CLINTON, S.C. ? The Presbyterian College women's soccer team reported for preseason camp on Tuesday, Aug. 12. PC is entering its 20th season under head coach Brian Purcell, who has compiled 213 wins in his time with the Blue Hose.
The team holds its first practice on Wednesday morning and will continue to practice twice daily in preparation for its season opener at Clemson on Aug. 27.
“Starting out the season with Clemson, Baylor and College of Charleston is great because it's good to have high-profile games early on,” said Purcell. “We know we have a lot to accomplish and a limited amount of time to do it in. It will help us stay focused.”
The 2008 Blue Hose squad is made up of 22 players, including eight starters and 18 letterwinners from the 2007 season. Nineteen of the 24 goals scored last season were scored by players returning in 2008. Senior forward Lytle Cannon (Spartanburg, S.C.) led the pack by scoring five goals and recording two assists in 2007.
“It's nice to have such an experienced team coming back,” Purcell said. “We are in such a different place than we were last year and it helps that we don't have to start from scratch in camp.”
Seniors Ashley Cook (Charlotte, N.C.) and Christy Howard (Lilburn, Ga.) and junior Rachel Lamb (Conyers, Ga.) serve as co-captains for the upcoming season. Howard appeared in all 14 games for PC last year and netted four goals and three assists. Cook scored three goals from the midfield position while Lamb anchored down the Blue Hose defense.
Abby Young (Charlotte, N.C.) gives the Blue Hose a returner at goalkeeper with experience. Young played in eight games last season for PC, making 17 saves. She picked up her first career shutout in PC' s 2-0 win over Campbell.
The Blue Hose enter the 2008 season in the midst of a three-game winning streak after closing out their first D-I season in 2007 with three wins over Big South foes VMI, High Point and Radford. High Point was the Big South Conference Tournament Champion.
PC was 3-3-1 against Big South opposition in 2007.
