Just two years ago, Trevecca Nazarene was on the cusp of conference championship glory after finishing second only to Ursuline. Heading into this fall, the Trojans are loaded and ready to elevate their play to the next level to get back on that coveted platform.
A 7-5-2 record in any league should typically be in the top half of the league standings, but that just wasn’t the case for TNU as it went through an increasingly rugged G-MAC schedule in 2015. Being picked fourth in the preseason coaches poll may be selling the Trojans short of what they are capable of on paper.
A pair of bookend first-team all-conference performers in Abbie Alosi and Hannah Barney returns as leaders and upperclassmen. Alosi, a senior defender, is one of just three seniors to help anchor the Trojans along with midfielders Madison Smith and Cristina Giron.
In the back, Alosi helps provide a blanket of protection for keeper Liz Denton, who finished with eight wins and a 1.24 goals against average last season. Alosi’s value to head coach Mark Foster is difficult to quantify because of the stats that defenders typically don’t accumulate in a box score.
The TNU alum and former men’s soccer standout Foster has had some unfortunate circumstances of his own to overcome recent history, citing knee surgery and appendicitis in his preseason interview, but carries infectious enthusiasm and a passion for the sport within his program.
Barney, a junior, is part a substantial and talented junior class that will look to make the next leap in their development. Many of the 10 juniors have been key contributors to this stage in their respective careers.
Diana Corzine was the team’s second-leading scorer in 2015 with 17 points (6 G, 5 A). Forward Courtney Dyler added 16 points of her own with seven goals and a pair of assists. Two more double-digit point scorers are also back with Katelyn Hutchinson and Lauren Winters.
The Trojans have plenty of returning talent, but officially lost speedy Anna Hoffman to graduation. Hoffman also doubled as a track and field student-athlete and netted 13 goals to finish sixth in the conference.
Foster was still active on the recruiting circuit, bringing in seven more freshmen for the program’s depth.
Head Coach: Mark Foster (4th season)
2015 Record (Overall): 9-7-3
2015 Record (Conference): 7-5-2
2015 All-Conference Performers: Abbie Alosi (First Team), Hannah Barney (First Team), Natalie Goetz (Second Team; All-Freshman Team)
Quotable: “Preseason is very intimidating so you think about it all summer trying to train and get ready. We have other things going on in the summer, but we know once we get here it’s soccer and getting ready for the G-MAC. I’m very thankful to have a coach who knows that winning isn’t everything, but is also passionate about the sport at the same time. We want a G-MAC Championship. We’d love to make a national appearance if that’s possible, but we’re going to give it all we’ve got to try and prove everyone wrong.”
- Trevecca Nazarene senior midfielder Madison Smith
Records Watch: Graduated senior Anna Hoffman put a dent in the career conference records, finishing her four-year tenure fifth in goals (30), fourth in games played (73) and tied for eighth in shots (138)…Junior keeper Liz Denton is currently eighth in career saves with 132 and fifth in wins with 16…Her career goals against average of 1.10 also ranks top five among all G-MAC goalies.