OKLAHOMA CITY -- Following the most successful two-year run in program history that saw the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels average 14 victories, co-head coaches Zach Bice and Evan Dresel are banking on a mix of eight returners and 12 newcomers keeping MACU among the elite of the Sooner Athletic Conference in 2012. It helps when your returning core is led by a trio of senior all-conference selections in goalkeeper Melissa Dobie (Edmond, Okla.) and forwards Kassie Byrd (Noble, Okla.) and Julia Nimal (Owasso, Okla.). That combination has given MACU one of the most potent blends of offense and defense in the SAC the last two seasons and should keep the Lady Evangels in the thick of the conference title hunt throughout the season.
Goalkeepers
If Bice and Dresel have any concerns heading into the 2012 campaign, rest assured goalkeeper will not be one of them. Melissa Dobie's play in the net has been a catalyst for the Lady Evangels ascension within the SAC, leading the conference in shutouts (19) and saves (236) over the past two seasons that included a 569 minute scoreless streak in 2010. "We're going to need even more out of her and for her to bring another level of play," Bice said. We're excited about what she gives us and it's reassuring to have her experience in the net."
Backing up Dobie in the net this season will be Emily Galloway, a freshman from Morrison, Okla. Galloway is a versatile player that may be used in different roles this season as well.
Forwards
The return of Kassie Byrd and Julia Nimal for their senior seasons should once again give the Lady Evangels one of the top scoring duos in the SAC and the NAIA this season. Last year, Byrd and Nimal each ranked fourth and fifth in points, respectively in the SAC last season. Byrd's 41 points were the most in school history since joining the NAIA in 2008, while Nimal's 40 points represented the second-most. Byrd tallied a team-high 19 goals last year, with Nimal finishing second with 15 scores along with a team-best 10 assists. Needless to say, the pair will be counted on to continue lighting up the scoreboards at MACU Soccer Field. "We just them to play and be themselves, but from a leadership standpoint we will be looking for them to be even more influential," Bice said.
The Lady Evangels also return a pair of productive sophomores in Kaci Power (Bixby, Okla.) and Chelsea Swisher (Moore, Okla.). Swisher scored five times last season and finished second on the team with six assists, while Power also recorded five goals along with two assists. Power and Swisher were quick learners as true freshman last year and will be counted on again to take some of the scoring burden off of Byrd and Nimal. We're excited to see what Swisher will offer and expect even more from a scoring standpoint," Bice said. "Kaci will be coming off an injury so we'll hopefully have her back at some point later in the season. She ended the year really strong and her productivity increased."
Freshman Allison Aultman (Oklahoma City, Okla.) will look to provide depth at the forward position for the Lady Evangels this season.
Midfielders
As the Lady Evangels say goodbye to all-conference performer Nicole Farquhar, junior Michelle Medina returns to provide a veteran presence in the midfield this season. Medina has been a consistent contributor in her two years, recording a combined four goals and six assists over the over that span. This is also a spot that the Lady Evangels will rely on newcomers making an impact, as five freshmen and a junior transfer will all vie for playing time. The freshmen include Brianna Jezioro (Yukon, Okla.), Alex Macias (Moore, Okla.), Kayla Baldwin (Moore, Okla.) and McKenzi Burkhart (Norman, Okla.). "We think Michelle brings a great work ethic to the midfield and we're excited to see her take more of a leadership role this season," Bice said. "We also believe the newcomers have the talent to become contributors to the program this season."
Defenders
Senior Karen Moreno (Edmond, Okla.) returns to anchor a young defensive unit for the Lady Evangels in 2012. Moreno dished out one assist last year while providing a consistent defensive effort that helped the Lady Evangels record nine shutouts last year. Also returning is sophomore Michelle Roberts (Newcastle, Okla.). Roberts appeared in 15 matches last year and will look for a bigger role this season. Departing senior all-conference selection Lindsey Stephenson and Bertha Fajardo will certainly be missed, but Bice and Dresel hope a trio of incoming freshmen in Lindsey Roberts (Midwest City, Okla.), Alex Macias (Moore, Okla.) and Rachel Lynn (Moore, Okla.) will help Moreno and Roberts fill that void. "We'll be young in the backline but are happy to have an experienced senior like Karen and are also hopeful that Michelle will continue to progress the way she did last year," Bice said. "We're also looking forward to the talent and athleticism that Lindsey, Alex and Rachel will bring to the program and expect to them to make an impact right away." Freshman Mariana De La Torre (El Reno, Okla) could also vie for playing time this season.
Schedule
The Lady Evangels will open up the 2012 campaign with a three-game home stand, beginning with Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Aug. 24. This will be the third straight year that MACU has opened the season against SAGU, as the Lady Evangels have won the previous two season-openers by a combined score of 9-0. With Southern Nazarene University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma Christian University leaving the NAIA, the SAC schedule will be smaller this season and the Lady Evangels will not open up conference play until Oct. 1 at home against national power Oklahoma City University. SNU departing leaves a particularly gaping hole after finishing second in the SAC with a 10-1 league record. Even with the trimmed down conference, the SAC is once again expected to be a premier league within the NAIA.
"Our schedule will be tough as usual and we're playing a few teams we've never played before, so we're excited to get it going," Bice said.
