Aug. 12, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Eighteen goals in the first 12 games. Nine in the last 13, including three penalty kicks. Even Winston Churchill could not refute those statistics.
The Aggie backline became better, became tighter and became stingier as the 2009 season went on.
At the heart of that group was sophomore Mary Grace Schmidt (Orange, Calif.), who, by the end of last season looked anything but a first-year player. This year, Mary should be given license to lead what is still a hard-core, young group. The `grand dame' Emily Peterson has graduated and in her place is freshman Rachel Lenz (Round Rock, Texas). What a wise step on Lenz's part to graduate early and train and play with her new team last spring. The coaches were smart and played Lenz all the time, so there will be no acclimatization period this fall. Schmidt and Lenz are born leaders and the noise of instructions. Cajole and praise could be heard all through the spring games.
Surrounding Schmidt and Lenz will be the speedy sophomore Lyndsey Gnatzig (Humble, Texas), who is usually matched up against the fastest forward from the opposition, and the tough junior Rachael Balaguer (Austin, Texas). You may notice the difference between the Aggie fullbacks and the rest of the back lines in college soccer. The Aggie backs attack! Can Balaguer become the female Maicon, the talented Brazilian right back and attacking whiz? Only time will tell.
Behind what looks to be a flat back line will be the best duo of goalkeepers any team is blessed with. Senior Kristin Arnold (Centennial, Colo.) should lead the charge initially as fellow senior Kelly Dyer (Germantown, Tenn.) is recovering from off-season surgery. Arnold knows not to become too complacent, as Dyer will be back in the rotation soon. The combination worked well last year because the team was comfortable with both keepers, which is a credit to both their training habits. Kristin may have the edge in crosses with her reach, but Kelly's quickness is legendary, just ask LSU penalty takers (or Iowa State's for that matter).