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 with the focus on the center of the field and the midfielders.
What To Look Out For In Camp According To Coach Shulenberger:
"Midfielders are our playmakers. This team prides itself on playing smart and tactical soccer but also having a bite to our game. We want to be defensive minded, blue collar, hard-working, and gutsy. While we may lack experience up top, in the middle is where our experience begins to show.
The midfield will probably be the most open of all the positions. We have the numbers in the midfield with returners and the fresh faces. We have hard kids who can play throughout the midfield, from holding mids to the attack and all the way back. We are going to be very talented. I'm excited about their work rate in there and I'm also excited that they can score goals for us."
What's The Same:
A solid core of veterans return to solidify the midfield for the Cougs including seniors Sofia Anker-Kofoed and Chelsea Harkins. In addition, players who were forced to play out of position last season due to injury, like Maegan O'Neill who played center back as a sophomore, can slide back into their more natural positions in the midfield to give WSU even more options. As with all Coug teams, the midfield will be tasked with creating the chances and transition opportunities that lead to goals while keeping control of the center of the field.
What's Different:
The Cougs graduated a pair of seniors out of the midfield from last season including captain Kailiana Johnson. Despite the loss of two solid contributors, WSU has bolstered its ranks with talented and athletic group of freshmen to mix into a group of veterans that have an array of experience. Attacking, freshman Makamae Gomera-Stevens is one to look out for as the young Hawaiian talented play maker that can also be pushed up top into the attacking front. Jamie Rita, like Elyse Bennett in the forwards group, arrived early to Pullman in January allowing her to play and train throughout the spring season with the team. Sydney Pulver and other new Cougs bring highly touted club resumes with them to college where they will look to seamlessly integrate into the WSU system.
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:
"Midfielders are our playmakers. This team prides itself on playing smart and tactical soccer but also having a bite to our game. We want to be defensive minded, blue collar, hard-working, and gutsy. While we may lack experience up top, in the middle is where our experience begins to show.
The midfield will probably be the most open of all the positions. We have the numbers in the midfield with returners and the fresh faces. We have hard kids who can play throughout the midfield, from holding mids to the attack and all the way back. We are going to be very talented. I'm excited about their work rate in there and I'm also excited that they can score goals for us."
What's The Same:
A solid core of veterans return to solidify the midfield for the Cougs including seniors Sofia Anker-Kofoed and Chelsea Harkins. In addition, players who were forced to play out of position last season due to injury, like Maegan O'Neill who played center back as a sophomore, can slide back into their more natural positions in the midfield to give WSU even more options. As with all Coug teams, the midfield will be tasked with creating the chances and transition opportunities that lead to goals while keeping control of the center of the field.
What's Different:
The Cougs graduated a pair of seniors out of the midfield from last season including captain Kailiana Johnson. Despite the loss of two solid contributors, WSU has bolstered its ranks with talented and athletic group of freshmen to mix into a group of veterans that have an array of experience. Attacking, freshman Makamae Gomera-Stevens is one to look out for as the young Hawaiian talented play maker that can also be pushed up top into the attacking front. Jamie Rita, like Elyse Bennett in the forwards group, arrived early to Pullman in January allowing her to play and train throughout the spring season with the team. Sydney Pulver and other new Cougs bring highly touted club resumes with them to college where they will look to seamlessly integrate into the WSU system.
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).