Local players could fill key roles for Southeast Missouri State soccer team

The Southeast Missouri State soccer team has more often than not featured several local players on an annual basis since coach Heather Nelson started the program in 1999.

That is again the case this season. The Redhawks have three players who graduated from area high schools.

Junior forward Kasey Crowden from Jackson High School is in her third year with the program. She tied for second on last year's squad in goals with two, in assists with three and in points with seven.

Sophomore forward/defender Storm French, a St. Vincent High School graduate in her second season with the Redhawks, matched Crowden last year with two goals. French added an assist for five points.

"They both did a very good job for us last year," Nelson said.

Kylie Seyer

Junior defender Kylie Seyer, a Jackson High School graduate who transferred from Kaskaskia (Ill.) College, is in her first year with the Redhawks.

"It's always nice to have local players in the program," Nelson said. "We generally have several, and most often it's a credit to the SMSC [Southeast Missouri Soccer Club]. They're a very good feeder program, whether the kids come here or go somewhere else to play."

Touted transfer

Nelson is looking forward to having junior forward Breana Beine on the field this year for the first time in a Southeast uniform.

Beine, a transfer from Evansville, sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules but she was able to practice with the Redhawks.

Storm French

Beine was Evansville's top scorer with seven goals and 16 points to earn Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year and first-team all-MVC honors in 2010. She scored three goals for the Aces in 2011 before deciding to transfer to Southeast.

Beine started all three of Southeast's exhibition games and displayed the skills that should make her one of the Redhawks' prime scoring threats.

"She's a big addition for us," Nelson said. "She's a very dangerous player in the final third of the field."

Shulman healthy

Southeast's offense figures to receive a boost from a healthy sophomore forward Erin Shulman, the 2011 OVC freshman of year and first-team all-OVC selection when she scored nine goals.

Shulman had only one goal and one assist last year as she missed the final 15 games with a knee injury. She was able to receive a medical redshirt to preserve the season of eligibility.

"It's very good to be back. I feel great," Shulman said. "I'm really excited to be able to play with my teammates again."

Herndon honored

Southeast's Sept. 20 alumni match at Houck Stadium, when the program welcomes back many of its former players, will hold special meaning.

The Redhawks will retire the late Meg Herndon's jersey during a ceremony.

Herndon was one of Southeast's program stalwarts who died during the season last September from injuries suffered in a motor scooter accident.

"We're going to take the opportunity to celebrate Meg's life and accomplishments. We're also going to celebrate 15 years of our soccer program," said Nelson, who started Southeast's program in 1999.

Rugged schedule

The Redhawks face another tough nonconference schedule that is extremely road heavy.

Southeast plays five of its seven nonleague games away from home, beginning with three straight to start the season.

The Redhawks open Friday at Nebraska, followed by matchups at Missouri-Kansas City on Sunday and Missouri on Aug. 30.

Southeast faces Arkansas State at Houck Stadium on Sept. 6 in its first home match, then doesn't play again at home until Oct. 4. Seven of the Redhawks' first eight games are on the road.

"We typically have one of the tougher nonconference schedules in our conference," Nelson said. "Our philosophy is we need to play the best to be the best."