Soccer kicks off another season

By Michael Smith
Sports Editor

For over a decade the women’s soccer team as been lead by Rollie Bulock. Something is different about this year with the generous number of returning athletes. Twenty members from the 2009 team that went 7-10-1 will be returning this season.

“I think, this year more than any other previous year, we are feeling really comfortable with our returning players,” Head Coach Rollie Bulock said. “I don’t think we are really looking for a freshman that has to step in and accomplish something. We are feeling pretty good with our returners and where we are at right now.”

The Dragons start the season with two exhibition games. The first against their cross-street rivals, Concordia and the second tune-up game is with the cougars of Minnesota-Morris.

“We are trying to get in as many players as possible,” said Bulock on his expectations for the exhibitions. “We are not worried about the score, we are worried about how we perform once they get out there. It is just a good measure of what the rest of the practices will be for the next week.”

Other than the strong veteran presents on the team, 8 players are starting their first year with the team.

“We are looking to see how they fit in,” said Bulock. “Right now they are finding their way and looking to work into the rotation.”

“Our team came in really good shape this year,” senior Laura Kohtala, Dragons Defensive MVP Award last season. “We have lots of potential, it is great feeling like that at the start of the season.”

The team has not been to the conference tournament since 2007 and but with the leadership this year “I truly believe that, we have a really good shot of getting there,” Bulock said.

“We all have a common goal, we want to work hard and get to conference,” team captain Ali Ramaeker said.

The quest for the post-season starts with the first regular season game at home on Sept. 4 against Viterbo University (Wis.), an opponent that they have not played for over five years.

“We don’t know anything about them, so it is up to the players to figure stuff out on the field,” Bulock said.

Smith can be reach at smithmi@mnstate.edu