Lethbridge - A veteran-laden Pronghorn team returns for the 2014 season and sets their sights on ascension up the standings, after spending the 2013 season at the bottom of the Canada West women's soccer standings.
The 'Horns open season on the road traveling to face the Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary, before wrapping up the opening weekend of the season Sunday versus the CIS third ranked and defending Canada West Champion Alberta Pandas. Kick-off for both games is scheduled for 12:00pm.
The 'Horns return 14 players from last season and have added both youth and experience in the five new additions for this season.
Following an injury redshirt season, Shannon Clark returns for her final season and will lead an experienced back line with fellow senior Keagan Moch and fourth-year standout Kim Shellenberg. Since her arrival six years ago, Clark has always been a key to the 'Horns defence.
The Horns defensive group received another boost this season with the return of local product Jensen Forbes. Forbes played 15 games as a freshman at the University of North Dakota before transferring back to her hometown.
After scoring the second fewest goals in the conference last season and being shutout six times in 12 games, the addition of college transfer Kayla Blacquiere should bolster the 'Horns attack along with sophomore speedster Meaghan Welby and junior striker Danielle Lagemaat.
Last season with Red Deer College in the ACAC, Blacquiere scored eight goals in 10 games.
In the middle of the field, veterans Kayla Wurzer and Steph Groten will be heavily counted on to lead the 'Horns counter-attack.
Three years into their Canada West journey the Cougars are finally primed for a push into the playoffs. In 2013-14, the Cougars posted three wins and hung in there with some of the top teams in the nation. They played the top teams from Victoria and Trinity Western very closely losing by only one and two goals respectively.
For the Cougars to make the next step they will have to starting filling the net. They only scored 10 goals in 12 games last season. Six of those goals were provided by their star midfielder Kelsey Kinzer who was a force down the middle of the field last season. Other marquee players Karlee Hodl and captain Kristin Deeks will be counted on to help carry the load this season.
For the Pandas, they enter the 2014 season with a target firmly placed on their backs as reigning Canada West champions. With 13 returning players, including five starters and the defending conference MVP, the Pandas are well placed to be playoff contenders once again.
Alberta earned a 9-1-2 record last season, in large part thanks to the second best offence in the conference, an offence that found the back of the opponent's net 34 times in 12 conference games. Coupled with just 10 goals against, Alberta was one of the best teams in CIS soccer last season. After racking up a 3-0 record in the Canada West playoffs, including the gold medal victory, the Pandas went on to earn CIS bronze at the national championship tournament in Toronto.
-30-
