University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Women's Soccer Opens Season Against Clemson at Home on Friday
08.27.2009 | Women's Soccer
The Bulldogs went 5-13-1 last year and have never beaten the Lady Tigers in nine previous attempts. However, this is the first time Clemson has ever visited Greenwood Field.
"We're excited about a team like Clemson coming to play us at home," commented UNC Asheville coach Michele Cornish. "I think it has helped motivate us during the summer and preseason conditioning to be ready to play."
Cornish's club hopes to much better than last year's frustrating campaign. The Bulldogs lost seven one-goal matches in 2008.
"We were in most of our matches last season but just didn't get the job done in one-goal matches," stated Cornish. "We've been good in that area over the years but last season things just didn't go our way at times.
"We simply need to be more consistent throughout matches," added Cornish. "We need to play hard for 90 minutes and find ways to win matches."
The Bulldogs scrimmaged once during the preseason and defeated Carson-Newman 2-0 behind two goals from McKenna Stockhausen.
Stockhausen heads up a senior class that is determined to have a great year. The Bulldogs will have seniors on the field in 2009.
"I like our senior class. They were freshmen when we won the Big South title and learned from that senior class," commented Cornish.
Stockhausen is Asheville's leading returning scorer from last season as she tallied four goals and had five assists for 13 points. Also back is senior goalkeeper Veronica Lazar who has been the starter for much of the past three season. She has 10 career shutouts to her credit. Senior defender Keri Skelton will lead the Bulldog defense.
The Bulldogs were blitzed at Clemson last season, 8-0. However, the last time an ACC team played at Greenwood Field Asheville picked up a win. Back in 1996, Wake Forest fell to the Bulldogs 2-0. The Deacons would advance to the NCAA Tournament that year and get to the "Sweet 16."
