Oklahoma State University Athletics
2008 Cowgirl Soccer Season Preview
July 31, 2008 | Cowgirl Soccer
Oklahoma State Cowgirl soccer is coming off the two best seasons in the program's 13-year history, and head coach believes his 2008 club is primed to build on that success — and reach even greater heights in his fourth season at the helm.
The Cowgirls have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Soccer Championship each of the last two seasons, earning the program's first NCAA tourney win in 2006 and knocking off top 10-ranked San Diego in the first round of last year's tournament.
Having experienced the taste of postseason success, OSU is hungry for more in '08.
“The last two years, going to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and two years ago being one penalty kick away from the Sweet 16, we're that close to making a big run in the NCAA's,” Carmichael said. “Getting into the NCAA Tournament and making it past the second round has to be a goal. And we want to compete for a Big 12 championship, which is easier said than done.
“We have the tools to be in the mix this year, and once you get into the postseason anything can happen. Hopefully we'll be peaking at the right time.”
Carmichael has plenty of reasons for optimism. Chief among them is the return of nine starters from last season's 14-6-3 squad, highlighted by All-American midfielder , and a strong recruiting class that should add valuable depth to the roster.
“We've got a very good group of returning starters, and we've added in a strong group of freshmen which should give us some depth,” Carmichael said. “On paper, it's the deepest group of talent that we've ever had here. The talent is there so if we can stay healthy and get a little bit of luck, we have a chance to have a very successful season.
“Last year, I thought our top 14 could play with anybody. This year, we might be able to go 16 or 17 deep. I think we'll be able to rotate some of those players, and we'll have a little more gas in the tank at the end of the season and more quality players able to play and that could help us in some big games.”
OSU's 2008 schedule includes several big games. Along with the ultra-competitive Big 12 Conference slate, the Cowgirls will battle the likes of Louisville, Loyola Marymount and Oregon.
FORWARDS
OSU returns plenty of proven firepower at the forward position, led by juniors and . Add a pair of promising freshmen to the mix, and the Cowgirls should be strong on the attack.
In Strawser, the Cowgirls return an all-region performer who was their leading goal scorer in '07. A year ago, she finished with eight goals, four of those coming in conference play, and has found the back of the net 13 times in her first two collegiate seasons.
“Siera is just a goal scorer,” Carmichael said. “It's crucial that she's on the field. And she seems to score very important goals — against San Diego in the NCAA Tournament, against Notre Dame, against OU.”
Creating scoring opportunities for the OSU offense is a specialty of Langdon, who had a breakout sophomore campaign, leading the Cowgirls in scoring with 19 points. She racked up nine assists, which ranked second in the Big 12, and also added five goals.
“Kasey is a great set-up player, and she really improved in the spring,” Carmichael said. “She just needs to add a few more goals to her game, and she'll be very good.”
Trying to build on a strong freshman season will be , who played in all 23 games a year ago and recorded three goals and four assists.
is another veteran who has five career goals, and newcomers and should compete for playing time. Hardin was a high school All-American and four-time all-state performer in Arkansas, while Treadwell is another top prep recruit who racked up 62 goals and 37 assists during her high school career.
MIDFIELDERS
OSU returns one of the top players in all of college soccer in senior All-American , who was granted an extra year of eligibility last season after losing a year earlier in her collegiate career due to an appeals process with the NCAA.
A two-time first-team All-Big 12 performer and 2006 Co-Big 12 Player of the Year, Odenyo brings a tremendous presence to Carmichael's program.
“Not only her individual stats but her leadership and the confidence she brings to the rest of the team,” Carmichael said. “And then when teams focus on stopping Yolanda, it allows others to step up and have more freedom.
“(Odenyo) is just invaluable. She's made a huge impact on our program on-and-off the field. She's our focal point, and we're hoping she has a great senior year.”
Odenyo already ranks among OSU's career leaders in a number of categories. She's recorded 19 goals and 15 assists during her three seasons with the Cowgirls, including a seven-goal, three-assist effort in 2007.
And Carmichael expects even more production from his star in her final season.
“Everyone obviously focuses on Yolanda,” Carmichael said. “What we've done with her for this season is make her more of an attacking midfielder to try and get some more goal production out of her. She feels like, and we agree with her, that she can be a little more offensive.”
Joining Odenyo at the midfielder spot are fellow senior and sophomore . Markaverich is a capable scorer who will play a defensive midfielder role in 2008, while Niemeier earned regional all-freshman honors after recording three goals and six assists a year ago.
Carmichael expects several freshman to play immediately. was a prep star in Texas, while led her high school team to a state title and had seven goals and 14 assists during her senior season. Another frosh, , was expected to contribute but will miss the season with an injury.
DEFENDERS
Defender is another position where the Cowgirls return a strong group of veterans, including three starters from a year ago. That trio — , and — formed a defensive corps that helped OSU record 10 shutouts and allow just 20 goals in 2007.
“Late in the year, they were the backbone of the team,” Carmichael said.
Jarrell, who will be a senior in 2008, started 21 games a year ago, while Miller has started 54 games in her first two seasons and was named an all-region peformer as a sophomore. And Leggett earned a spot on the Big 12's All-Newcomer team after starting every game for the Cowgirls in her first collegiate season.
Adding depth to the defender spot are junior and sophmore , while freshmen , and are highly touted prospects who should see the field immediately.
“The returning players are very strong, and we've added some valuable depth,” Carmichael said. “Having so many players in the back will hopefully stop us from wearing down in some games.”
GOALKEEPERS
A former walk-on who has blossomed into a record-setting goalie for the Cowgirls, senior is firmly entrenched in OSU's goalkeeper spot. Stigler has tied for the Big 12 lead in shutouts each of the last two seasons, and her 15 career shutouts are an OSU record.
As a sophomore, Stigler led the league in goals against average and save percentage, and last season she helped the Cowgirls record a conference-best 10 shutouts and rank second in goals against average.
“You can't say enough good things about ,” Carmichael said. “From walk-on, fourth-string goalkeeper to setting shutout records, she's been great. She's playing with a lot of confidence, and our team realizes they've got a good goalkeeper behind them. That gives everyone more confidence.”
Adding depth at goalie are sophomore , who combined with Stigler for three shutouts a year ago, and fellow sophomore .
