Millsaps College Athletics

JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps College Women’s Soccer team looks to continue their winning ways in 2010. Coming off a second-consecutive .500 or better season (8-8-3 in 2009 and 13-7 in 2008) the Majors look to build upon their success.

It will not be easy as they must move forward without two-time all region player and third all-time leading scorer Leslie Robichaux and two-time First Team All-SCAC selection Meredith Harris who both graduated in the Spring. However, with 21 returning letter winners and 12 newcomers the Majors believe they will again be successful in 2010.

Returning to lead the defense that allowed a paltry 1.05 goals per game last season will be senior goalie Sarah Nelin and senior defender Challaghan Starrett. They are joined by returning starters junior Holly Warren and sophomore central defender Margaret Eggers. Junior Courtney Sykes may move back to defense from the midfield where she started and played significant minutes last fall. Other returning defenders competing for playing time will be Lindsey Fontaine, Maddie Ortega, Caitlyn Page, and Ashley Scales. Junior goalie Molly Beth Jourdan rounds out the returning defensive corp.

With Robichaux gone, the Majors will need to find their scoring punch elsewhere. While they expect several players to pick up the burden, senior forward Hayley Nemeth looks to lead this group. Joining her will be Junior Laura Grey and sophomore Dora Lambert. Other returning players Anne Waldrop, Sara Millington, and Haley Hesdorffer will be vying for playing time along with several talented newcomers.

With an inexperienced crew of attackers, much of the offensive firepower will need to come from the midfield. Senior Emily Townsend will start for her third straight season along with junior Jessica Harris. Harris will need to return to the scoring ways of her freshman season (seven goals and nine assists) for the Majors to find the net consistently. Sophomore Susan Harmon will have to recover from an injury- slowed first season and summer surgery before she can contribute. Opportunities will be plentiful for the first year players to find significant roles in the midfield.

With a good blend of returning veterans and talented newcomers the Majors are optimistic they can post a third-successive .500 or better season for the first time in school history.