Soccer Kicks Off New Season

Gainesville, Ga - The 2010 version of Brenau Soccer got underway this week with daily doubles practice sessions at the Allen Creek Soccer Complex under the direction of Head Coach Mike Lochstampfor, who is entering his 9th season at the helm of the Golden Tigers. Lochstampfor has added a familiar face to the coaching staff, as Marilyn Anderson, who was an outstanding player during her four seasons for the Tigers, comes aboard.

Lost from last year's 9-7-2 team is all time leading scorer and All Conference player Lily Futrell and Anderson, but there is plenty of returning firepower to provide optimism about this season. All SSAC goalkeeper Lisa Lesnick (Surfside Beach, SC) is back for her senior season, as is Lily's sister, Tori, (Savannah) who returns for her senior year after an outstanding junior campaign during which she was named Second Team All Conference as a defender. Two other seniors, FWD/MF Lauren Hagin (Hiram) and Dolapo Obahor, a midfielder from Kaduna, Nigeria, are back as well and both have lots of game experience and figure heavily into the plans for this year.

Newcomers that Coach Lochstampfor expects to contribute right away include Junior transfer Erin Brinks (Ontario, Canada), who played at Middle Georgia CC for the past two years, Freshman Kirsty Smith, who joins the team from Doncaster, England as a forward, and Trinidad native Jaimey Alleyne, also coming in as a freshman.

"With nine new players, and the loss of some key players to graduation, we will have to wait and see how this team comes together," said Coach Lochstampfor. "However, our skill level is very good and our approach to the game might be a little different with the type of players we have." The Tigers finished tied for fourth at 4-3-1 in 2009 in the very tough SSAC and are hoping to continue that competitive level this year.