University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Soccer Outlook
8/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 17, 2010
HOUSTON - The Houston Cougar soccer team is set to kickoff the 2010 season under fourth-year head coach Susan Bush. Many key players return from last year's team including seven starters, and those veterans will be bolstered by the most talented incoming freshman class in program history.
To take advantage of all the talent and skill the Cougars possess, Bush is moving the team to a more offense-oriented 3-4-3 formation. The coaching staff will retain their continuity as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Eric Quill and assistant coach Jenna Huff both return for their fourth seasons and have drilled the team in the nuances of the new scheme this offseason.
"Our expectations are high for this season," Bush said. "Our fitness level is top-notch. There is a great mix of veteran leadership and talent and youthful playmakers. Our coaching staff is 100 percent dedicated to making this a memorable soccer season. We have worked hard all summer long and are anxious to get onto the field."
"We put a major emphasis on creating scoring chances and finishing those chances this offseason. There is going to be more depth to this team than in previous years and although we are young, we are talented."
Senior Lauri Byrne, the active leader in points scored and tied for the lead in goals, will be a primary focus of the Cougars' attack. Junior Jessica Zavalza, the other active career leader in goals scored, will also play a key role in creating scoring chances. Sophomore Katelyn Rhodes, who may have been the most improved player over the course of her freshman year, will log some minutes in the attacking positions.
Senior Kaitlin Thulin is fully recovered from a knee injury that forced her to redshirt last year and the veteran leadership and shooting ability she brings will cause a logjam at forwards, a problem coach Bush is happy to contend with. Sophomores Morgan Vela and Ashleigh Thomson and freshman Sami Sackos will give the coaching staff depth and fresh legs to run the opposing defenses ragged.
"Between those veterans (Byrne, Zavalza, Thulin) and our newcomers, we are going to be stretching defenses thin and applying pressure all game long. Lots of our newcomers are impact players and goal scorers, and they will be able to see what makes the returners so successful and build off that."
Midfield play will be crucial this year for the Cougars as it will be the link protecting the less-populated backline to the high-pressure front line. Senior Melanie Adelman, one of the most versatile players on the team, will be a veteran presence in the midfield and is capable of playing inside or outside. Sophomore Kaci Bush will be helpful to the defense in her position at the central holding midfield as her defensive tendencies and athleticism are well suited for that spot.
Freshmen will help fill the ranks in the middle as Challenge club-teammates Kylie Cook (Houston Chronicle Player of the Year) and Nicole Duarte look to take their experience together to the next level. Other players that will bolster the midline include sophomores Ryne Woods and Stephanie Brown, freshmen Fabi Cirino and Jazz Martinez, and junior transfer Natalie Vu.
Anchoring the Cougars' backline will be juniors Stephanie Dereig, who dished out four assists from her defensive location last year, and Ryan Bruz. Bruz is a natural stopper back and loves to challenge the opposition from her role as the central back. Manning the right back position will be freshman Danielle Munoz, the third Challenge club-teammate for the Cougars.
Freshman Katherine Ingold and sophomore Rochelle Fields challenge for playing time as they provide excellent athleticism and defensive awareness for the backline.
"Our backline may end up being the key to our season. While we don't have the numbers we have in years past, that doesn't mean the talent isn't there. Ryan and Stephanie are proven presences back there and will help us going forward. The other position will have great competition, and I'm excited about the new look from that position group."
Two new faces will compete for playing time at goalie. Redshirt freshman Cami Koski, one of the most vocal leaders on the team, and true freshman Chelsea Meyers are poised to protect the posts. Both keepers provide size, athleticism and the ability to boom the ball downfield.
The Schedule
The Cougars open the season at home against Sam Houston State on Aug. 22 before embarking on a four-game road swing against Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State, TCU and Baylor.
Six of the next seven games are at Robertson Stadium with an away trip at UTSA on Sept. 19 in between. The Cougars wrap up their non-conference schedule against Stephen F. Austin and Texas Southern at home before Conference USA play begins on Sept. 24.
The Cougars take on C-USA foes SMU, Tulsa, Colorado College and UTEP before having to leave the friendly confines of Robertson Stadium.
Five of the last seven games are on the road with a home-weekend date filled by East Carolina and Marshall on Oct. 15 and 17. The Cougars travel to UCF, Southern Miss, UAB, Memphis before closing the season out against cross-town rival Rice.
Nine home games and ten road matches fill the Houston schedule before the C-USA Championship takes place in Orlanda on Nov 3-7.
