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University of Houston Athletics
2009 Houston Soccer Preview
8/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 17, 2009
HOUSTON - Beginning her third year as head coach, Susan Bush approaches the 2009 campaign with the same goal she sets every year. It is as simplistic as teamwork but requires the complexity of balancing seasoned letterwinners with the speed and fresh talent of the incoming class.
"Our goal every year is to out prepare and outwork other teams," Bush said. "Defensively, we have to defend in numbers and get behind the ball early. Offensively, we have to work off the ball.
"We really have to work as a team. We don't have someone who will just score three goals a game. That's not our personnel, and that's not our style."
Since the beginning of Bush's helm, this is the first time a substantial core of experienced players is returning for the season. Bush will look to the veterans to lead the team and to motivate them to achieve their goal.
"The upperclassmen set the standard for the season; they set the standard for the intensity of the practice and the commitment," Bush explains. "They're demanding the freshman to play at the next level already, even in preseason.
"Having leaders on the team is really important. Throughout the season, the leaders have to bring our team together so that everyone understands that we're here for a common goal, and it takes everyone to do that."
Bush also looks to have a breakout season in Conference USA.
"We have eight returning starters. That will give us more experience knowing the level of competition we're playing in conference. We've added a little more speed and athleticism, and that's going to help in our conference a lot."
One can expect to see great improvement this year. With the maturity of the returning starters and the enthusiasm of the newcomers, the Cougars approach the 2009 season with optimism and excitement.
The Forwards
Returning starters junior Lauri Byrne and sophomore Jessica Zavalza will anchor the offense. Zavalza led the team in scoring last season netting five goals including three game-winning goals. Byrne tallied 22 shots on goal and started 18 games in 2008.
"Both of those girls have a lot of speed and find themselves having two or three break a ways a game with several chances on goal," Bush said.
Nikki Echeverria will also return to the front line. The senior starter played in 16 matches in the 2008 season and recorded 11 shots on goal. "Up top, we've added speed and some more options," Bush said. "Katelyn Rhodes will have a huge impact as well on the front line."
Rhodes brings a lot of promise as a forward. She was named the 2006 2-5A District Newcomer of the Year and the 2-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2008.
The Midfield
"We have some speed on the outside and experience in the middle," Bush details. "We have Kaitlin Thulin and Christine Nieva who are seniors and will likely play in the attracting center mid position. We have three or four kids that we can rotate in at the holding center mid position."
Thulin started 16 of the 17 matches she played last season and tallied a team-high 34 shots. Nieva fired off 19 shots and notched two assists.
New to the Houston midfield are freshmen Kaci Bush, Morgan Vela and Ryane Woods. Bush was named First Team All-Region and First Team All-State in the spring of 2009. Vela, who will also contribute on the front line, was made First Team All-District in 2005 and 2006. Woods was named the 2009 Cal South National Champion and also set her high school's record for most goals scored.
Melanie Adelman, an Oklahoma State transfer, will bring both collegiate experience and athleticism to the midfield. Adleman helped led the Cowboys to two top-15 national rankings (No. 13 in 2007 and No. 7 in 2008). Sophomore Stephanie Brown also has the potential to see some action in the middle after being named First Team District in 2006 and 2008.
The Defense
"Defensively, we are returning our entire starting four from the spring of last season," Bush details. "Our back line is pretty rival and seasoned."
Stephanie Beyelia and Brittany Cannon will also return to action. Both players were sidelined by ACL injuries at the end of last season but are veterans on the back line.
"We've also added a few pieces from our incoming class," Bush said. "Specifically, Avery Blasi who is six feet tall and dominant in the air. She knows the center back position very well and will likely have a big role this season offensively and defensively. She has the ability to clear balls off corner kicks and to score goals off offensive corner kicks."
Joining Houston's defense is freshman Rochelle Fields who was voted Best Defender twice during her high school career.
The variety of athleticism and experience will help the defense reduce shots on goal. Otherwise, opponents will answer to Lauren Frazier.
Frazier will be defending the goal taking the place of departed senior Shelby Scott who set the school's all-time record with 225 career saves in 2007. The sophomore will have some big shoes to fill but with the support of her teammates, Frazier will be the final piece to a solid defense.
The Schedule
The Cougars open the 2009 season at Houston Baptist on Aug. 21 before the home opener on Aug. 23 against UTSA.
Following the home contest, Houston plays three-straight road games beginning in Austin, Texas against the University of Texas on Sept. 28. The team will then make the trip to California where they will face Pepperdine on Sept. 4 and then battle Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles on Sept. 6.
UH returns home to host Texas State on Sept. 11 and then McNeese State on Sept. 13.
The Cougars then hit the road for a five road game series. The team concludes non-conference play on Sept. 18 against Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Houston kicks off its conference contest in Huntington, W.Va., against Marshall on Sept. 25. The team will then travel down the east coast to square off against East Carolina on Sept. 27.
The team faces Tulsa on Oct. 2 and then SMU on Oct. 4 in Dallas.
On Oct. 9 UH returns to Roberson Stadium for a four-game home series with its first match against Memphis. The Cougars then square off against UAB on Oct. 11. The following weekend, the team plays Southern Miss on Oct. 16 before it concludes its home schedule on Oct. 18 against UCF.
Houston will travel to El Paso, Texas to take on UTEP on Oct. 23. The team will then face Colorado College on Oct. 25 before returning to Texas to challenge crosstown rival Rice in the regular-season finale on Oct. 30.
The Conference USA Championship will be hosted by SMU on Nov. 4-8 in Dallas, Texas.
