The Roanoke College women's soccer team saw success in the second half of its season, winning eight of the last ten games on the schedule.  The Maroons, led by Phil Benne in his 26th year at the helm, brought on their eight consecutive 10-win season, a record for the women's soccer program.  Benne believes that the 2014 Maroon squad can achieve success if both returners and incoming players can build on that momentum.
 
"With a young team in 2013, having five new starters in the rotation to accomplish a 10-win season, we look forward to building on our success with added offensive punch, either from our returning or some of our first year players," Benne stated.
 

Returning for the Maroons are six of the top seven point scorers from the 2013 squad.  Between these six players, they tallied 24 of the team's 34 goals in the year.  The Maroons were led by Second Team All-ODAC performer, Ashley Barnes, who rattled off nine goals last season, including tying a school record of four goals in a game against Randolph.  Also returning is Courtney Yoke, who was third on the squad in points with 11, scoring three goals with five assists.  Nathalie Torres will be back at midfield as well for the Maroons.  Torres and Barnes combined for 14 goals and 28 points during the 2014 season.
 
Benne also notes that Carolyn Sarbacher returns in goal for the Maroons in 2014.
 
"Carolyn will bring  a lot of experience and leadership to our team in 2014," Benne said. "She is one of the top keepers in the ODAC."
 
Also returning on defense is Kaitlyn Manning.  Manning played in all 18 games for the Maroons last season, and is back to keep scoring down for the opponents.  The Maroons outscored their opponents 34-13 last year, with seven shutouts in the last 10 games.
 

"Kaitlyn will return at center back this year," Benne noted.  "She brings such an intensity to the game, which will help control our defense."
 
Benne is also hoping for depth out of his 10 new recruits to the squad, to be able to help out the large group of returning starters.
 
"With nine starters returning for us in 2014, the addition of eight freshmen and two transfers will give added depth in all positions, as well as creating competition for spots in the top 11," noted Benne.
 
The Maroons open the regular season with play in the Lynchburg College Shellenberger Classic, where they will take on Averett  and Southern Virginia.  On the weekend of September 6th, the Maroons host the Roanoke Invitational, bringing in teams Franklin and Marshall and Johns Hopkins, two tough non-conference opponents.
 
"Our non-conference schedule will be a good test," Benne said.  "Averett lost a lot of starters, but will reload with savvy European players.  In the Roanoke Invitational, we host two opponents from the Centennial Conference.  Franklin and Marshall was picked 8th in their conference poll, while Johns Hopkins was a #1 pick, and ranks sixth in the NSCAA National Poll, making for a tough weekend."
 
After a great test in six non-conference games, the Maroons open Old Dominion Athletic Conference action with Washington and Lee on September 19th.  Benne feels that with W&L and Bridgewater, back to back to open conference play, it will be a true test.
 

"Our goal is to be the top three of the ODAC after the regular season," Benne said.  "Opening up in the ODAC schedule with Washington & Lee and Bridgewater at home will be an early test with teams we need to beat."
 
After the Bridgewater game on September 20th, the Maroons will host four other ODAC contests at Kerr Stadium: Randolph Macon (9/27), Lynchburg (10/10), Randolph (10/21) and Guilford (10/28).
 
When asked what would make the season a success, Benne noted that the team is capable of a win in each contest they play.
 
"We feel we are capable of getting a result every time we step on the field," Benne stated.  "Our goal is top-three in the ODAC regular season and obtaining quality wins inside and out of the conference to make us NCAA Tournament eligible.  Having lost in the quarterfinals of the ODAC Tournament last year, we look forward to getting back to the semifinals.  At that point, anything can happen to propel us to the championship match."
 
The Maroons open regular season play on August 29th against Averett University in Lynchburg Virginia.  That game is slated for an 5:00 PM start.