Aug. 19, 2002

ABILENE, Texas - This is a new team with new players at new positions; however, the Cowgirls think they can build on last years NCAA Tournament run and advance farther.

"I am excited for the season to start so I can see the whole team interact," said third-year head coach Marcus Wood. The Cowgirls have one main goal this year and it is to out work every team on the field.

It is possible because of players like Rachel Goold, Sarah Shiflett, and Jessica Stockton. Goold, a technical goalkeeper, broke all of HSU's goalie records as a freshman with nine goals allowed and 72 saves while being named ASC West Division Defensive Freshman of the Year, and ASC West Division First Team. She was named American Southwest Conference West Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Shiflett, a fifth year senior, is an experienced starter as a forward and last season scored 14 goals and had 32 points. Stockton, a senior from Pflugerville, scored five goals, had seven assists and totaled 17 points for the 2001 season and is slated to start in the midfield because she keeps possession of the ball well.

Cathy Castagnos and Laura Freeman, newcomers to Hardin-Simmons, join Shiflett as forwards. Castagnos was first-team in high school and shows qualities of a fighter. Freeman has played at Cisco Junior College for two years and has gained valuable experience.

Along with Stockton, Diana Bosch, Christin Cogburn, and Ashley Lewis are all starters in the midfield. Bosch, who scored four goals and had nine assists in 2001, dominates her position. Cogburn, a co-captain this year, scored four goals and had seven assists and was named second-team All-ASC West in 2001. Both will be counted on for offense this year.

Lewis is a hard worker who steps up to challenges on the field. As for the newcomers who will challenge the starters at midfield, Veronica Villagran is a runner and a hard worker. Aimee Faulhaber is a good possession midfield player. Kala Chalman is a fast freshman that has a style that is different from the other midfielders.

Sophomore Mollie Porter, a starting defender who was named an All-ASC defender as a freshman, is extremely athletic. She will be joined by Katie Montague, who returns from a knee injury last season and sophomore Katie Bergfeld, who logged quality minutes in last year's run.

Alyssa Wester, Natalie Longhofer, M.J. Pearl, Erin Acevedo, Paige Mericle, Jacque Scott, Tori Tucker, and Rachel McOwen are all newcomers to the Cowgirl defense. Wester is a mean soccer player who dominates the middle and is a good offense player. Longhofer is a lot like Nestor, tough and mean. Pearl is fast with a good spirit who does not want to be beaten. Acevedo came from a good club soccer background and is a skillful defender. McOwen is a back up player who is a hard worker on the field.

It will be hard to improve from last season because the Cowgirls went so far into the playoffs, but this year HSU is going to try to advance further in the NCAA Tournament because of the skill level of the players and how they have connected.