The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Soccer prepares to defend conference title

    The Lady Lions soccer team won the Southland Conference Championship last year and are working towards defending their title. The season officially begins Friday, Aug. 19 at Memphis.

    The Lady Lions soccer team won the Southland Conference Championship last year and are working towards defending their title. The season officially begins Friday, Aug. 19 at Memphis.
    The Lion's Roar/File Photo

    The Lady Lions soccer team is preparing for the 2016 season, which starts on Friday, Aug. 19 at Memphis. In 2015, the Lady Lions were able to win their fourth Southland Conference Championship defeating Sam Houston (3-1) and qualified for their third appearance in the NCAA Regionals. Last season ended with a loss to the Auburn Tigers in the first round of Regionals.

    “Preparation for the upcoming season started last November as soon as the 2015 season concluded,” said Head soccer Coach Blake Hornbuckle. “Our returning student athletes and newcomers have been consistently working to prepare for the fall.”

    The Lady Lions will be looking to win their sixth regular season championship and attempt to repeat as SLC tournament championships. Hornbuckle will be going into this season with a mostly veteran lineup and a few new faces to the roster. 

    “It is difficult to win titles and win them back to back,” said Hornbuckle. “We have been fortunate to win back to back titles on three occasions 1998-1999, 2002-2003 and 2009-2010. There are many complex moving parts that play big roles in the success of the team.”

    The 19 game schedule was released on Monday, Jun. 27. The Lady Lions have eight non-conference matches and eleven conference matches. Ten of those games will be played at home. The first two home games will be played at the Southeastern Soccer Complex while the final eight home games will be played in Strawberry Stadium. The ten home games eases the challenge of this season.

    “Every game will be tough this fall and we prepare diligently for each team we play,” said Hornbuckle.

    Early preseason mention was given to senior goalkeeper Hope Sabadash who was named among 36 NCAA Division I players as a contender for the women’s 2016 Missouri Athletic Club’s (MAC) Hermann Trophy. The Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious award in college soccer given annually to one male and female athlete. Sabadash is the first Lady Lion to be named as a contender for the award.

    “We are excited for Hope’s latest honor,” said Hornbuckle. “She is looking forward to her senior year in goal and we are happy she is back.”

    To see the Lady Lions schedule, visit lionsports.net.

    Soccer team huddles together

    Socccer huddle together for motivation. 
    The Lion's Roar/File Photo

     

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