Southeast Missouri State soccer team eager to resume winning ways

~ A successful program sees brighter days ahead after last year's 7-10-4 season

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team might not have had a vintage season last year.

But considering the circumstances, it could be argued that the Redhawks turned in an especially strong campaign.

Southeast went 7-10-4 overall and finished fourth in the 11-team Ohio Valley Conference at 5-3-2 -- while being hit with all kinds of adversity.

The Redhawks suffered the horrific tragedy of program stalwart Meg Herndon's death in September from injuries sustained in a motor scooter accident, and they also lost several top players due to injury.

Even coach Heather Nelson missed the first several weeks of the season due to back and wrist injuries suffered during an accident last summer.

"It was a very unusual season, but I think through all that I give them credit. We grinded out games as a team," Nelson said. "Given the circumstances, I think they overachieved in everything I asked them to do.

"It was one of my most memorable seasons. I was very proud of them."

Nelson hopes for much smoother sailing from the beginning of the 2013 campaign that opens Friday at Nebraska. She'll have a youthful roster featuring just four seniors, along with six juniors, seven sophomores and eight freshmen.

Southeast Missouri State forward Erin Shulman, right, tries to get a shot off during an exhibition game against Saint Louis University last week. Shulman, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, is among the players that will give the 2013 Redhawks a new look and added reasons for optimism. (Adam Vogler)

"We're really young, but I'm very excited about our potential," Nelson said. "This is probably one of our most talented teams in terms of skill and depth. I think we'll be able to contend with the very best teams in the conference."

Kasey Crowden

Southeast has been among the OVC's most successful squads since Nelson started the program in 1999. The Redhawks' 137 wins and four OVC regular-season titles are the most among conference teams during that span.

Nelson, who has won four OVC coach of the year awards, has a 14-year record of 137-88-30. She has led Southeast to four OVC regular-season titles along with two OVC tournament crowns and NCAA berths.

"We're very proud of what we've been able to accomplish," said Nelson, who directs the Redhawks along with her husband and associate head coach Paul Nelson. The two have been at Southeast's helm since the program's inception.

The 2013 Redhawks will look to continue that strong run of success as they return a significant amount of talent -- 14 letterwinners and six starters -- despite losing six key seniors.

All 14 of Southeast's returning letterwinners started at least one time in 2012. Those returners account for 17 of Southeast's 22 goals, 18 of its 24 assists and 52 of 68 points from a year ago.

"I think we have a lot of potential, a lot of talent," sophomore forward Erin Shulman said. "We have a lot of athletic people. Once we learn to play together ... I think we have a very good chance to win the OVC."

While Southeast's defense was hit the hardest by graduation, the Redhawks return sophomores Paige Luehmann and Amy Harrington on the back line

Both started last year, with Luehmann earning a spot on the conference's all-newcomer squad. She led Southeast in assists with four, while Harrington contributed two goals.

Southeast also has an experienced keeper in senior Ashton Aubuchon. She was first-team all-OVC in 2011, posting eight shutouts and a 0.78 goals-against average, but she started just six matches last year while serving as the backup to Renee Kertz.

The Redhawks return their top scorer in junior midfielder Torey Byrd, who recorded team highs of six goals and 12 points.

Senior Jacey Boyko -- who has moved from forward to the back -- junior forward Kasey Crowden and sophomore forward/defender Storm French all added two goals last season.

Crowden, a Jackson High School graduate, and Boyko both were second on the team with three assists apiece. They tied for second with seven points. French, a St. Vincent High School graduate, also contributed an assist.

Southeast's offense figures to receive a boost from a healthy 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 great to have a healthy Erin back with us," Nelson said.

Additional offensive punch figures to come from junior forward Breana Beine, who sat out last year while she practiced with the squad after transferring from Evansville.

Beine scored 10 goals in two seasons with the Aces, including seven in 2010 to earn Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year honors.

"She's a big addition for us," Nelson said.

Also back after scoring one goal apiece in 2012 are sophomore forward Ashley Geist and junior midfielder Taylor Byrd. Geist added two assists.

Senior forward Amy Ward returns after contributing two assists a year ago.

Others back from last season after starting at least nine matches are senior forward/midfielder Stephanie Palmer and sophomore midfielder Jenna Collingridge, who recorded an assist.

Also returning are sophomore defender Ashley Brendel and junior defender Ellie Hight. Brendel notched an assist.

Among Southeast's 10 newcomers -- including Beine -- are Jackson High School graduate Kylie Seyer, a junior defender who transferred from Kaskaskia (Ill.) College. Seyer will be out for the first few weeks of the season due to mononucleosis, which also forced her to miss fall camp.

Eight freshmen highlight the newcomers. Nelson expects most of them to make early impacts.

The rookies are midfielder Jennifer Antonacci, defender Amber Cholevik, midfielder Abby Klintworth, midfielder Kaitlin Kuznacic, keeper Lauren Meyer, midfielder/forward Natasha Minor, defender/midfielder Christina Rohde and defender Bridget Sankey.

Several of the rookies either started or saw significant action during Southeast's three-game exhibition schedule during which the Redhawks went 1-1-1.

"Our freshmen are outstanding," Nelson said.