Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications
The Grambling State University soccer team returns to the field for another season this Thursday when the women’s team takes on LSU-Alexandria. The Lady Tigers are coming off a historic season that saw the team punch its ticket to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2006.
“For Thursday’s game, we want to use all of our healthy players and use it as a learning experience for our players to see where we are and what we need to work on,” said head coach Justin Wager. “I think we’re going to have a big learning curve at the beginning of this season and see how quickly we can fit together and adapt.”
LSU Alexandria went 16-6 overall and 10-3 in their league last season. They were led by senior forward Remmie Ferlie, who scored 18 goals and 5 assists on the season.
The Generals achieved several major milestones last season, setting records for most wins in a single season, longest winning streak and longest winning streak in program history. In addition, they won their first Conference Tournament Championship and qualified for the NAIA National Championship for the first time.
Grambling secured its SWAC title last year with a 2-0 win over JSU. Sophia Lezizidis was named Most Valuable Player of the SWAC Women’s Soccer Tournament, scoring four goals in tournament play.
Experienced midfielder Arie Whitneyone of the leaders of the GSU soccer team, was named SWAC Midfielder of the Year in the postseason. In addition to Whitney, defender Adrianna PrattForward Karlyn Richterand midfielder Samantha Diaz were all named to the All-SWAC first team.
defender Kaylen JankansForward Beatriz Kretteisand goalkeeper Madison Covey-Taylor were selected to the All-SWAC second team.
The Lady Tigers will begin the 2024 season with seven consecutive road games. This season’s schedule includes games against Big 12 member Arizona State and an Athletic Coast Conference opponent, Boston College.
Last season, Grambling finished with an impressive 15-5-4 overall record and an 8-0-1 undefeated record in the conference. The Tigers also set a program record last season with a 14-game undefeated streak.
During the season, the team scored 44 goals and conceded 30. Junior striker Karlyn Richter She scored nine goals this season and was the Tigers’ leading goalkeeper with seven assists.
According to the SWAC preseason poll, the team is considered the favorite to win the conference, with Jackson State, the SWAC tournament runner-up, a close second.
Several Lady Tigers also earned SWAC All-Conference honors during the preseason.
senior Arie Whitneywho was named Southwestern Athletic Conference Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year, also secured a spot on the first team. She was accompanied by teammates Adrianna Pratta senior and a sophomore Kaylen Jankanswho are both defenders.
Second-year striker, Sophia Lezizdis, third-year striker Sarah Kruegerand junior goalkeeper Madison Covey-Taylor were called up to the second team.
There were some changes to the squad in the off-season: four transfers and twelve new signings are intended to strengthen the already strong team.
Coach Wager wants his new recruits to implement their concept of team defense and pressure. He stressed the importance of consistently working hard as a team, winning the ball and then attacking as a unit.
Under the leadership of Coach Wagar, the team wants to build on last year’s success and go even further.
“Last season showed that we are capable of great things,” said Wagar. “Now we want to see if we can reproduce and expand on this foundation of success.”
