ANGOLA, IND.-- The Trine women's soccer team will open the season this Friday night at the Franklin Invitational Soccer Tournament against the host Grizzlies.
The Thunder return 13 players from last season's squad, and were picked to finish ninth in the MIAA in the league's preseason poll this season. Trine lost just one senior off last season's squad and will be looking to improvement from a returning core, as well as contributions from a number of freshman to move up the conference standings.
Skyler Reed (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) led Trine in scoring a year ago and returns to anchor the Thunder midfielders. Reed scored three goals and dished out three assists last season. Eleni Agelopolous (Munster, Ind./Munster), Jamie McCarrell (Jackson, Mich./Jackson), Katie Gokey (Seville, Ohio/Cloverlead) and Summer Pattison (Cedar Lake, Ind./Hanover Central) also bring experience to the midfield group. Nine freshman midfielders will also look to make an impact in the group.
Jami Patterson (Argos, Ind./Argos) leads the attack after scoring two goals in her freshman campaign. Kayla Case (Olivet, Mich./Olivet) and Sloan Davis (Olivet, Mich./Olivet) also bring experience to the forward group. Freshman Schae Brandt (Battle Creek, Mich./Harper Creek) will also join the attackers this season.
Seniors Amy Williams (Garrett, Ind./Northrop), Trisha King (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold) and Kara Franks (Smithville, Ohio/Smithville) each bring over 40 career starts to Trine's defensive backfield. King also brings some offense to the defender group, with five career goals to her credit. Kassandra Ellsworth (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) also returns as an experienced back. Sophomore Meghan Ulrich (Saline, Mich./Saline) and six freshman also factor into the defensive efforts.
Freshmen Karrie Keating (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson) and Kristina Veljovic (Valaraiso, Ind./Washington Township) are in the mix for time at goalkeeper. Davis has also played keeper in the past, with 26 starts and over 3,300 career minutes in goal.
The season opens Friday night at Franklin at 8:00 p.m. The Thunder continue play in the Franklin Invitational Saturday when they face Rose-Hulman at 5:00 p.m.
The complete schedule can be viewed HERE.