August 08, 2006
The 2006 Texas A&M soccer team reported back to College Station Tuesday evening for a team dinner. On Wednesday, the team will meet with members of compliance and will take part in a fitness test. The squad?â„¢s first practice is schedule to start at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.
?We are all extremely excited about having everyone back and the opportunity to work with all the players again,? said Guerrieri. ?I think this is going to prove to be a wonderful year. This roster could possibly be the most talented we?â„¢ve seen in Aggieland.?
The ?â„¢06 squad returns nine starters and a total of 18 letterwinners from the previous year?â„¢s team that brought home the 2005 Big 12 regular season and tournament championship and lifted A&M to it?â„¢s 11th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and seventh admission into the NCAA ?Sweet Sixteen.?
Included in the returnees are eight seniors, Julie Almeida (Bryan, Texas), Niki Benningfield (Georgetown, Texas), Annie Burnett (San Antonio, Texas), Suzzette Devloo (Houston, Texas), Madison Klovstad (Orange, Calif.), Kat Krambeer (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), Lauren Pfister (Katy, Texas) and Linda Pierson (Missouri City, Texas).
Also returning as upperclassmen are nine juniors, Sara Albrecht (Kingwood, Texas), Amy Berend (Highland Village, Texas), Paige Carmichael (Glendale, Ariz.), Melissa Garey (Gonzales, La.), Elisabeth Jones (Lexington, Ky.), Allison Martino (Draper, Utah), Ashlee Pistorius (Normal, Ill.), Julie Spearink (Loughborough, England), and Kelly Wilmoth (Allen, Texas).
Taking the field this season with a year of experience under their belts are sophomores, Emily Peterson (Tulsa, Okla.), Laura Grace Robinson (Houston, Texas) and Micah Stephens (Flower Mound, Texas).
Also vying for playing time will be five freshman, Kristin Arnold (Centennial, Colo.), Cydne Currie (Irving, Texas), Natalie Currie (Irving, Texas), Amber Gnatzig (Humble, Texas) and Nicole Ketchum (Cypress, Texas).
Prior to the regular season opener against North Carolina on Aug. 25, the Aggies will play two preseason matches. A&M opens the exhibition season at home on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. against Conference USA Tournament Champion Rice. Following that match, the Aggies will hit the road to play Ohio State at the MLS' Columbus Crew Stadium on Friday, Aug. 18.
Visit www.aggieathletics.com for the most current information regarding the 2006 Texas A&M soccer team.