The Aggies are dripping with talent from endline-to-endline and touchline-to-touchline, but it will be hard to take your eyes off the midfield this season.
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A pair of seniors enter the year as bona fide All-American candidates. Addie McCain and Taylor Ziemer return as one of the top midfield duos in the nation and the talent surrounding them has the Aggie coaching staff champing at the bit. The list of returners also includes Kendall Bates, Daria Britton and Tera Ziemer. An infusion of new talent also intensifies the anticipation. Freshmen Kate Colvin, Barbara Olivieri and Taylor Pounds have all impressed the coaches in fall training. Seton Hall transfer Jai Smith is expected to see action in the midfield as well as showcasing her skills as a forward.
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Coach G's Take –
"This is a talented and deep midfield corps. All of these players are experienced at high levels and are smart in knowing they have the ability to take over a game. We feel as though we can interchange on the fly and never drop off."
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KENDALL BATES
Bates returns after missing the 2019 campaign as a medical redshirt. She enjoyed a solid rookie season, playing in 14 matches, including four starts. She registered three assists on the season. Bates made an immediate impact in Aggieland, earning All-Tournament Team recognition at the University of Hawaii's Outrigger Soccer Kickoff. Her prep career was highlighted by a mind-boggling 59 goals and 63 assists in her three years at Melissa High School.
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Coach G's Take –
"Kendall is a technical, intelligent and smooth player on the ball. She is a leader for our team on and off the field. She is coming back from a redshirt year and is someone who we think has the ability to step in and help us to establish a tempo and keep our possessions."
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DARIA BRITTON
Britton is a veteran of 21 collegiate matches, including nine games with the Maroon & White last season. The transfer from High Point transfer provides the Aggies with depth as a holding midfielder and her height draws attention as a scoring threat on set pieces. Britton's prep career was highlighted by All-Texas 5A First Team and District 26-5A Defensive Player of the Year recognition in 2017.
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Coach G's Take –
"Daria has a tall lean frame and is someone who is good in the air. She is strong, intelligent and does a great job coming forward when the opportunity is there. She is a legitimate goal-scoring threat on restarts."
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KATE COLVIN
Colvin is a former team captain with the Houston Dash's Developmental Academy U17 and U19 squads. Her future promise earned an invitation to practice with the Dash's NWSL squad in the summer of 2019. On the prep circuit, Colvin starred at Magnolia High School as a freshman, earning District 20-5A Midfield MVP, All-District 20-5A First Team and Montgomery County Newcomer of the Year in her only season in 2017.
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Coach G's Take –
 "Kate is a tough and crafty defensive midfielder. She is good when we don't have the ball but also when we do have possession. She is able to establish a rhythm in the way we want to play."
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ADDIE MCCAIN
McCain has earned a wealth of recognition during her first three seasons in Aggieland, including United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team and All-SEC Second Team in 2018 and SEC All-Freshman Team in 2017. She owns 67 Aggie caps, including 58 starts, logging 36 points on 11 goals and 14 assists. In 2019, she registered 14 points on four goals and six assists.
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Coach G's Take –
"Addie is one of the smoothest and elegant players you will ever see. She is a real joy to watch in the midfield in the way that she can control the game and ball. She has the ability to shape the ball on a pass and bring people into the game. Also, her capacity to score huge goals from anywhere within 35 yards is exciting to watch."
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BARBARA OLIVIERI
Olivieri arrived in Aggieland with valuable international experience. She starred for Venezuela at the CONMEBOL South American U20 Championship in Argentina, helping the squad qualify for the final stage, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, scoring two goals against Ecuador to help her squad sew up first place in Group A. Olivieri participated in her first camp with the full Venezuela National Team in November 2019. Stateside, she landed a laundry list of laurels, including the 2017-18 ECNL Texas Conference Player of the Year with Albion Hurricanes FC and the 2019 Gatorade Texas Player of the Year with Tompkins High School.
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Coach G's Take –
"Barbara is one of the most exciting young players in the United States. She is the former Texas High School Player of the Year and has the ability to take over games as a goal scorer. She can set the tempo of the match by being the key cog in any team's attack. She has done that for Venezuela national team program and I expect her to be one of our leading scorers going into this year."
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TAYLOR POUNDS
Pounds arrives in Brazos Valley with the ability to eclipse the accomplishments of her sister, Haley, an two-time All-SEC forward. She starred three seasons at Klein Oak High School, earning All-District 15-6A all three seasons. On the club circuit, Pounds played with Challenge Soccer Club from 2010-19. She led Challenge SC's ECNL squad to national playoffs three times and was recognized as one of the Best XI at the ECNL Texas National Event in February 2018.
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Coach G's Take –
"Taylor is tall and strong and she possesses an impressive work rate and range to cover the field from box to box and sideline to sideline. She will draw the attention of our opponents as a goal-scoring threat on corner kicks. Like her sister, Haley, I really think Taylor is going to be a fan favorite in Aggieland – she's an Aggie thru and thru.
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JAI SMITH
Smith is a transfer from Seton Hall, where she appeared in 14 games as a rookie, including six starts on the frontline. The California-native enjoyed a two-year club career with the Lamorinda Soccer Club Development Academy. She also played one year with DeAnza Force ECNL and two years with Mountain View Los Altos ECNL under former US Soccer standout Tiffeny Milbrett. Prior to her year-round developmental academy stint, Smith played two prep seasons at Head-Royce School, logging 22 goals and 10 assists as a freshman and sophomore.
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Coach G's Take –
"Jai reminds me of players we have had in the past that are fun to watch, especially when she has the ball and running at the other team's defense. She has a great change of speed and is powerful on the ball, but she is also delicate with her touch and ability fonish off her chances."
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NATALIE YOO
Yoo enjoyed a successful campaign with the Dallas Texans Developmental Academy squad in 2017-18 as the only Austin-area player to earn the call up. Prior to that she played with the Austin Texans Soccer Club, leading the team with 15 goals and 20 assists during in 2017. During her one season playing prep soccer at Lake Travis High School in 2018, Yoo led the Cavaliers to their first-ever state tournament in 2018, leading the team to a 23-5 record with a team-leading 58 points on 23 goals and 12 assists.
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Coach G's Take –
"Natalie is a transfer from Indiana and is coming back home to Texas. She is a prototypical Texas A&M midfielder being that she is smart and comfortable on the ball. She is able to speed the game up or slow it back down, while also being able to be a scoring threat."
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TAYLOR ZIEMER
Ziemer is the Aggies' most experienced player. In addition to 67 Division I caps, including 59 starts, she played in 21 matches for ADO Den Haag in Eredivisie Vrouwen, the highest level of Dutch women's soccer during the 2018-19. Last season, Ziemer started all 22 matches, logging 12 points on five goals and two assists. In two seasons at Virginia (2016 & '17), she racked up 32 points on 12 goals and eight assists in 45 matches.
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Coach G's Take –
"Taylor is one of the most gifted and intelligent players that we have ever had at Texas A&M. She uses her body better than anyone that I have ever seen play in the women's game in a long time. She has the ability to read the game and lead on the field. Not only has she scored big-time goals for Texas A&M, but she also has an incredible work rate and capacity. She runs from box-to-box and sideline-to-sideline and hardly allows anyone to know she ever fatigues."
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TERA ZIEMER
Ziemer owns 44 Aggie caps, including 14 starts. She has amassed 12 career points on four goals and four assists. Last year, she played in 21 games, including three starts, registering nine points on four goals and one assist. Ziemer enjoyed a solid freshman campaign in 2018, making 23 appearances, including 21 starts for the Aggies.
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Coach G's Take –
"Tera is someone who has played on the frontline and midfield for us. She has scored some important goals in her two years here so far. She is someone who continues to get better and has been a consistent starter as well as an important influencer in the way we play."
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A pair of seniors enter the year as bona fide All-American candidates. Addie McCain and Taylor Ziemer return as one of the top midfield duos in the nation and the talent surrounding them has the Aggie coaching staff champing at the bit. The list of returners also includes Kendall Bates, Daria Britton and Tera Ziemer. An infusion of new talent also intensifies the anticipation. Freshmen Kate Colvin, Barbara Olivieri and Taylor Pounds have all impressed the coaches in fall training. Seton Hall transfer Jai Smith is expected to see action in the midfield as well as showcasing her skills as a forward.
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Coach G's Take –
"This is a talented and deep midfield corps. All of these players are experienced at high levels and are smart in knowing they have the ability to take over a game. We feel as though we can interchange on the fly and never drop off."
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KENDALL BATES
Bates returns after missing the 2019 campaign as a medical redshirt. She enjoyed a solid rookie season, playing in 14 matches, including four starts. She registered three assists on the season. Bates made an immediate impact in Aggieland, earning All-Tournament Team recognition at the University of Hawaii's Outrigger Soccer Kickoff. Her prep career was highlighted by a mind-boggling 59 goals and 63 assists in her three years at Melissa High School.
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Coach G's Take –
"Kendall is a technical, intelligent and smooth player on the ball. She is a leader for our team on and off the field. She is coming back from a redshirt year and is someone who we think has the ability to step in and help us to establish a tempo and keep our possessions."
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DARIA BRITTON
Britton is a veteran of 21 collegiate matches, including nine games with the Maroon & White last season. The transfer from High Point transfer provides the Aggies with depth as a holding midfielder and her height draws attention as a scoring threat on set pieces. Britton's prep career was highlighted by All-Texas 5A First Team and District 26-5A Defensive Player of the Year recognition in 2017.
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Coach G's Take –
"Daria has a tall lean frame and is someone who is good in the air. She is strong, intelligent and does a great job coming forward when the opportunity is there. She is a legitimate goal-scoring threat on restarts."
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KATE COLVIN
Colvin is a former team captain with the Houston Dash's Developmental Academy U17 and U19 squads. Her future promise earned an invitation to practice with the Dash's NWSL squad in the summer of 2019. On the prep circuit, Colvin starred at Magnolia High School as a freshman, earning District 20-5A Midfield MVP, All-District 20-5A First Team and Montgomery County Newcomer of the Year in her only season in 2017.
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Coach G's Take –
 "Kate is a tough and crafty defensive midfielder. She is good when we don't have the ball but also when we do have possession. She is able to establish a rhythm in the way we want to play."
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ADDIE MCCAIN
McCain has earned a wealth of recognition during her first three seasons in Aggieland, including United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team and All-SEC Second Team in 2018 and SEC All-Freshman Team in 2017. She owns 67 Aggie caps, including 58 starts, logging 36 points on 11 goals and 14 assists. In 2019, she registered 14 points on four goals and six assists.
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Coach G's Take –
"Addie is one of the smoothest and elegant players you will ever see. She is a real joy to watch in the midfield in the way that she can control the game and ball. She has the ability to shape the ball on a pass and bring people into the game. Also, her capacity to score huge goals from anywhere within 35 yards is exciting to watch."
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BARBARA OLIVIERI
Olivieri arrived in Aggieland with valuable international experience. She starred for Venezuela at the CONMEBOL South American U20 Championship in Argentina, helping the squad qualify for the final stage, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, scoring two goals against Ecuador to help her squad sew up first place in Group A. Olivieri participated in her first camp with the full Venezuela National Team in November 2019. Stateside, she landed a laundry list of laurels, including the 2017-18 ECNL Texas Conference Player of the Year with Albion Hurricanes FC and the 2019 Gatorade Texas Player of the Year with Tompkins High School.
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Coach G's Take –
"Barbara is one of the most exciting young players in the United States. She is the former Texas High School Player of the Year and has the ability to take over games as a goal scorer. She can set the tempo of the match by being the key cog in any team's attack. She has done that for Venezuela national team program and I expect her to be one of our leading scorers going into this year."
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TAYLOR POUNDS
Pounds arrives in Brazos Valley with the ability to eclipse the accomplishments of her sister, Haley, an two-time All-SEC forward. She starred three seasons at Klein Oak High School, earning All-District 15-6A all three seasons. On the club circuit, Pounds played with Challenge Soccer Club from 2010-19. She led Challenge SC's ECNL squad to national playoffs three times and was recognized as one of the Best XI at the ECNL Texas National Event in February 2018.
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Coach G's Take –
"Taylor is tall and strong and she possesses an impressive work rate and range to cover the field from box to box and sideline to sideline. She will draw the attention of our opponents as a goal-scoring threat on corner kicks. Like her sister, Haley, I really think Taylor is going to be a fan favorite in Aggieland – she's an Aggie thru and thru.
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JAI SMITH
Smith is a transfer from Seton Hall, where she appeared in 14 games as a rookie, including six starts on the frontline. The California-native enjoyed a two-year club career with the Lamorinda Soccer Club Development Academy. She also played one year with DeAnza Force ECNL and two years with Mountain View Los Altos ECNL under former US Soccer standout Tiffeny Milbrett. Prior to her year-round developmental academy stint, Smith played two prep seasons at Head-Royce School, logging 22 goals and 10 assists as a freshman and sophomore.
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Coach G's Take –
"Jai reminds me of players we have had in the past that are fun to watch, especially when she has the ball and running at the other team's defense. She has a great change of speed and is powerful on the ball, but she is also delicate with her touch and ability fonish off her chances."
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NATALIE YOO
Yoo enjoyed a successful campaign with the Dallas Texans Developmental Academy squad in 2017-18 as the only Austin-area player to earn the call up. Prior to that she played with the Austin Texans Soccer Club, leading the team with 15 goals and 20 assists during in 2017. During her one season playing prep soccer at Lake Travis High School in 2018, Yoo led the Cavaliers to their first-ever state tournament in 2018, leading the team to a 23-5 record with a team-leading 58 points on 23 goals and 12 assists.
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Coach G's Take –
"Natalie is a transfer from Indiana and is coming back home to Texas. She is a prototypical Texas A&M midfielder being that she is smart and comfortable on the ball. She is able to speed the game up or slow it back down, while also being able to be a scoring threat."
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TAYLOR ZIEMER
Ziemer is the Aggies' most experienced player. In addition to 67 Division I caps, including 59 starts, she played in 21 matches for ADO Den Haag in Eredivisie Vrouwen, the highest level of Dutch women's soccer during the 2018-19. Last season, Ziemer started all 22 matches, logging 12 points on five goals and two assists. In two seasons at Virginia (2016 & '17), she racked up 32 points on 12 goals and eight assists in 45 matches.
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Coach G's Take –
"Taylor is one of the most gifted and intelligent players that we have ever had at Texas A&M. She uses her body better than anyone that I have ever seen play in the women's game in a long time. She has the ability to read the game and lead on the field. Not only has she scored big-time goals for Texas A&M, but she also has an incredible work rate and capacity. She runs from box-to-box and sideline-to-sideline and hardly allows anyone to know she ever fatigues."
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TERA ZIEMER
Ziemer owns 44 Aggie caps, including 14 starts. She has amassed 12 career points on four goals and four assists. Last year, she played in 21 games, including three starts, registering nine points on four goals and one assist. Ziemer enjoyed a solid freshman campaign in 2018, making 23 appearances, including 21 starts for the Aggies.
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Coach G's Take –
"Tera is someone who has played on the frontline and midfield for us. She has scored some important goals in her two years here so far. She is someone who continues to get better and has been a consistent starter as well as an important influencer in the way we play."