2008 University of Houston Soccer Team Season Preview

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 19, 2008) The 2008 University of Houston soccer team enters the upcoming season with high hopes and appears poised for a breakout season in Conference USA.Coming off a challenging 4-12-2 season that saw its share of struggles, one might expect the Cougars to face the upcoming season with a sense of uncertainty or reservation.

But second-year head coach Susan Bush has brought in a talented crop of exciting, young players as she continues to build what could become a powerhouse program for years to come in C-USA.

"My goal is simple," Bush said. "I want to create a positive and winning atmosphere at UH where our players continually improve their abilities on and off the field.

"The University's campus, facilities and personnel are among the best in the nation. There's no reason why this program should not compete on a national level.

"We have added depth, speed and athleticism for the 2008 campaign. We have a good mix with nine returning starters and eight returning players who could all make an immediate impact this year."

Bush looks forward to the 2008 campaign with great optimism, knowing her team will outwork their opponents each game day.

"This season, our fundamental goal is to play as a unit and outwork our opponents," Bush said. "This style of play is about mentality and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get a result."

The Defensive Third

Senior captain goalkeeper Shelby Scott returns to anchor the Cougars' defense. Scott has great reactions in goal and is a great shot stopper.

Last season, Scott posted 122 saves as she went on to break the school's all-time record with 225 career saves. Scott also tied the program's record with eight clean sheets after posting four shutouts a year ago.

Freshman Lauren Frazier will likely be the team's backup in goal. She is athletic, fearless and is excellent with her feet.

The defensive backline for Houston will be highlighted by junior Stephanie Beyelia, sophomore Jessica Rathweg and sophomore Brittany Cannon.

The trio helped lead the Cougars to four shutouts last season, including an impressive outing in which they held the mighty LSU Tigers scoreless at Robertson Stadium.

Joining them in the back are senior Maegan Kiphart and freshmen Ashlee Briggerman and Stephanie Derieg.

Kiphart is a composed distributor of the ball and has the defensive presence to win the 50/50 balls. Briggerman and Derieg are both versatile defenders who aren't afraid to move up on the attack.

The Midfield

In what appears to be one of the strengths of the club, the Cougars should have a very dynamic midfield with great speed, capable of helping lead the team's offensive attack.

Christine Nieva, Islara Rodriguez and Nikki Echeverria will form the heart of this unit and will look to be more aggressive on the attack.

All three are crafty players who handle the ball with great precision. Their speed and vision on the field will help launch counter-attacks and set up the forwards in front of the goal.

Junior transfer Kaitlin Thulin will provide an instant offensive spark to the lineup. Expect much of the Cougar offense to go through Thulin, whether she plays in the midfield or up top at forward.

Fellow freshmen Ryan Bruz and Riley Canfield will provide some much needed depth to the midfield with their playmaking abilities.

The Forwards

Sophomore Lauri Byrne returns up front for the Cougars. Byrne is a dynamic offensive player and, with the addition of offensively minded players around her, should be on the brink of a breakout season.

A year ago Byrne led UH in assists, total scoring and shots taken, while tying for the club lead in goals scored, earning a spot on the C-USA All-Freshman Team.

Joining Byrne up top will be freshman Jessica Zavalza. Zavalza should add speed and athleticism to the front line. She is a crafty striker who has a knack for finding a way to put the ball in the net.

Look for Zavalza to challenge for the team lead in scoring this year.Senior Lynn Baker also will challenge for playing time at forward. A goalkeeper her first two seasons at UH, Baker moved into the field last year.

Baker is a strong player who has the size to be a target in front of the goal on set pieces.

Fellow senior Brittney Pfeiffer will also see time at forward. She has great size to win 50-50 balls and brings a hard working mentality to the lineup.

The Schedule

The Cougars open their 2008 season at home against UTSA on Aug. 22 at Robertson
Stadium.

From there they head to Sam Houston State on Aug. 29 before returning home to face Stephen F. Austin at the Carl Lewis International Track Complex on Aug. 31.

Houston then faces Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 5 before embarking on a tough four-game road trip where they face Texas, LSU, Texas State and Baylor.

UH returns home to open conference play when they take on Marshal and East Carolina on Sept. 26 and Sept. 28, respectively. They then face Tulsa and SMU the next weekend before leaving on the team's second four-game road swing.

The Cougars face Memphis, UAB, Southern Miss and UCF before returning to Robertson Stadium to square off against UTEP on Nov. 24.

Houston travels to face Colorado College for its last road game of the season before coming home to face crosstown rival Rice in the season finale on Nov. 31.

The C-USA Championship will be held just across town at the Rice Soccer Stadium on Nov. 5 to Nov. 9.