2008 Woodie Awards
Women finish camp, kick-off season at home versus Belmont
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Sports
Matthew Middlebrooks
Contributing writer
With the new school year comes new and fresh seasons for Murray State athletic teams.
After finishing third in the Ohio Valley Conference a year ago, the Lady Racer soccer team hopes to finish this season atop the OVC standings. The team spent the summer hard at work to prepare for upcoming games.
The first key victory for the Racers this season came when head coach Beth Acreman and assistant coach Kevin Botterill were able to land the No. 1 recruiting class in the OVC, according to "Soccer Buzz Magazine."
"The freshmen, have really helped improve our team, and bring in styles that compliment those of all the upper classmen," senior defender Kellyn Robison said. "We are a young team, and they should really help us out throughout the season and have an impact."
The Racers opened camp a few weeks ago and with eight new freshmen coming from places ranging from Benton, Ky., to Oslo, Norway, and even Rugby, England, team building was a necessity to get ready for the upcoming season.
To help get better acclimated to their new teammates and environment, the Racers stopped for an outdoor adventure on their way to camp.
"We lived in cabins for two days," Acreman said. "We wanted to let everyone get to know one another and get comfortable and teach the freshman what it meant to be a Racer."
The team members thought the experience gave them time to bond together off the field, and get to know one another on a more personal level.
"On the field everything is strictly business," Robison said. "But this retreat gave us a chance to get to know the new girls on a more personal level, and gave us a chance to bond as friends rather than just teammates."
The second big accomplishment of the offseason came a few weeks ago, when the Racers were picked to finish second in the OVC.
"Its great to be recognized in the preseason polls but once the games start is when it really matters, all the preseason stuff goes out the window, and we have to work hard to achieve what we want," Acreman said.
The Racers will have a chance to quickly prove what they are made of and where they stand as they open conference-play on Sept. 26 against the defending champions-also the team picked to win the conference title again-Southeast Missouri State.
"It's great to be picked second and be able to see that we are getting respect," Robison said. "But our ultimate goal is to finish on top, and it all starts with knocking off SEMO, and claiming the top spot."
With the season just days away, the Racers have high expectations for the season, and certain goals they hope to achieve.
"I feel that we have improved every season that I have been here," Acreman said. "Our big goal this year is to continue improving and have a better conference record this year than we have had in the past."
The season kicks off at 3 p.m. today at Cutchin field as the Racers take on Belmont University.
Matthew Middlebrooks can be reached at matthew.middlebrooks@murraystate.edu.
Contributing writer
With the new school year comes new and fresh seasons for Murray State athletic teams.
After finishing third in the Ohio Valley Conference a year ago, the Lady Racer soccer team hopes to finish this season atop the OVC standings. The team spent the summer hard at work to prepare for upcoming games.
The first key victory for the Racers this season came when head coach Beth Acreman and assistant coach Kevin Botterill were able to land the No. 1 recruiting class in the OVC, according to "Soccer Buzz Magazine."
"The freshmen, have really helped improve our team, and bring in styles that compliment those of all the upper classmen," senior defender Kellyn Robison said. "We are a young team, and they should really help us out throughout the season and have an impact."
The Racers opened camp a few weeks ago and with eight new freshmen coming from places ranging from Benton, Ky., to Oslo, Norway, and even Rugby, England, team building was a necessity to get ready for the upcoming season.
To help get better acclimated to their new teammates and environment, the Racers stopped for an outdoor adventure on their way to camp.
"We lived in cabins for two days," Acreman said. "We wanted to let everyone get to know one another and get comfortable and teach the freshman what it meant to be a Racer."
The team members thought the experience gave them time to bond together off the field, and get to know one another on a more personal level.
"On the field everything is strictly business," Robison said. "But this retreat gave us a chance to get to know the new girls on a more personal level, and gave us a chance to bond as friends rather than just teammates."
The second big accomplishment of the offseason came a few weeks ago, when the Racers were picked to finish second in the OVC.
"Its great to be recognized in the preseason polls but once the games start is when it really matters, all the preseason stuff goes out the window, and we have to work hard to achieve what we want," Acreman said.
The Racers will have a chance to quickly prove what they are made of and where they stand as they open conference-play on Sept. 26 against the defending champions-also the team picked to win the conference title again-Southeast Missouri State.
"It's great to be picked second and be able to see that we are getting respect," Robison said. "But our ultimate goal is to finish on top, and it all starts with knocking off SEMO, and claiming the top spot."
With the season just days away, the Racers have high expectations for the season, and certain goals they hope to achieve.
"I feel that we have improved every season that I have been here," Acreman said. "Our big goal this year is to continue improving and have a better conference record this year than we have had in the past."
The season kicks off at 3 p.m. today at Cutchin field as the Racers take on Belmont University.
Matthew Middlebrooks can be reached at matthew.middlebrooks@murraystate.edu.
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