Leadership is not a question with five seniors on this year’s Buccaneer soccer squad.
Heather Henson, head coach believes the veteran players will provide the Bucs with on- and off-the-field guidance.
“Our team stayed disciplined (during our exhibition match) against Furman,” Henson said, adding that the younger players also seemed to benefit greatly from the system.
Senior experience is a positive with injuries plaguing the team early this season. Nine players had to watch from the sidelines at Furman on Aug. 19.
Senior Emily Fulcher is playing a new position to help her team. “I love scoring goals, now I have to stop them,” she said.
Fulcher is the top returning scorer for the Bucs – making 10 goals in 2005 – but she is willing to play keeper while Erin Bilyeu is rehabilitating.
Fulcher says playing keeper is completely different from playing the field, but is confident with two seniors who help defend the goal.
Blair DeGraw and Trista Haupt are senior defenders that are comfortable working within the Buccaneer system.
“Blair and I have played in the back for the past four years, we communicate,” Haupt said.
DeGraw is excited about her opportunity to attack the ball more often.
“With every year your role changes,” DeGraw said. She has been working hard this off-season.
“Our class has to fill some big shoes. We love the sport, that’s what we are here to do,” she said.
An Atlantic Sun pre-season coaches’ poll puts ETSU in seventh place. The low ranking is due possibly to the loss of Erin Ashton and Meghan Morris. Both of whom graduated.
They earned honors of A-Sun Student Athlete of the year, and All-Conference accolades respectively.
Senior Alexandra Schwark says the adversity will help motivate this year’s squad. “Our team will rise to the challenge. We are absolutely ready to win,” Schwark said.
If a championship is in the works for the Bucs, senior Rebecca Murray will probably have something to do with it.
Henson says Murray is a key component to the Buccaneer offense.
“Rebecca runs flank and will get a lot of opportunities to shoot,” said Henson. Murray is a physical player that isn’t afraid to mix it up with opposition.
Murray and the soccer seniors are not just athletic, each of them were named to the Buccaneer honor roll as well.
The soccer team will host Austin Peay State University on Sept. 1, at Liberty Bell starting at 7 p.m.

Author