Washington State University Athletics
Position Preview: Soccer's Scoring Front Line
August 04, 2017 | Soccer
The Cougs will look to exploit its youth and athleticism up front in 2017.
With training camp in full swing, the Cougs will have a chance to look at and evaluate their roster and the roles of their players in preparation for the kick off to the 2017 regular season. While the battles for spots on the field take place, we will preview the Cougs around the pitch, beginning with the forwards position preview.
What To Look Out For In Camp According To Coach Shulenberger:
"Last year we grew in our overall shots per game, but struggled in our shot selection. Our immaturity last season showed with taking shots that were probably unrealistic. How we shape and mold that and become more mature will be the key this season. Everybody wants to score goals, that's how you win these games. I am going to be more specific on our overall shots selection: where we are taking our shots from in these important games.Â
I do know this, we are going to be faster than we have been in a while. We are going to be extremely athletic up top, and we are going to be young. Sometimes young and immature, which way is that going to roll? I think a lot of that is going to be on the players, the captains, and of course myself and how we manage these young players. There is no doubt in my mind we are going to have speed up top. The question to answer though will be how these kids put in the effort daily and in games, week after week."
What's The Same:
Morgan Weaver. The Cougs will lean on their star sophomore to be the point of the spear after leading the team in scoring in 2016 as a freshman. After earning Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors last season, the Cougs expect her to take her game to the next level in 2017 while increasing her goal scoring production as her maturity and field presence continues to grow. In addition, WSU brings back a bevy of upperclassmen that have already cut their teeth in the toughest conference in the country, the Pac-12.
What's Different:
Gone is all-conference forward Kaitlyn Johnson to graduation. Also, lost for the season is junior Alysha Overland, the Cougs' second-leading scorer in 2016. Despite losing a pair of top-notch attackers, the Cougs are confident that the influx of young, athletic, and talented strikers will more than make up the difference. Two freshmen to keep an eye on are Elyse Bennett and Brianna Alger. Bennett, who joined the Cougs early for the 2017 spring season, gives WSU a big and athletic target at the top of the attack who is capable of winning balls in the air, holding the ball, or blowing by defenders. Alger's feel for finishing was on display throughout her high school career as she racked up nearly 100 goals in her four seasons while twice earning Colorado High School Activities Association 4A Girl's Soccer Player of the Year honors.
FOLLOW THE COUGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ALL SEASON LONG
Get all the info, photos, and videos a true Coug Fan could want by following the team on Facebook (facebook.com/washstatesoccer), Twitter (@WSUCougarSoccer) and Instagram (wsucougarsoccer).
What To Look Out For In Camp According To Coach Shulenberger:
"Last year we grew in our overall shots per game, but struggled in our shot selection. Our immaturity last season showed with taking shots that were probably unrealistic. How we shape and mold that and become more mature will be the key this season. Everybody wants to score goals, that's how you win these games. I am going to be more specific on our overall shots selection: where we are taking our shots from in these important games.Â
I do know this, we are going to be faster than we have been in a while. We are going to be extremely athletic up top, and we are going to be young. Sometimes young and immature, which way is that going to roll? I think a lot of that is going to be on the players, the captains, and of course myself and how we manage these young players. There is no doubt in my mind we are going to have speed up top. The question to answer though will be how these kids put in the effort daily and in games, week after week."
What's The Same:
Morgan Weaver. The Cougs will lean on their star sophomore to be the point of the spear after leading the team in scoring in 2016 as a freshman. After earning Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors last season, the Cougs expect her to take her game to the next level in 2017 while increasing her goal scoring production as her maturity and field presence continues to grow. In addition, WSU brings back a bevy of upperclassmen that have already cut their teeth in the toughest conference in the country, the Pac-12.
What's Different:
Gone is all-conference forward Kaitlyn Johnson to graduation. Also, lost for the season is junior Alysha Overland, the Cougs' second-leading scorer in 2016. Despite losing a pair of top-notch attackers, the Cougs are confident that the influx of young, athletic, and talented strikers will more than make up the difference. Two freshmen to keep an eye on are Elyse Bennett and Brianna Alger. Bennett, who joined the Cougs early for the 2017 spring season, gives WSU a big and athletic target at the top of the attack who is capable of winning balls in the air, holding the ball, or blowing by defenders. Alger's feel for finishing was on display throughout her high school career as she racked up nearly 100 goals in her four seasons while twice earning Colorado High School Activities Association 4A Girl's Soccer Player of the Year honors.
FOLLOW THE COUGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ALL SEASON LONG
Get all the info, photos, and videos a true Coug Fan could want by following the team on Facebook (facebook.com/washstatesoccer), Twitter (@WSUCougarSoccer) and Instagram (wsucougarsoccer).
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