Every season brings a new possibility to play and compete for a team championship. Montreat's women's soccer team returns 11 solid players from last year's squad, and Coach Dan Woerner is excited about the season.
Key returners include Laura Carlson (Freemont, MI), Mandy Solesbee (Hickory, NC, 22 goals and 11 assists last season), GK Leah Scroggs (Leicester, NC), and junior midfielder Heather Hable (Stuart, VA). The Lady Cavs have a solid core of upper classmen. In addition to these leaders, six sophomores make up the majority of Coach Woerner’s team. They include Bethany Carmichael (Hampton, VA), KK Thacker (Hickory, NC), Leah Mummer (Hampton, VA), Katie Kovarik (Clayton, NC), Lucy White (Northport, AL), and Jenna Givens (Sevierville, TN).
Senior Hannah Davidson (Culver City, CA) is transferring from Simpson University (CA) where she played and started for three seasons. Another key transfer this season is Brittnye Scott (Allentown, PA), who red-shirted one year at Rutgers University. “After losing Danielle Jordan and Erin Rodriguez to graduation, both Brittnye and Hannah will add some much needed experience to our team and should contribute immediately this season,” says Coach Woerner.
Six new freshmen will round out the roster: Rebekah Worley (Raleigh, NC), Elizabeth Hamilton (Lenoir, NC), Shannon Olson (Encinitas, CA), Amanda Noeper (Fort Mill, SC), McKenzie Graham (Lake Mooresville, NC) and GK Jessica Fox (Belmont, NC). They all bring a great deal of club and high school soccer experience to the Lady Cav program. “Ever since I arrived at Montreat I’ve always wanted to have a team roster deep enough to have players competing for playing time and positions, and this year’s team will finally have the depth that we’ve been lacking to be competitive for the entire season,” says Coach Woerner.
Last year’s AAC Champions and National Tournament Qualifiers, Virginia Intermont College, cancelled their women’s soccer program this year, leaving the AAC championship a real possibility for the Lady Cavaliers in 2007.