After a disappointing 2006 season going 4-15-1 overall and 1-7 in the Southland Conference, the Lady Colonels soccer team is prepared to compete and finish strong in the upcoming 2007 season. With 12 returning players and seven talented incoming freshmen, head coach Cindy Piper is confident the Lady Colonels have what it takes to achieve a winning season.

“I am really excited about the new season,” Piper said. “Our schedule has us playing some top quality programs. With our mixture of returning players and new recruits, I look forward to being involved in these competitive matches.”

The team kicked off the season with their first practice Aug. 10. Piper said the players showed up to preseason camp well conditioned and that later enabled the team to focus more on style of play and strategy.

“The is the first preseason where all of the players really showed up well conditioned and fit which has really helped us focus more on playing and getting to know one another’s strengths and weaknesses,” Piper said.

The Lady Colonels signed a total of seven recruits, only one of when will redshirt for the 2007 season. Piper said the freshmen have adapted well to playing at the collegiate level, and the team has had a good level of competition in the practices.

The squad will be without all-SLC selections Ashley Bock and Tori Priddy, but experience returns in seniors Heather Gamble and Jessica Schwartz. Gamble played in all games of the 2006 season and scored one goal, with 10 shots on goal. Schwartz scored three goals, with one assist. Both players have received significant playing time since their freshman year.

Piper said the schedule is more favorable this year thanto last. “We were lucky enough that we get to open up with three straight home games, where in the past we were usually on the road for the first few games,” Piper said. “Hopefully, we have good results for those first three games so we can build some confidence.”

The Lady Colonels will open the season with an exhibition game against Mississippi State University in Starkville Aug. 24.

After the exhibition game, the Lady Colonels will return home and face off in a series of several home games against Troy State University, Southern University and Jackson State University. The Lady Colonels will play a total of 20 games in the 2007 season.