Malone University will be looking to make a statement in year one of full membership with the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and the sport of women’s soccer is no exception.
The Pioneers’ somewhat surprising slot in the preseason coaches poll is probably due to several unknowns as the league welcomes in a new member institution.
Despite being picked sixth out of eight in the poll, don’t be surprised if Malone is in the top half of the G-MAC standings by the end of the regular season this fall. One game of note from 2015 was Malone’s double-overtime victory vs. G-MAC regular-season champ Davis & Elkins in the first week of the season.
Malone qualified for the GLIAC Tournament in 2015, beating Walsh to close the regular season and make the playoffs. The program is on the rise under the watchful eye of fourth-year head coach Josh Jones.
The Pioneers were on the short end of several really close games in regulation in overtime, decisive outcomes that could have been the difference for a season at or above .500.
Starting the new year in Florida, although it may be the peak heat of the summer, will be a great way for the team to get acclimated with each other and build early chemistry against Pace and Spring Hill.
Only a total of four seniors were lost to graduation. But the core goal scorers are back and the Pioneers are aiming to spread around more of the point production from the rest of the roster.
Senior forward Christine Najjar and senior midfielder/forward Brianna Smith both finished with double-digit goals. To put that in perspective where the duo would have ranked in the G-MAC last season, Najjar would tie for seventh and Smith would have tied for 10th.
Goalkeeping will be an open competition in camp with McKenzie Chappell and Haleigh Seman vying for the starting nod on opening day.
This is a program trending upward. Thirteen new freshmen are on the roster and some should be a factor for immediate playing time. The Pioneers were in most games last year and just need to tidy it up on the defensive end and not allow defense to zone in on the top two offensive threats.
Head Coach: Josh Jones (4th season)
2015 Record (Overall): 7-12-0
2015 Record (Conference): 5-7-0 (GLIAC)
2015 All-Conference Performers: Christine Najjar (Second Team), Brianna Smith (Honorable Mention)
Quotable: “I have really big expectations for us in the G-MAC, especially with our freshman class that’s come in and everyone is getting used to the style of play. I think we’re going to come out do really well. We want to make the conference tournament again and decrease goals against us and diversify who’s scoring. I want to be a better leader for us (as a senior captain) and really help the girls be comfortable and have a good season overall. ”
- Malone senior midfielder/forward Brianna Smith
Records Watch: The Pioneers will be able to impact the single-season conference records immediately upon entrance into the G-MAC…Career records will take some time for four-year stats to accumulate, but with a group of 13 freshmen this year, look for some of their names to eventually join at the top of several statistical categories.