Due West, S.C. – With 24 returners, including 12 players who started in 9 or more games, from last year's squad, the Erskine Women's Soccer Team is positioned to take a step forward in both the win-loss column and the conference standings this season.

Playing mostly freshman and sophomores last season, the young Flying Fleet team stumbled to a 1-16 overall record.  But this young talented group picked up valuable experience along the way and now with the addition of five talented incoming freshmen, Head Women's Soccer Coach Gary Winchester expects his team to improve on last season's record. 

"I believe we have a great group of young ladies this season. We are coming off of a testy season, none of us would disagree; however, we all have taken accountability for that. We as a collective group have refocused and are more than ready to push forward into this fall," states Winchester. 

Winchester went on to add, "The new freshmen class is very good and will contribute greatly to an already talented team."

The strength on this year's team lies on the defensive-side, returning both goalkeepers and all four starters along the back row.  Junior goalkeeper Ashton Burgess (Greenwood, SC, Emerald High School) is a two-year starter in the net while senior Jessie Gaughan (Leland, NC, Wilmington Christian Academy) has proved to be a very capable back-up.  On the back line, junior Jennifer Deppen (Martinez, GA, Evans High School) has proven to be a superior defender but as a junior will be expected to provide more leadership.

In the midfield, the Fleet return three seniors who all attended high school together in Rachel Mitchell (Griffin, GA, Pike County High School), Ashley Reeves (Zebulon, GA, Pike County High School) and Molly Sexton (Griffin, GA, Pike County High School).  Mitchell and Reeves were the only two players on last year's squad to start and play in all sixteen games.  Their experience and speed on the outside will be counted on to help the Fleet in transition while Sexton's ball handling skills in the middle will be key to the Fleet keeping possession of the ball.   Sexton is also a quality defender and depending on the play of some teammates may move back to defender to strengthen an already superior group.

Up front the Fleet have two junior strikers capable of putting the ball in the back of the net along with a talented freshman.  Junior Jamie Morris (Columbia, SC, Blythewood High School) works well in confided quarters and possesses a cannon for a right foot while classmate Hayley Rogers (West Columbia, SC, Lexington High School) works best in open space where she can use her speed and quickness.  Freshman Kate Harrington (Chapin, SC, Chapin High School) is a talented athlete and should work her way into the rotation at some point this season.

The Fleet play their first six games at home but face a tough opponent on opening day, September 4^th, in local rival Lander University.  Last year the Bearcats defended the Fleet 6-0 in Greenwood.

Admission to all home Erskine soccer games is free.

Schedule

Roster