Watch Preseason video HERE

SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Wofford College women’s soccer team returned to campus this past Sunday ready to hit the fields and begin training for the 2010 soccer season. The first official training started the same evening Coach Amy Kiah’s team reported back to the college.

Coach Kiah commented on the first few days of preseason saying, “The energy is great. We have a large group of returners and freshman. There are a few players nervous and on edge, but everyone is excited. We are really looking forward to what our freshman can bring to the table combined with the experience from our returners.”

The 2010 lineup adds eight true freshman to the roster this year, giving the team a total of 26 players for the season. Eight starters return this year, along with 17 letterwinners. Included in the mix of returning players are the top three goal scorers and shot takers from last year’s team: Nikki Siebert, Sydney Reed and Rachael Blackburn. Four seasoned upperclassmen, Lauren Cozzarelli, Daniella Fatti, Maggie McLaughlin, and Anne Phillips, will also be returning to control the midfield. Megan Wellborn and Jewel Kawamoto will be part of the backfield that has starts under their belts from the 2009 season. Katie McChesney and Erika Christensen will be back to guard the net. Both keepers started in games for the Terriers last season.

The squad began two-a-days on Monday, and has continued training twice a day in the brutal 115 degree heat index for the duration of the week. “The team handled the heat very well", said Coach Kiah. "Both upperclassmen and freshman came in decent shape and handled it fine. We train at 3 p.m. each afternoon and are excited to see everyone still healthy and ready to go."

The team is pushing through the high temperatures as they look to prepare for their opening exhibition match against Winthrop this Saturday on Snyder Field at 6 p.m. The game format will consist of three 30 minute periods.

Coach Kiah’s team will continue training the following week as they look ahead to the regular season opener at Troy. The team will travel to Troy, Alabama, on August 20, to face the Trojans at 3:00(CT).