Soccer Outlook

With ten new players on the roster and a solid core returning from 2006, the Brenau University soccer team will look to improve on last year’s successful season! The Golden Tigers recorded the most wins in the history of the program last year and have the potential in 2007 to better that record.

Returning to help lead Brenau will be three seniors including goalkeepers Jenny England (Cumming, GA) and Amber Snavely (Suwanee, GA), and defender Karleigh Fusia (Dahlonega, GA). All three had solid seasons for the Golden Tigers last fall and will once again be responsible for leading what should be a much improved defense from last year. Joining them in the back will be junior returnees Amanda Newton (Grayson, GA) and Teal Orr (Lookout Mtn., TN). Both were slowed by injuries last year but will be back in full form by the start of the 2007 campaign. The signing of transfer players Mandy Ulseth (Lawrenceville, GA), Ashley Tittle (Hull, GA) and Kelly Young (Lawrenceville, GA) - all coming from Young Harris College (2006 NJCAA Champions) - will be a huge addition for the Golden Tigers defense! Another outstanding junior college player will be Jennifer Rainey (Newnan, GA) from Truett-McConnell College. Rainey was a GJCAA All-Region Selection along with Ulseth, Young and Tittle. Additional recruits for the defense include Brittani Smith (Newnan, GA- East Coweta HS) and goalkeeper Lisa Lesnick (Surfside Beach, SC- Socastee HS) who garnered both region Player-of-the-Year and Toast-of-the-Coast honors for her play with her high school team this past spring.

The midfield should be much improved over previous years. Junior, Kim Meirowitz (Augusta, GA) stepped up last season and should provide leadership in the central part of the field once again. Joining her as either a left flank midfielder or central player will be sophomore Leanne Rowley (Brampton, Ontario). Rowley played much of last season as a defender but could have a significant impact on the offensive half of the field this year. Junior Jessica Harrelson (Jonesboro, GA), who transfers from Truett-McConnell College, will be a skillful competitor as a central player and freshman Mackenzie Qua (Richmond Hill, GA) will likely see action as an outside midfielder for the Golden Tigers. Additionally, Teal Orr can slide up to a right midfield position where she will bring a lot of pace and the ability to cross the ball from a deep and wide position.

Up front, the Golden Tigers return two talented sophomores in Lily Futrell (Savannah, GA) and Marilyn Anderson (Oakwood, GA); both players demonstrated tremendous attacking ability as first year players in 2006. The two of them combined for over half of the goal production for Brenau last fall with Futrell and Anderson in the top ten in the conference for goals and assists respectively. Another attacker that should bring some excitement to the offense is first year player Lauren Hagin (Hiram, GA). Hagin, who played with the NASA (North Atlanta Soccer Association) club and Hiram HS, has been her team’s leading scorer and MVP for the last two years. She possesses good speed and quickness and is a proven goal scorer.

Once again, this team will have to prove itself in the increasingly competitive conference that includes a trio of nationally ranked programs. With the return of a strong nucleus of players from last year’s team and the addition of ten new players that bring a wealth of experience with them, this should be a year when the Golden Tigers can step up and meet that challenge. Overall, the 2007 version of the Brenau University soccer team should be exciting to follow!