Redhawks have chance to be most talented squad in program's history

Southeast opens its seventh season on Friday against Gardner-Webb at the Austin Peay Tournament.

Heather Nelson believes this just might be her most talented team since she started the Southeast Missouri State women's soccer program in 1999.

The seventh-year coach hopes that allows the Redhawks to climb back to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings.

"I think this might be the best team we've had in the history of the program," said Nelson, whose squad opens the season at 4 p.m. Friday against Gardner-Webb in the Austin Peay Tournament. "The talent level, the focus, the desire, the speed certainly. I am very excited."

Nelson has led the Redhawks to a six-year record of 65-31-11, including five straight winning seasons. But since capturing consecutive OVC titles in 2001 and 2002, Southeast has finished fifth the last two years.

Nelson believes that's partly because the expanded OVC has gotten so much stronger -- but also because the Redhawks have struggled to score. Last year they had just 24 goals in 19 games.

In an effort to correct that, Nelson has revamped Southeast's offense, moving to a three-forward attack, instead of the two forwards the Redhawks employed in the past. She believes the change, along with additional firepower from several freshmen, will make a difference.

"I think it will open up more channels for us to attack, and we've brought in a lot of proven goal scorers," said Nelson, whose squad was 11-6-2 overall last year and 3-3-2 in OVC play. "I feel like we've dominated the vast majority of our games, but we haven't come out winning them.

"I'm confident we'll be strong again defensively [opponents scored just 17 goals last year], like we've been in the past, and we just need to score more."

Senior forward Lisa Schweppe, who was Southeast's second-leading scorer last year with 10 points (three goals, four assists), believes the more wide-open offense will be a major boost -- for the players and fans.

"It's going to be a lot more exciting for us and the crowd," Schweppe said. "There will be a lot more goal scoring, a lot more transition, a lot quicker pace. We're going to run. We're real excited about the system."

As to whether a revamped offense will help the Redhawks reclaim their OVC superiority, a smiling Schweppe said, "That's the plan."

Among the Redhawks' 12 returning players, 10 started at least one game last year, and Nelson expects major contributions from most, if not all, of her eight newcomers.

"I think we're two-deep at every position," Nelson said. "We're anticipating everybody will play a lot."

Junior forward Molli Beard returns as Southeast's leading scorer. She had 11 points (five goals, one assist) last year.

Junior midfielder Megan Hejlek is Southeast's only returning all-conference performer from last year, when she made the second team after recording eight points (three goals, two assists).

Besides Schweppe, Beard and Hejlek, only one other player who scored last season returns, that being junior forward Caitlin Huber. She had one goal.

Sophomore forward Alaina Lacopo had a solid freshman season with seven assists despite being limited to 12 games because of injuries.

Also returning are senior midfielder Ashley DeRoy, senior defenders Mary Kalinowski and Erin Hartmann (Jackson High School), junior midfielder Jessi Wuellner, sophomore midfielder Margie Schaeffler, and sophomore defenders Lauren Costello and Megan Matter.

The six freshmen are led by forwards Casey Kraft and Nicole Bussman, who both demonstrated dangerous offensive skills during Southeast's three-game exhibition schedule.

"Casey is talented. She has all the tools. And Nicole has very good speed," Nelson said. "We brought them in for their scoring."

The other freshmen are midfielders Jodie Reed and Jessica Kaiz; defender Megan McGrath; and goalkeeper Gianna Logston.

Other newcomers are sophomore defender Blair Schuppan, a transfer from Missouri-St. Louis; and junior goalkeeper Lindsay Pickering, a two-year starter for Southeast's softball team who is playing college soccer for the first time. Pickering will be the Redhawks' starting keeper.

"Lindsay has been a pleasant surprise," Nelson said. "She will really help us."

Added Nelson, whose squad plays its first home match Sept. 2 against St. Louis University: "I have a really good feeling about this team. The key for us will be to stay healthy. If we do, then I think we can be very good."