Women's Soccer team officially opened practice this week in preparation for the upcoming 2003 season, its sixth of competition, which kicks off on Friday, August 29, in the Baylor Tournament against North Texas at 4:30 p.m. in Waco, Texas.
The 2003 recruiting class for Houston, comprised of 10 signees -- nine freshmen and one transfer -- includes three midfielders, two defenders, two forwards and one goalkeeper, including two from Texas and three from nearby Oklahoma.
"The girls are working extremely hard to get themselves game-fit, as well as learning each other's tendencies from a chemistry standpoint," began fourth-year head coach Bill Solberg. "The intensity of practice has been the best in the history of the program, and we have to make sure that we carry that intensity over into every game this year."
Despite the youthfulness of this year's squad, Cougar soccer continues to work towards developing into a national power while keeping its eyes set on a Conference USA championship and trip to the NCAA tournament.
The 2003 team will be led by mainstay seniors Emily Allwardt and Nicole Aubuchon and junior Nikki Hawkins - all of whom are expected to bring experience, chemistry and knowledge of the system to the budding Cougar team.
Highlighting Houston's demanding 2003 schedule is match-ups against Big 12 rival Baylor, SMU, Marquette, Georgia and South Carolina - all of which have been recently ranked among the top programs in the nation -- before equally tough competition in conference play, which begins on Sept. 19 at DePaul.
Last season, the Cougars posted an 8-8-3 overall record, including 4-3-3 in Conference USA play, and advanced to the C-USA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. Graduated senior Ashley Fortenberry and sophomores Nikki Hawkins and Alison Sinclair were each named to the Second Team All-Conference USA, while freshman midfielder Kelly Golden was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.
