BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's soccer team will open the 2015 season Tuesday, September 1st in a 3 p.m. match at Austin College in Sherman.
The Cru was picked to finish third in the American Southwest Conference in the league's Preseason Poll after finishing 9-5-2 a season ago. UMHB went 6-1-2 in ASC play and advanced to the postseason for the second consecutive season under the direction of head coach
Barry Elkins.
"I am excited about this team," Elkins said. "We have a good blend of experienced upperclassmen with some very talented new players that will allow us to be dynamic but poised on the field."
Elkins returns five all-conference athletes from last season, including NSCAA All-Region and First-Team All-ASC selection
Kathryn Parker. Parker, a junior from Belton, Texas (Belton H.S.), earned the program's first all-region honor after a sophomore campaign that included a conference-high 10 assists. Parker added nine goals on 57 shots with three game-winning goals.
Charis Brantley and
Sarah Rempe also return as reigning First-Team All-ASC selections. Brantley, a junior from College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated H.S.), anchors the Crusader defense while Rempe, a sophomore from Lewisville, Texas (Hebron H.S.), is the stronghold in the Crusader midfield.
Courtney Craig and
Miranda Aleman also return after earning all-conference honors in 2014. Craig, a sophomore from Katy, Texas (Taylor H.S.), earned seven wins in the net last season, allowing just 12 goals while adding a goal and an assist of her own. Aleman, a native of Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown H.S.), returns for her junior season and plays an important role as a midfielder.
The Cru will open the season against Austin College before returning home Sept. 11
th in a 7:30 p.m. non-conference match against Hardin-Simmons at the Cru Sports Plex in Belton. The Cru will begin conference play at Belhaven University on Thursday, September 17
th. Continuing coverage of the 2015 season is available at cruathletics.com.
