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Brewton-Parker women’s soccer reloads

MOUNT VERNON—According to the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “the only thing constant is change,” and a changing of the guard has occurred in Mount Vernon. Five key starters have departed from the Brewton-Parker women’s soccer team, and 11 new freshmen enter the field.
The Barons’ women’s team, which went 7-5 in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) last year and 11-6-1 overall, will sorely miss the services of goalkeeper Michelle McRaven of Brunswick, Ga., who graduated in May after garnering Second Team All-SSAC and Second Team All-Region XIII honors. Sweeper Avianne Tobias of Toca, Trinidad (3 goals, 1 assist), also on the Second Team for both the SSAC and NAIA Region XIII, earned her degree and returned home to start her career.   
Other painful losses include Elizabeth Durham (3 goals, 2 assists) of Augusta, Ga., and Ashley Meyer (10 goals, 11 assists, Second Team All SSAC) of Guelph, Ontario. These ladies also graduated and will move on to jobs teaching and coaching soccer at the high school level.  Janine Baldwin of Pleasant Grove, Ala., who came in as a freshman last year but left at the end of school to join the business world, played striker in 2005 and scored seven goals for the Barons.  
“Losing these starters is tough,” said Brewon-Parker’s Head Soccer Coach Bill Glass, “Our recruiting class and the returning players will have some big shoes to fill.”
Among the returning players who plan to continue the team’s winning tradition are sophomore Adrian Bushart, a midfielder from Marietta, who put in four goals for the Barons last year; sophomore Mandy Perry, a defender from Hull who contributed three goals; senior right back Kasey Lewis of Ailey; senior left back Carly Colombero of Buford; junior midfielder Christina Vasquez of Miami; sophomore forward Kristi Jenkins of Barnesville; senior left midfielder Ginny Ashley of Adel and sophomore midfielder Alice Zeiss of Crystal River, Fla., who will be activated after red-shirting last year. Ashley and Lewis will serve as captains. 
“We have a solid group of experienced players on the women’s team who have been setting a high standard for the freshmen during our pre-season training,” said Glass.
Joining the Barons in 2006 are several internationals, including Patrice Superville and Afiya Castle, both of whom played on the Trinidad National Team (Castle with the U-19’s and Superville with the Seniors). Kirsty McClusky comes to Mount Vernon from England where she played amateur soccer for the Huddersfield Ladies Soccer Club. 
Freshmen who will not experience jet lag on the way home this Christmas include Hannah Carmichael, a forward from McDonough who was captain of the Henry County High School Team this spring; Katherine Christian, a goalkeeper who helped Calhoun High School make it to the Elite 8 round of the Georgia State High School Championships her senior year; Chelsea Milroy who played four years of varsity soccer as a defender for Cartersville High School; Brittney Roberts who played forward and midfield for the Stockbridge High School varsity; striker Brittany Stossmeister of Jesup who scored 83 goals during her career at Wayne County High School; Lisa Taylor from Peachtree City where she played soccer at McIntosh High School; and, Kimber Thomas of Marietta who was captain for the Osborne High School girl’s soccer team for four years. 
“It is apparent that these ladies all worked hard this summer in order to come in fit for training,” said Coach Glass. “That speaks volumes for their dedication and commitment to the team.”
The Barons’ women’s soccer team can expect to be rigorously tested by an SSAC schedule that includes three teams that made it to the NAIA Region XIII Women’s Soccer Tournament last fall and two who went to the nationals. Lee University, an SSAC conference opponent, lost in the NAIA National Championship final to eventual NAIA champion Martin Methodist University. 
As if the SSAC conference was not tough enough, the Barons’ women will also face a strong group of out-of-conference NAIA powerhouses, including SCAD, Embry Riddle and Thomas University. The ladies will also tangle with a couple NCAA D-II outfits, first the University of North Alabama and then USC-Aiken. 
“What has happened is that by posting winning records the last two years, now the top teams want to play us,” said Coach Glass. “This has to do with amassing points needed to qualify for the regional and national championships – they get more points if they can beat a team with a winning record. We hope this strategy backfires on a few of our opponents this year.”
The Barons’ women’s team opens up against SCAD in Savannah at 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 23. The University of North Alabama visits Mount Vernon for the team’s home opener Friday, August 25 at 4 p.m.
—BPC—