by Derek Davis
Daily Lobo
The predictions are out, the expectations are set and the season is ready to begin for the UNM women's soccer team.
The Lobos will begin their campaign against Texas Tech in Lubbock this Friday, followed by a Sunday afternoon date in Norman, Okla. against the Sooners of the University of Oklahoma.
UNM head coach Kit Vela will head a team that returns nine starters who finished last year with a 12-8-1 record. Vela and her staff have the task of integrating a young team with the experience of their nine veterans.
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In net the Lobos will look to enjoy the trustworthy hands and leadership of first team All-Mountain West Conference goalkeeper Kristen Winters. Last year, Winters posted a 1.46 goals against average, including 10 shutouts. For the team to be successful, Winters must be as good as, if not better than, last year - especially against conference opponents.
The defensive third will also retain the services of junior Deidre Devault and senior Clare Pollock. These two players must unify the back, while supporting the midfield on the rush.
The key for the back line will be not to get sucked into the midfield play too far. Counterattacks induced by over-anxious play from defenders could test Winters' ability in goal a little too often. However, all the tools are in place for a dominating defense.
The burden of controlling the flow of play will fall on the shoulders of juniors Rachael Addison and LeAnne Hendren, as well as senior Erchen Theys.
The forwards up front lack senior experience, but make up for it in talent. Coco D'Angelo and Laura Hafner, both juniors, are speedy and talented and will be relied upon to demonstrate their skills.
Vela has a wealth of youthful talent at her disposal to fill any voids. Her team boasts of 10 incoming freshmen and eight sophomores.
The program's future is reflected in the team's youth. Don't tell that to the veterans, though, because this season has the potential to be the best in years.
The MWC coach's preseason poll places UNM third in the conference, behind BYU and top-ranked Utah. It is the highest preseason ranking the Lobos have ever earned.
UNM will take a trip to Utah Oct. 9-11, to face the Cougars and the Utes, respectively. These competitions will provide a good measurement of where Vela's team stands. What looks like a bad scheduling break for UNM might prove to be an advantage come tournament time.
The BYU and Utah games will also measure the Lobo's poise and execution against strong teams on the road. The MWC tournament will be at Salt Lake City this year, so the Utah game will essentially be a warm-up for the tournament. The Lobos will play the Utes, in virtually the same weather, same city and same fields, only a month before the season is on the line.
But fans will have to wait to see the Lobos in action until the home opener on Sept. 12 at the UNM Soccer Complex against Northern Colorado.
The game against UNC marks one of only six home games for UNM, including three conference games against Wyoming, UNLV and San Diego State.
