Spring Break
Shepherd puts last season behind her by focusing on the future
Nicole Jacobsen, Associate Sports Editor, njacobse@smu.edu
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Sports
Upcoming sophomore Lauren Shepherd of the women's soccer team proved she could hold her own on the field in her first season at SMU, tying for third on the team in shots on goal with 12.
But with the absence of Kimber Bailey, Allison Brill and Brittany Vice in the upcoming season, can the new top offensive player of the team measure up to the hype the team created during their spring season?
Since losing seven graduating seniors, the team has been focusing on filling in the gaps and adapting to new positions to prepare them for their season opener on August 23 against Oklahoma State.
"Well, hopefully we will at least [do] better than last year since we didn't go very far," said Shepherd. "I think we're getting about 15 freshmen coming in so it will be a young, fresh start. It will be nice to have new players. I'm excited to see what they bring."
In the 2007-08 season, Shepherd collected two goals and one assist in 17 games. At the end of the season, Shepherd was ranked sixth on the team for most assists, racking up a total of five points. Shepherd's most recently received notice came when she was credited with the assist in teammate Sarah Benchaita's goal in the team's spring season 1-0 win over Oklahoma on April 5.
"He'll [head coach, Brent Erwin] expect more of me. I played every game and only scored two goals," explained Shepherd. "I know he's expecting me to produce more goals - it's kind of my job. But with all these new players coming in it's up in the air who will play where and how positions will be filled."
The team faced some trouble last year, going on a five-game losing streak in the middle of conference play. Though discouraged by its win-loss ratio, the team came back to close out its season on a four-game winning streak, including three conference victories.
With games against Big 12 schools Notre Dame and reigning NCAA champion USC, the Mustangs have a tough schedule looming on the horizon.
But with the absence of Kimber Bailey, Allison Brill and Brittany Vice in the upcoming season, can the new top offensive player of the team measure up to the hype the team created during their spring season?
Since losing seven graduating seniors, the team has been focusing on filling in the gaps and adapting to new positions to prepare them for their season opener on August 23 against Oklahoma State.
"Well, hopefully we will at least [do] better than last year since we didn't go very far," said Shepherd. "I think we're getting about 15 freshmen coming in so it will be a young, fresh start. It will be nice to have new players. I'm excited to see what they bring."
In the 2007-08 season, Shepherd collected two goals and one assist in 17 games. At the end of the season, Shepherd was ranked sixth on the team for most assists, racking up a total of five points. Shepherd's most recently received notice came when she was credited with the assist in teammate Sarah Benchaita's goal in the team's spring season 1-0 win over Oklahoma on April 5.
"He'll [head coach, Brent Erwin] expect more of me. I played every game and only scored two goals," explained Shepherd. "I know he's expecting me to produce more goals - it's kind of my job. But with all these new players coming in it's up in the air who will play where and how positions will be filled."
The team faced some trouble last year, going on a five-game losing streak in the middle of conference play. Though discouraged by its win-loss ratio, the team came back to close out its season on a four-game winning streak, including three conference victories.
With games against Big 12 schools Notre Dame and reigning NCAA champion USC, the Mustangs have a tough schedule looming on the horizon.
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