Wilson anxious to get started
8/9/2010 4:57:09 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE – Prior to the 2009 season, ACU soccer coach Casey Wilson believed his team was primed to make a run at its first NCAA tournament berth.
But injuries before and during the season left the Wildcats with a meager offense and a solid defense. ACU scored just 23 goals on the season, was shut out six times and 13 times in 19 matches scored one goal or less.
The defense, however, gave up just 22 goals and recorded six shutouts and held 11 opponents to one goal or less.
Wilson, however, believes his 2010 team – which reports Sunday and begins practice on Monday – is a more complete team, even with the loss of all-conference performers in Jordan Reese (forward), Crissy Lawson (goalkeeper) and defender Alyson Thomas.
ACU will also be without the services of forward Lyndsey Womack, who will redshirt this season after suffering an off-season knee injury. However, Wilson will welcome back a fully healthy Anastasia Nelson, Ashley Holton, Krista Grimm and Julie Coppedge, as well as senior standout Courtney Wilson.
"I really believe we've got a more complete and well-rounded team this year," Wilson said. "I believed that last year, but then we lost Anastasia and Ashley before we even got started, and that took two key players away from us, one on defense (Nelson) and one on offense (Holton).
"With those girls back, and with the incoming freshmen class, we'll have a balanced attack and a solid defense," Wilson said. "I'm excited to get going and see what unfolds for this team."
The Wildcats will get their season started Thursday, Sept. 2, when they take on Colorado-Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, Colo.
