Women’s Soccer Position Preview: Forwards
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The last installment of the four-part position preview for the Carson-Newman women's soccer team features the forwards and coach Richard Moodie.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The last installment of the four-part position preview for the Carson-Newman women's soccer team features the forwards and coach Richard Moodie.
This season's group of forwards welcomes back three sophomores and two newcomers.
The returners bring back 23 games work of experience and seven starts between the three.
The Eagles' offense only produced 28 goals during the 2013 season, a stat that Moodie says will not win championships. Heading into the 2014 season, he wants and expects a player to step up and be a major target at the top.
"Really, for us, as a team, we are looking for a kid that will step up and say 'Yeah, I'm going to bag 10 or 15 goals this year.' And every team needs it," Moodie said.
Leading the back of returners is sophomore Nora Logan. The Charlotte, N.C. native made two starts during the 2013 season. Moodie thinks that Logan will take a big step between her freshman and sophomore season.
"We had one young lady who came back from freshman year and she has done a lot of work this summer, Nora Logan, and she looks sharp on the ball," Moodie said.
Lauren Morelock will be a sophomore during the 2014 campaign. Morelock transferred to Carson-Newman from Virginia Tech. During her rookie season last year, she played in 15 games and added an assist.
Sophomore Kendall Morrison is returning to Mossy Creek after a freshman campaign where she saw action in four games.
Two international players have been added to Moodie's roster, including a player who saw time on her senior-level national team.
Freshman Camilla Olsson comes to Carson-Newman from Trendheim, Norway. During high school, she spent time in Maine participating in a student-exchange program. That season, she contributed eight goals and five assists while her high school advanced to the state semifinals.
The other newcomer is Nikki McWilliams from Saintfield, Northern Ireland. McWilliams played on the senior-level Northern Ireland national team. She played in the Irish Women's Football Association League with her club winning three titles. McWilliams scored the game-winning goal when her club won the Irish FA Cup in 2010.
Moodie's group of forwards may be young, but it has plenty of talent and potential. When he decides who will start the first game against Tampa University, they will be the best forwards on the squad.
"We just got done telling the girls after practice that the best players are going to play, so regardless of category: sophomore, junior, senior, the best kids are going to play. And I think we have got that in amongst that rotation of five."
The Carson-Newman women's soccer team opens up the 2014 season on the road at No. 18 Tampa University on September 4th at 5 p.m.
