SHERMAN, Texas - A new era begins for the Austin College women's soccer program, as the 'Roos welcome head coach Kevin Gregory and assistant coach Jaya Wilson for the 2022 campaign.
The 'Roos return a strong core of returning players as they enter the new season, with Gregory's squad featuring seven players who saw action in at least 11 games a year ago. Austin College will need to replace some important pieces from last year's graduating class, including All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference players Meredith Harris and Sydney Padget as well as four-year starter Chloe Towler, but the 'Roos will be bringing back a number of key players.
While Harris started nine games in goal and played in 12 matches overall, Gregory will be able to turn to a pair of goalkeepers who each saw action in their first years with the program in Heaven Barber and Kenedie Lane. Lane played in nine games, starting six, while Barber saw time in three matches a season ago. The duo combined for more than 500 minutes in goal, with Lane making 61 saves while Barber had 17 stops in her freshman campaign.
Among the other returners are senior Shelby Smith and defender Sarah Davis, who bolster the Austin College defense as multi-year contributors. Smith has appeared in 41 games in her career, starting 39, while Davis has battled through injury her first two seasons but started eight of nine matches in which she's appeared. Both players will provide plenty of leadership for the team in Gregory's first season in Sherman. Also returning this season is Brittany Hutton, who played in 15 games a season ago, starting seven matches, and who has started 12 of 23 games in which she's appeared in her first two seasons at Austin College.
Jessica Hayakawa-Negrete and Giselle Melendez-Vallez each return this season as well, after having combined to play in 28 games with 15 starts between them a year ago. Last season, Melendez-Vallez found the back of the net once in just six shot attempts. Also returning with plenty of field time are Caitlyn Hernandez and Delaney Alexander, who played in 13 and 12 games, respectively, with Hernandez finding herself in the starting 11 four times. Ari Ruocco brings more upperclassman leadership as well, after playing in 11 games last season in the midfield for the 'Roos.
Along with an experienced group of returners, Gregory welcomes a talented group of newcomers to this year's team, with six new players joining the mix, including Brianna Vasquez, Emeri Watson, Priscilla Garcia, Tanya Gonzalez, Sage Newton, and Bryanna Cortes-Pindeo.
The 'Roos open up the season on September 1, when they play host to Hendrix College at 6:00 p.m. at the Jack Pierce Memorial Soccer Complex.