Aug. 20, 2007

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons lost a lot of experience from its 2006 Elite Eight Team, but it is what returns that has the Cowgirls among the preseason favorites for a national title.

The Cowgirls, coming off an 18-1-5 season, come into the 2007 campaign ranked fourth by D3kicks.com in the preseason national poll.

A pair of sophomores return to the field for the Cowgirls in two of the most important positions as All-Americans. Forward Amy Kuykendall found the back of the net 26 times and assisted on a NCAA best 22 more goals as a freshman. She set the school record for assists last season and returns better than ever.

Sophomore goalkeeper Christi Carr returns in great physical shape after her All-American campaign as a freshman. She made a name for herself earlier in the year, but she made herself a superstar in the NCAA Tournament, when she came up huge in penalty kick advances over Puget Sound and UC-Santa Cruz. She stopped three shots in the Sweet 16 shootout over UCSC.

"Anyone who saw Christi play in the NCAA Tournament would know that she is among the nation's elite as a goalkeeper," said Wood. "Her attitude and work ethic have had a huge impact on our soccer program."

"Amy is a Thierry Henry type of player," said Wood. "She changes games. She changes the way that opponents have to play us. The scary part is that she has continued to improve in the offseason. We are all excited to see what Amy will do."

The good thing for the Cowgirls is that it will not be a two-person show. Wood has stocked the roster with athletic, talented players from front to back.

The defensive backfield is one of the best units in the country and all three starters are back. It could rival the top defenses of the past for the Cowgirls.

Laura Newbrough was a first-team all-region selection as a junior and leads one of the best defensive units in the country. The senior from Sacramento, Calif., really came into her own late last year and became a star in the playoffs. Newbrough also is good at using her 5-10 frame on set pieces. She had seven goals last season.

"By the end of 2006 Laura was playing at a different level," said Wood. " I have full confidence with Laura as the leader of our back line. Kelly Watson is the best 1 vs. 1 defender I have seen. She is very, very special. Regan Cappella is a great athlete who could play a number of positions for us. Overall we are very blessed in the backfield.

Watson and Cappella are two veterans that have played a lot of important minutes for the Cowgirls. Watson, a junior, may be the best individual defender in the conference, if not the country. She has been named All-ASC her first two seasons and was on the all-tournament team last year. Cappella has played all over the field in her first three seasons, but has settled in to the defensive backfield. She also is a huge asset serving balls forward with her big leg.

Freshman Lauren Placke will compete for playing time. She is a big, strong athlete who is great in the air. Becca Gault will also battle for playing time.

Freshman Alyssa Derrick will be the backup to Carr in the pipes.

"Alyssa has a lot of potential," said Wood. "If she can adapt strong work habits she can become a very good keeper."

The Cowgirls will have to replace some talent in the midfield, including a school and ASC record 30 goals and 13 assists from All-American Whitney Piendak.

Freshman Carlyn Powers will hit the ground running to replace Piendak as one of the center midfielders. Powers was a key member of one of the top clubs in Texas and her team won the state and regional championships, before falling just short of a national championship.

"Carlyn is playing at a very high level even for a freshman," said Wood. "We know she will hit the ground running and we know that she will be a tremendous player for us."

Several players will compete for the other center midfield position. Senior Jessica Flobeck, a starter in 2006, is a leading candidate. "When Flo is at her best, she can control the center of the field against any opponent."

Competing for the spot will also be freshman Sarah Stansell, Julie Woolverton and Kelsey Byars. "All of the freshman center midfielders are a huge part of the future of our program. How quickly they will make an impact will depend on their preparation and their desire. " Junior forward Morgan Loyd also has experience as a center mid and could see time in the midfield.

The top four candidates at outside mid are senior captain Beth Craig, junior Ali Baker, freshman Erin Low and freshman Kelsey Byars. Craig has been a starter for each of the past two seasons but tore her ACL in the ASC Tournament. Baker played a key role off the bench in 2006.

"Beth is the leader of our team," said Wood. "She helps shape the attitude and the positive atmosphere around the team. She has worked hard to prepare for a great senior year." Erin Low was the District Player of the Year at Wylie High School and is expected to make an immediate impact.

"Erin has played at a high level and we expect her to make an immediate impact. She could play several positions for us."

Several other freshmen will be in the mix at outside midfielder. Katie Allen and Allison Ray were both outstanding players in high school and should be able to compete for playing time.

Kuykendall is expected to carry a great deal of the scoring load but she will not be alone up front.

Morgan Loyd has quietly become one of the top 10 scorers in HSU history. After just two seasons she has scored 29 goals and has 16 assists. She was all-conference in each of her first two seasons.

"Morgan has been a big part of our dynamic attack in each of her first two seasons. We look for her to be a real force in 2007." Jordan Morley came on strong at the end of her freshman season and looks to win a starting spot in 2007. Morley had 11 goals and four assists as a freshman and will play a key role in the 2007 attack.

"Jordan is a playmaker. She is very creative and is a great passer of the ball. We saw some of her magic in the spring. She is ready for her turn as a starter.

Sophomores Lindsay Cogburn and Cassie Sandifer and freshman Heather Hughes will also compete for time at forward.

The Cowgirls will find out where they are early in the season when it plays Trinity in the season opener on August 31. The two have battled each other for South region supremacy for most of the last five years. The two teams have ended each other's season each of the last three years with HSU winning in 2004 and 2006 and Trinity with a win in 2006.

--- HSU --