University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Women’s Soccer Reports for 2017 Season
08.03.2017 | Women's Soccer
First Preseason Practice Photo Gallery (Facebook)
Big South Conference Official Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – With preseason matches set to begin in four days, the UNC Asheville women's soccer team reported to campus on Wednesday to prepare for the first preseason match against Western Carolina on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.
"I'm excited that we essentially bring everybody back. We lost a key target striker and a player that gave us good minutes off the bench, so despite losing those two, we have a feeling we can pick up where we left off," head coach Michelle Demko said.
The Bulldogs return eight starters and 18 letterwinners from last season. Highlighting the returners are Emma Houser and Caroline Houser. Emma Houser was named to the Big South Conference Second Team All-Conference. The rising senior started 19 games last year while netting three goals. Caroline Houser was tabbed Big South Honorable Mention All-Conference as a forward. She tallied 14 points last season including a team-leading eight assists.
Ellie Stone, Katie Tuorto, Bella Iorio and Rachel Snyder also return from last year's squad where all four Bulldogs appeared in all 20 games. Stone recorded 1,687 minutes on the pitch last season and recorded a pair of goals on seven shots. Tuorto played nearly every minute last year with 1,695 minutes as a defender. Iorio and Snyder each recorded an assist while accumulating over 1,000 minutes.
"Under the guidance of the six seniors, I have seen the direction of the program going the right way. I think the senior leadership has made an improvement to this entire program," Demko said.
Demko inked eight newcomers to the new season including the third set of twins: Meghan and Rachel Bewick. Also joining them as true freshmen are Bryson Lee, Emily Dueñas, Skyler Chillson, Grace Kwiatkowski and Rachel Golden. Pfeiffer University transfer Ryanna Hammond looks to add experience at the midfield position for Asheville.
"We are going to see an immediate impact with these new players. Skyler has the threat of being an impact player up top, and Bryson will make an immediate impact in goal. As a whole, it is a really hungry and young group," said Demko.
Also announced by the league offices on Wednesday, the Bulldogs were predicted to finish seventh in the Big South Conference. Asheville accumulated 44 points including receiving a fourth-place vote.
Liberty was predicted to finish first as the Flames tallied 98 total points including eight first place votes. High Point was slotted second with 92 points and two first place votes.
Liberty's senior forward Jennifer Knoebel was announced the Preseason Attacking Player of the Year while High Point senior goalkeeper Alex Hank was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
For the full preseason predictions and preseason awards, click here, and to view the entire 2017 women's soccer schedule, click here.
Big South Conference Official Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – With preseason matches set to begin in four days, the UNC Asheville women's soccer team reported to campus on Wednesday to prepare for the first preseason match against Western Carolina on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.
"I'm excited that we essentially bring everybody back. We lost a key target striker and a player that gave us good minutes off the bench, so despite losing those two, we have a feeling we can pick up where we left off," head coach Michelle Demko said.
The Bulldogs return eight starters and 18 letterwinners from last season. Highlighting the returners are Emma Houser and Caroline Houser. Emma Houser was named to the Big South Conference Second Team All-Conference. The rising senior started 19 games last year while netting three goals. Caroline Houser was tabbed Big South Honorable Mention All-Conference as a forward. She tallied 14 points last season including a team-leading eight assists.
Ellie Stone, Katie Tuorto, Bella Iorio and Rachel Snyder also return from last year's squad where all four Bulldogs appeared in all 20 games. Stone recorded 1,687 minutes on the pitch last season and recorded a pair of goals on seven shots. Tuorto played nearly every minute last year with 1,695 minutes as a defender. Iorio and Snyder each recorded an assist while accumulating over 1,000 minutes.
"Under the guidance of the six seniors, I have seen the direction of the program going the right way. I think the senior leadership has made an improvement to this entire program," Demko said.
Demko inked eight newcomers to the new season including the third set of twins: Meghan and Rachel Bewick. Also joining them as true freshmen are Bryson Lee, Emily Dueñas, Skyler Chillson, Grace Kwiatkowski and Rachel Golden. Pfeiffer University transfer Ryanna Hammond looks to add experience at the midfield position for Asheville.
"We are going to see an immediate impact with these new players. Skyler has the threat of being an impact player up top, and Bryson will make an immediate impact in goal. As a whole, it is a really hungry and young group," said Demko.
Also announced by the league offices on Wednesday, the Bulldogs were predicted to finish seventh in the Big South Conference. Asheville accumulated 44 points including receiving a fourth-place vote.
Liberty was predicted to finish first as the Flames tallied 98 total points including eight first place votes. High Point was slotted second with 92 points and two first place votes.
Liberty's senior forward Jennifer Knoebel was announced the Preseason Attacking Player of the Year while High Point senior goalkeeper Alex Hank was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
For the full preseason predictions and preseason awards, click here, and to view the entire 2017 women's soccer schedule, click here.
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