Aug. 2, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - There is a certain excitement for any player getting back on the field for the first time each season, but maybe even more than usual for a trio of Texas A&M soccer players that missed most of the 2009 season.
Raven Tatum (Dallas, Texas) and Beth West (Centennial, Colo.) each sat on the sidelines last season because of knee injuries and are chomping at the bit for the chance to get back on the pitch and compete with their teammates.
"It was definitely hard to watch the team play last year and I'm really excited to get back and contribute on the field instead of just being a cheerleader from sidelines," said West.
"I'm very anxious to play again," added Tatum. "A year on the sidelines is a big difference from sitting out one or two games with a minor injury. I was able to play in the spring, but that was kind of a tease compared to the real season in the fall."
Sophomore midfielders West and Tatum have three years of eligibility left, while senior captain Gnatzig has a much more sentimental, single year remaining to play for the Aggies.
"Last year all I could do was try and lead from the sidelines and cheer vocally," Gnatzig commented. "It was really hard watching and I'm just so happy that I have another chance to be on the field. I have an entirely different attitude now that I know that this is it."
The Texas A&M soccer team, which officially kicks off the 2010 season at the Aggie Soccer Stadium on Aug. 20, already returns 11 starters and 19 letterwinners from its 2009 NCAA Sweet 16 squad that finished the season ranked 13th in the nation. Add Gnatzig, Tatum and West, and the numbers look even sweeter.
"We are very excited to see the start of a new soccer season, especially when we return so many of the players who had a major impact on our success last season," said head coach G Guerrieri. "But, I'm just as psyched to see three of our most dominating players return to the lineup after missing the 2009 season due to injuries."
In just seven games last year, Gnatzig scored two goals, one of which was a game-winner, and added an assist. In her freshman campaign (2008), West earned numerous postseason accolades, including Soccer Buzz Freshman All-America honors. She was expected to be a big contributor last season, being selected to the '09 Preseason All-Big 12 Team. In her first season of competition, Tatum appeared as an imposing figure in the midfield in all 24 matches, helping push the Aggies all the way to the NCAA Elite Eight.
"Amber, Raven and Beth were each a valuable part of our 2008 starting lineup," continued Guerrieri. "Their absence forced us to change the shape and chemistry of our team's formation last year, but it also provided great opportunities for other players, who stepped in and made positive impacts on our team's success and subsequent run through another NCAA Tournament. A year later, we get Amber, Beth, and Raven to reunite with those players who earned such valuable big-game experience last season. It looks like we may have many more options and lineup combinations than we've had in years."
The Aggies start the 2010 season with six straight home games, including an exhibition match against Rice on Aug. 14 and their home season-opener against 20-time national champion North Carolina on Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information or to purchase season or individual ticket packages, please contact the 12th Man Foundation Ticket Center at tickets.12thmanfoundation.com, 979-845-2311 or toll free at 1-888-99-AGGIE.