MATCHES
Friday: at #18 Trinity University | 5:00 p.m. | San Antonio, TX | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
Sunday: at Schreiner University | 1:00 p.m. | Kerrville, TX | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

MARSHALL, Texas – After a competitive 2018 campaign, the East Texas Baptist University women's soccer team is set to kick-off the 2019 season this weekend. ETBU enters the regular season with new head coach Kristin Cox at the helm, after the team's 8-8-1 record a year ago. The Tigers were picked to finish seventh in the American Southwest Conference, receiving 158 points total.

ETBU will open the regular season in San Antonio, Texas, with a matchup against #18 Trinity University on August 30 and Schreiner University on Sept. 1.  

Trinity enters the 2019 season after claiming the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championship over Southwestern (TX) in 2018. The Tigers finished the season with an overall record of 17-2-1 with a 9-1-1 record on their home field. Chelsea Cole led the attack for TU recording 23 goals and nine assists for 55 points. 

Schreiner University enters Sunday afternoon's contest after a 5-10-3 mark in the 2018 season. The Mountaineers finished 3-8-2 in SCAC play before falling in the semifinals to TU, 5-0. SU owns the overall series with ETBU, going 3-0-2 in five meetings. ETBU managed to end last season's matchup with a 2-2 tie on Cornish Field. Marissa Wheeler led the effort for the Mountaineers last season, scoring four goals and collecting three assists for a total of 11 points.   

The Tigers return 20 players to the fold, with nine joining the squad this season. All-ASC players Kibriana Bonner (3^rd team), Brianna Mickshaw (3^rd team), Raegan Kappler (3^rd team) and Ashleigh Rondon (2^nd team) return to lead the effort for ETBU. Rondon lead the Tigers in all offensive categories last season, tallying eight goals (fifth in the ASC) and five assists for a total of 24 points. Rondon's impressive sophomore campaign included a pair of game-winning goals against Sul Ross State University and Louisiana College. Kappler ranked second on the team with five goals and four assists for a total of 14 points, and Mickshaw added three goals and two assists for eight points last season. Bonner helped ETBU to six shutout victories last season, while recording an assist against Mississippi University for Women.

After a successful run in preseason play, Head Coach Kristin Cox is excited with the overall effort her team has put in on and off the field.

"I'm really proud of my girls. They've come in working hard non-stop and they're always asking questions. They're eager to do more and work harder. We've had a few freshman come in and surprise us and earn a starting spot in our exhibition games. It's fun to see our girls playing in different formations and stepping up for each other," Cox said.

ETBU will open up the regular season against TU on Friday, August 30^th from Paul McGinlay Field at 5:00 p.m.