2000 Mississippi State Soccer Outlook
May 25, 2016 | Soccer
One can sense the eagerness of head soccer coach Neil McGuire, as he looks over the newly renovated Mississippi State soccer lockerroom. The anticipation of player arrival, after a very successful spring, has only added to the coaching staff's excitement over the past couple of months.
"The strength of this team will be in the desire to show people they are no longer a team that can be taken for granted," McGuire said. "Our spring season is justification that our team chemistry has improved tremendously. These ladies continually work every day to improve team chemistry, because they recognize it is the foundation for championship-winning teams."
The offseason began a new era to Mississippi State soccer as McGuire, who spent last year helping a young Arizona State program rise into the top 30 rankings, was named as the head coach of the Bulldogs. In an attempt to add another winning tradition to the Mississippi State athletic stable, less than a month later, McGuire added to his cavalry by naming his assistants. They are Jennie Altherr, a product of the 1987 North Carolina national championship squad, and Scott Ebke, coming from a consistent top five program in the University of Nebraska.
The trio, in addition to consistently recruiting some of the nation's most premier players, have spent a better part of the offseason attempting to give a new look to the Mississippi State program. It is a look that McGuire, along with his two assistants, hopes will change the course the program was locked on. "I think the fact they are now enjoying themselves in soccer is a big strength. They want to train every day, as they, too, are very excited about the future," McGuire said. "That's so pleasing for us as a coaching staff that we have players who are intrinsically motivated and who want to work. They are very hungry to learn all they possibly can."
As McGuire heads into year one of his presence in Starkville, he does so with a nucleus of returning players. It is a core that, according to McGuire, has already expressed interest in changing the future of Mississippi State soccer starting now.
"I believe the entire thought process changed during the spring season," McGuire said. "I think the leadership of our seven seniors is very good now. I also believe they will want to improve on the results of the past. With them now taking responsibility and ownership, it will make the focus of the team much, much better."
The strength of the 2000 Mississippi State squad could lie in one of two areas of the pitch. The Bulldogs return a pair of experienced goalkeepers in senior Kirstin Olson and sophomore Stephanie Lyon. Olson, whose strength lies in her ability to start the transition offense, saw action in all but one contest last season. She finished the season with 130 saves, good enough for a runner-up finish in the Southeastern Conference. Lyon's ability is not in question either. The freshman shot-stopper started and played the entire match with nationally-ranked Kentucky. She limited the high-scoring Wildcats to just a pair of goals, while tallying 10 saves. Both will be pushed by Arkansas-Little Rock transfer Kate Ellmo who, as a freshman, was an Honorable Mention All-Missouri Valley Conference player with 134 saves. "As with any other position on the field, there is going to be competition amongst our goalkeepers," McGuire said. "It is all dependent on who comes out of the gate first. There is no starting goalkeeper right now. The one who comes back in the best shape and the best mental focus will likely be the starter once the season starts."
Mississippi State returns a strong core of midfielders, along with a talented bevy of freshmen looking to push for a starting role in 2000. Leading the charge in the midfield is Annemarie Pimentel who has been a vital part of the Mississippi State offense over the course of the past three years. Senior central midfielder Beth Dreher saw action in every contest last season and gained valuable experience. Lauren Hall, the 1998 Team Most Valuable Player, played a myriad of matches as a marking back last season, but has been moved forward to the flank mid position to better utilize her speed and playmaking abilities. Charleston Platt, who ranks in the top 10 among Mississippi State's career scoring leaders, returns to the team after missing last season.
All could be pushed by a handful of incoming freshmen. Belgium national team standout Elke D'Hollander has earned 15 caps for her squad, while gaining a wealth of international playing experience. Mississippi native Kristen Selman, as well as Crystal Christensen and Jocelyn McNeely will all push for playing time as well. "I think the core of our team is in the midfield. We've added athleticism and a more explosiveness in with the players we have recruited."
Mississippi State will use its experience, along with its wealth of newcomer talent, to better utilize its frontline. The Bulldogs return a pair of experienced starters from the 1999 campaign. Sophomore Jessica Kauffman saw action in every match for the Bulldogs and finished the season as the team's second-leading scorer. Junior Stacey Smith, who already possesses collegiate experience after participating with the team during spring workouts, adds speed and skill to an ever-improving State frontline. Plenty of depth will be available at the striker position as the Bulldogs add Miami speedster Michelle Provenzano, Oklahoma native Leslie Nickles and Albuquerque, N.M., product Sam Schwenke to its arsenal. All three will push to secure starting roles in their rookie campaigns. "I think you will find, traditionally worldwide in soccer, that strikers tend to be the younger athletes. So I'm not overly concerned with the fact they are young," McGuire said. "I think we do have some quality strikers. We just need to make sure they get the ball in the right places. The role of the midfield is crucial to our success."
Defensively, Mississippi State is loaded with personnel. Defenders Sam Corker, Lynda Henry, Brandi White and Jessica Wells all return from last year's squad to help solidify a very impressive depth chart. None of them played in less than 18 matches last season, with Wells possessing the most experience after leading the Bulldogs in minutes played (1,787), missing out on just 13 minutes of the entire campaign.
Adding to the strength of the defensive depth chart will be the addition of six newcomers, including North Carolina State transfer Alex Hutton. Amber Meesey, Kristen Benefield, Becca Edwards, Mary Fisher Patterson and Amber Rose will also add a healthy contribution to the Bulldogs' stop unit. The extreme depth will help McGuire alter the strategy of the defensive unit this season. "I certainly think defense is going to be a focal point of our program," said McGuire. "I believe championship teams are built on great defense. We do have a number of returners who will continue to give us stability there. We think some of the incoming freshmen are also going to help us."
With the exception of late season road matchups with Georgia and Tennessee, Mississippi State will play a bulk of its conference schedule on or in close proximity to its home turf. Both 1999 SEC divisional champions, Florida in the SEC East and Mississippi in the SEC West, will make their way to Starkville. Conference foes Arkansas, LSU and South Carolina all will make their way to central Mississippi to play on State's home field this season.
Three early-season tournaments against quality competition will highlight a tough schedule away from the home pitch. Mississippi State will make one of two trips to Tuscaloosa, Ala., in early September to take part in the Bama Classic against both Miami (Fla.) and Jacksonville State. They will follow that up in successive weekends by taking trips to the Arkansas-Little Rock-hosted Soccer Etc. Classic and the Furman-hosted Umbro Challenge, respectively.
"I think our schedule has a lot of games where we should be competitive," McGuire said. "Our program is in a situation where we need to have success. These games give us an opportunity to be successful, but only if we do the right things. Certainly, these teams are going to be working very hard to be competitive against us as well.
"We feel like we had a lot of development during the spring, and that should lead up to, hopefully, a more successful season. Our goal this season is to be competitive in every match we play in."
