Snyder, TX - With only 6 letter winners returning for the Lady Westerners this year, first year head coach Fanta Cooper is gearing up for what promises to be a very exciting 2014 campaign. In addition to the returning players, Cooper has recruited a wide array of incoming talent comprised of 14 student-athletes from a variety of different, high-level club/high school teams. The Green, White & Blue
also welcomes assistant coach Brook Serrano and who, along with, assistant coach Dimtriy Lunev will be instrumental in guiding this young team on a successful campaign. Leading the way for this year's team are sophomore captains Jessica Lantrip (Cornith, TX) and Andrea Huerta (El Paso, TX). With both Lantrip and Huerta returning to the lead the defense the coaching staff expects the two sophomores' leadership to be crucial, especially for a team that is so young. The Lady Westerners have high expectations to work their way to the top of NJCAA Region V. Cooper and her staff have pinpointed three goals to achieve a successful season, the first of which is to be the top team in the Region V defensively. "If you want to go to the regional tournament, if you want to win this thing, your team defense has to be at the highest level. We have to keep shut teams down and keep try to keep a clean sheet. It's a rarity to win any championship without possessing a statistically low goal against average," remarks Cooper. Second on Cooper's list is to increase offensive production. If the Lady Westerners can keep up the amount of shots and goals scored and build on their defense they should be a major threat in Region V. A year ago the team was able to accumulate 20 goals in 14 games and was one of the top offenses in the Region. "If we can consistently display our team's speed and athleticism we will be able to increase our goal production," Cooper declares. Cooper's third priority is to have a smooth integration of the returners and the newcomers as quickly as possible. The rookie class is considered to be the best on paper the program has ever seen. "The freshmen are going to have to fill some of the roles and minutes that are now open, so we need to get everybody on the same page," explains Cooper. The staff pairs the integration of new players with that of building team chemistry and getting the freshmen student-athletes acclimated to playing college-level ball. "All of the freshman are coming in are from good soccer clubs/high school," reports Cooper. "It means the competitive environment and their level of play will make it easier to adjust to the rigors of college soccer." Adds Cooper, "It's a young class, so they're going to be coming in, and they're going to be asked to be put in these roles that you might not get at another school." Cooper sees the great potential that this group of young women has this season. "The most exciting part for us is that we have great core of 6 returners that will have us battling for the top spot in the NJCAA Region V," says Cooper. I really believe that this is our year to shine in the, we have to keep the vision and work hard to claim the title, but I think this team is capable accomplishing this feat," adds Cooper. FORWARDS
With one of the fastest front lines in the NJCAA Region V, this dynamic group looks to build on an outstanding season that saw a breakout season for Sophomore Kristina Lantrip (Cornith, TX) to score five goals on the season. "With sophomores Kristina Lantrip and Sarah Cenary (Turks and Caicos) as our main two front runners it really makes for a dynamic group. Our front line front line will be a dangerous group for any backline especially with the addition of talented forwards Shelly Graza (Grand Praire, TX), Erminia Garcia (Milwaukee, WI) and Marta Orta (El Paso, TX)," says Cooper. MIDFIELD
After losing the core of its midfield to graduation the Lady Westerners are looking to rebuild its midfield this year with the aid of veteran sophomores Marai Williams, Leticia Gongora and talented Freshman midfielders Nasyana Carmarillo, Malina Quezada and Kimberly Flores. Rebuilding a midfield is never an easy task, affirms Cooper but I'm not concerned about whether or not we're going to have a good midfield this fall, because we're definitely going to have a good one," affirms Cooper. "We have experience, talent and speed playing in the midfield this year and I look forward to seeing them fulfill their potential." DEFENSE
Though the defense did not live up to expectations last season, the Lady Westerners have flashed immense potential with more speed and height added to the backline this year. "The key to the defense this season is that the backline needs to learn how to play as one unit and not individual players," says Cooper. Sophomores Jessica Lantrip, Andrea Huerta and will look to grow on the experience they gained last year as the pair were selected to All-Region V Team. Sophomore Leticia Gongora will also have a significant role on defense. Rounding out the defense are talented Freshmen Alejandra Granados (El Paso, TX), Alex Hernandez (Lubbuck, TX), Miranda Leal (El Paso, TX), and Jazmine Yepez (El Paso, TX) who will look to make an immediate impact. With the back line so peppered with experienced players, the transition for a new or young player to step in will be much smoother. "It's a little bit easier if you're a young player and you have very experienced players around you," remarks Cooper. "The learning curve is going to be different in the back than, say, the kids that play in the midfield, because there are younger players filling those positions. But if all things fall into place, our back line is going to be very good." GOALKEEPERS
For the upcoming season, there is a tremendous amount of talent but not a lot of experience in the goalkeeping position. With two incoming freshman fighting for the starting role, Cooper says, "our goalkeepers will have the steepest learning curve of them all but I have faith that Darci Duncan (Amarillo, TX) and Stephanie Pagan (El Paso, TX) will be up for the task.
