The 2006
season turned out to be a historic year for Lyon College
head women's soccer coach Chris McNaughton and the
Pipers. The coach and his players are expecting to hoist
yet another banner season in 2007 with seven returning
players and a host of talented newcomers.
Pipers hauled team records for victories and fewest
losses during a 13-6 season in 2006. Lyon also notched
its highest TranSouth Conference finish with a 6-2,
third-place league record and made its first-ever
appearances in the TranSouth (semifinalist) and Region
XI (quarterfinalist) tournaments.
"Last season was a good step in terms of trying to get
this program turned around," McNaughton said. "We
accomplished a lot of firsts and we are hoping to
accomplish much more this season."
In 2007, the Pipers will have to overcome the loss of 14
players to graduation or transfer, including first-team,
All-TranSouth conference goalkeeper Stephanie Henderson
and defender Ashley Goheen. Top goal-scorer Sarah
Poncher and second team all-conference defender Allison
Morrison are also gone from the mix.
Of the seven players total who return to the Pipers, all
sport starting experience. Second team, all-conference
players Angelique Armenta (forward) and Aurora Alba
(defender) both jump back into the starting lineup,
along with Elaine McCaulley, Heather Palmer, Sarah
Ruegger, Katy Smith and Amanda Cornyn.
Fifteen players are new to the program in 2007,
including 11 incoming freshmen. Most are expected to
step right in and compete for starting roles or
significant playing time.
"We are really young," McNaughton said. "Of the 22
players who will dress, 15 are new to the program and 11
of them are freshmen. But so far during the preseason,
I've been impressed by their work ethic. The weather is
so hot, but they're coming to every session with a good
attitude, ready to learn and work."
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