GEORGETOWN, Texas - Sweeping changes are coming to the Pirate soccer field as the Southwestern women's team kicks off the 2013 season. Captains Lindsay Jakszta, Hayley Warriner and Kylie O'Connor will guide the ship this season and continue what they started in the spring.
Head Coach Jene' Baclawski returns six starters from last year's squad that made it to the SCAC Conference semifinals. Included in that group is leading goal scorer and First Team All-SCAC selection senior Lindsay Jakszta. "Jakszta has the ability to be an all-region player for us," shared Coach Baclawski. "She can put a lot of goals in the back of the net."
Joining Jakszta in the midfield is junior Allie Dillon. Dillon led the Pirates in assists last season and, according to Baclawski, "will be an impact player as she matures and further understands the system, using the strength that she acquired by her hard work in the off season."
In the attacking third of the field the Pirates return key strikers that will look to up the pressure this season. Senior Paige Duggins was second on the team in goals scored and will use her speed to continuously test defenses. Junior Carol Bentley often has a hand in the attacks that were well executed and will continue to do so this season. "Paige and Carol will both be impact players for us," shared Baclawski. "We need to score more goals this season and they will have a big part in that."
Leading the back field is seasoned veteran, senior Kylie O'Connor. O'Connor scored one goal last season and often starts the attack from the defensive line. "Kylie is a defender who became a starter last year and is the returner we will be building our defense around," shared Baclawski. Coach Baclawski is lucky to have such a strong leader on the defense as the Pirates' look to replace the majority of their defensive third.
One of the biggest changes will be in goal as three Pirates look to secure their spot as the final line of defense. Returners Katherine Rodgers and Kelsi Darr have solid experience while newcomer Mariah Escajeda looks to take some time between the posts.
All-in-all nine first-years and one transfer can be the difference makers this season. "We want to see our freshman step up and be important players for us," stated Baclawski. "They are incredibly focused but have some lessons to learn. We will see how quickly they can learn the pace of the college game but I think they all have the ability to play significant minutes early on."
With an even higher fitness level and a deeper team the Pirates will look to run opponents in the ground. "There is so much depth and talent on this team," shared Baclawski. "Dictating the pace of the game is going to be very important for us. We need to know when to possess and when to press. We have got to be dangerous in the attacking third."
SU will get their first chance to execute that game plan in Washington as they take on two opponents for the first time. Southwestern faces Pacific Lutheran on Friday and Whitworth Saturday to open the season. "Since we are a west region team it is important for us to have good relationships with teams on the west coast. This is the start of what is going to become a home and away rotation with these schools. I am excited to see if the preparations the team has put in will show in competition. This is a great opportunity for those that think they can do it now to step up and own it and show it."
Following the road trip the Pirates will spend the month of September at home, playing eight consecutive home matches. "The home stand is great because we will have access to all of the players on our roster which will be a huge asset," shared Baclawski. "It is going to be fun to be here in the fall with the excitement of football and the athletic spirit that is happening on campus and I am glad we get to capitalize on that. I think September will be a really good month for us and hopefully something we can manage before we go on the road. Our field the biggest in conference and is a hard venue for teams to come and play on. I hope we can take advantage of that."
During the home stand, SU opens SCAC conference action. With two new teams in the mix in Texas Lutheran and Schreiner the Pirates will need to take care of business at home. "We are excited to add TLU and Schreiner. TLU is getting better and it is exciting that there are more teams for women's soccer. One of the things we need to learn is to take care of business against teams that we should be beating. In order to be where we want to be in the conference tournament we can't let those games that we are supposed to control slip away."
Southwestern will be looking to make a return trip to the SCAC Conference Tournament in November. Fans will have their first chance to see the Pirates in action on September 6th as they take on Howard Payne University at 6 pm.