Jeremy Enlow

Women's Soccer 1/28/2021 1:00:00 PM

WSOC Position Preview: Defenders

From Brie Buschman to Kelsie Roberts to Chantal Kinsey to Michelle Mulrooney, the defender position for ACU soccer over the years has been filled with all-time talent. As we preview the spring of the 14th season of Wildcat soccer, we continue a four-part position preview series that breaks down the talent and expectations from each spot on the pitch. Today we look at the players who's job is to protect their end of the field. It's the defenders. And ACU has seven awesome talents in Alyssia Anuat, Hannah Gage, Emily Heidman, Ellen Joss, Laura Mauldin, Isa Sanabria, and Gabby Symmank.

Position Preview Series

As we get closer to the season, check in starting Tuesday for our Position Preview series! We'll look at each spot throughout the week!#GoWildcats | #SACRFCE pic.twitter.com/pbBxoveAH6
— ACU Soccer (@ACU_Soccer) January 25, 2021

As a coaching staff, head coach Casey Wilson, associate head coach Neal Ozmun, assistant coach Natalie Rigney, and volunteer assistant coach Aleah Dillard feel they have good experience at depth.

Losing two veteran center backs at the same time to graduation in Michelle Mulrooney and Brooke Lenz in 2019 was tough. But, having two experienced center backs returning in Gabby Symmank and Ellen Joss made the transition easier. We feel good about our experience and depth with our wing backs as well going into our spring campaign.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

Let's meet the defenders.

#26 // ALYSSIA ANUAT // 5-6 // Jr. // San Diego, Calif. // Santana HS

Honors
• All-Southland Conference Third Team (2019)
• Southland Conference Freshman of the Year (2018)
• Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll

2019
•  Started 19 games
•  Tallied an assist against McNeese on Oct. 20
•  Recorded 17 shot attempts
•  Seven of her 17 shots were placed on frame
•  Played 1,323 minutes
• Played over 100 minutes twice, against No. 22 Baylor and Stephen F. Austin

2018
•  Started all 22 games
•  Scored her first career goal at Northwestern State on Sept. 30
•  Recorded 17 shot attempts
•  Added her first career assist at home against Nicholls on Sept. 23
•  Six of her 17 shots were placed on frame
•  Played 1,661 minutes, good for fifth on the team
• Played over 100 minutes twice, against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and at Stephen F. Austin
• Became the third consecutive Freshman of the Year (Shay Johnson - 2016, Christina Arteaga, 2017)

Alyssia converted to wing back when she arrived as a freshman from the forward position. She is a dangerous attacker from the flank with her great foot skills and strong leg on shots and services.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

#21 // HANNAH GAGE // 5-10 // Fr. // Roanoke, Texas // Byron Nelson HS

2020 Fall
• Played in five games, making one start
• Recorded a shot at Texas State
• Played 54 minutes at Texas State
• Was on the field for 92 minutes vs. Louisiana Tech

High School
• Helped guide Byron Nelson HS to an area championship as a defender
• Named First Team All-District twice
• Named Honorable Mention All-District once
• Earned Academic All-District honors
• Member of the National Honor Society
• Named to the National Technical Honor Society

Hannah has benefitted from having a semester to settle in getting more comfortable playing across the back line. She has shown great composure with the ball at her feet and playing out of pressure.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

#15 // EMILY HEIDMAN // 5-6 // R-Jr. // Rowlett, Texas // Rowlett HS

Honors
• Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll

2019
• Appeared in and started 18 games, eclipsing the 1,000-minute mark for the season (1,088)
• Scored three goals on the season, all coming against Nicholls on Sept. 27, becoming the first Wildcat in the DI era to record a hat trick
• Recorded 38 shot attempts, placing 18 on frame

2018
• Appeared in 13 games off the bench, tallying 137 minutes of playing time, including a season-best 29 minutes against McNeese
• Scored her first career goal at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 9
• Registered four shots on the season, including a pair in the win over UAPB

2017
• Redshirted

Emily made the switch from forward to wing back in the fall which has proven to be a good move for this team. Emily is a great athlete who loves to attack the goal along with being a great defender.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

#3 // ELLEN JOSS // 5-10 // Jr. // Louisville, Ky. // Christian Academy of Louisville // Lipscomb

2020 Fall
• Played in all five matches, making four starts
• Scored the game-winning goal at Texas State in overtime
• Recorded three shot attempts, all of them on goal

2018-19 (Lipscomb)
• Spent two seasons at Lipscomb University
• Was a member of the 2018 ASUN Conference Champions
• Lipscomb went to the 2018 NCAA Round of 32
• Was a member of the 2019 ASUN Conference Champions
• Lipscomb went to the 2019 NCAA Tournament

Ellen transferred here in January 2020 enabling her to gain some great experience getting acclimated for this spring. She has shown great defensive composure with the ability to handle the ball well at her feet.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

#27 // LAURA MAULDIN // 5-6 // Jr. // McKinney, Texas // McKinney Boyd HS

Honors
• Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll

2019
• Played in 14 games off the bench, registering 322 total minutes
• Tallied six shot attempts, placing a pair on frame

2018
• Played in 15 games, registering 246 minutes, including a season-high 38 minutes at Central Arkansas
• Scored her lone goal in that game at UCA, and added an assist at Sam Houston State
• Registered 10 shot attempts, placing 3 on frame

Laura moved to the backline this past fall from the forward position. She is a fierce and fast defender who is not afraid to win balls out of the air.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

#8 // ISA SANABRIA // 5-8 // Sr. // The Woodlands, Texas // The Woodlands College Park HS

Honors
• Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll

2019
• Played in 17 games making four starts, tallying 563 minutes on the season
• Recorded two shot attempts

2018
• Played in 17 games making four starts, tallying 678 total minutes including a season-high 73 minutes against UTEP
• Tallied one shot attempt against Incarnate Word

2017
• Appeared in all 20 matches for the Wildcats recording 791 minutes with a season high 59 against McNeese at the Southland Conference Tournament
• Had one assist vs. Central Arkansas
• Put nine shots on goal with two against both Central Arkansas and McNeese

Isa is a three-year veteran who has been part of our team’s success during her tenure at wingback. She anticipates the ball well on defense and has the speed to get up the field on the attack.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

#9 // GABBY SYMMANK // 5-6 // Sr. // McKinney, Texas // McKinney Boyd HS

Honors
• Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll

2019
• Played in nine games off the bench
• Recorded two shot attempts, both on frame

2018
• Played in 12 games off the bench, tallying 330 total minutes including a season-high 77 against UTRGV
• Tallied four shot attempts, placing two on frame

2017
• Appeared in 16 matches with seven starts
• Had one shot on goal against Houston Baptist
• Took one corner kick vs. North Texas
• Finished the season with 841 minutes played and a season high 90 three times against UTSA, Nicholls and Lamar

Gabby is a veteran defender playing all across the back line the past three years. She is a stout defender with a strong leg with a lot of confidence with the ball at her feet.

Head Coach Casey Wilson

The Wildcats open their spring season on Friday, Feb. 5. And no doubt the forwards will have a lot to do with the success of the team in 2021. We can't wait to watch it.

2020-21 Schedule: First Four Games