The Alderson Broaddus women’s soccer program will be looking to return to the postseason again after exiting in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament to end last season.
The Battlers would like to conquer the quarterfinals and move on to the semis as Cristian Materazzi prepares the program entering his third year as head coach.
AB fell in three straight to close out the regular season, but had marquee league wins as a feather in its cap against Trevecca Nazarene and Ursuline throughout the fall.
Even though the Arrows edged out the Battlers in the G-MAC Championship, the program is ready to keep pushing forward with the next step in its development.
AB is picked seventh in this year’s preseason coaches poll, but the potential and experience is there to surpass expectations.
Two all-conference performers will be missed, including last year’s leading goal scorer Lauren Small (8 G, 4 A). A key defender in Britney Wildish (3 A) has also moved on, meaning Materazzi will be looking to others to step up. Goalkeeper Tayler Garcia logged the majority of minutes behind the net and is another key piece of the defense to be replaced.
Forward Brittany Minor helps comprise a veteran group of seven seniors and could emerge as an all-conference force in her final season. Minor scored five goals and assisted on three others as a junior. She also had three game-winning scores.
Chanel Nkounkou had nine points on three goals and three assists in just seven games started. Senior Caitlin Forest started 16 of the team’s 19 games in 2015. The Battlers had 14 different players score at least one goal last season.
Erin Massey played a total of 87 minutes as a keeper last season, appearing in three total games. Either Massey or Nicole Martin will be the Battlers’ starter on opening day.
AB’s non-conference schedule was loaded with some tough Midwest Region teams last year. This season features a different wrinkle with Fairmont State and Seton Hill on the schedule along with Salem International twice.
Head Coach: Cristian Materazzi (3rd season)
2015 Record (Overall): 7-12-0
2015 Record (Conference): 6-8-0
2015 All-Conference Performers: Lauren Small (Second Team), Britney Wildish (Second Team),
Quotable: “We need to put any fears aside coming into this season and just show everyone what we have, not only to everyone else, but to ourselves. I’m excited to be playing with a bunch of talented young women. As a senior, it’s exciting this preseason to see everyone give it all on the field and I can’t wait to see how this season goes.”
- Alderson Broaddus senior forward Chanel Nkounkou
Records Watch: Last year’s starting goalkeeper Tayler Garcia ranks seventh all-time in conference history in saves with 143…She also ranks seventh in wins (12) and eighth in saves per game (3.76)…Her five career shutouts is tied for seventh among all league players.