Carson-Newman Women’s Soccer Defenders and Goalkeepers Preview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Part one of the three-part Carson-Newman women’s soccer position previews focuses on the defense and the goalkeeping as the Eagles’ return three starters in those roles from 2014.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Part one of the three-part Carson-Newman women's soccer position previews focuses on the defense and the goalkeeping as the Eagles' return three starters in those roles from 2014.
The Eagles' three returners have a combined 69 starts between them as juniors Elissa Lane (Knoxville, Tenn.), Megan Peterson (Parrish, Fla.) and sophomore and 2014 First-Team All-South Atlantic Conference member Helen Seed (Preston, England) bring experience to the defense.
Joining the returners will be two freshmen, a redshirt freshman and a striker-turned-defender.
This preview will start in goal with the two keepers on the Carson-Newman roster: redshirt freshman Katie Cottrell (Knoxville, Tenn.) and freshman Jessica Fraiture (Hebron, Ky.). Neither player has seen collegiate action in goal, so the back four will be a key to the team's success.
"Jess has been with us all summer. It's been crazy the improvement she's made. We only have one returning keeper, Katie. It's going to be a competition between those two. It will be different last year," Peterson said.
Peterson and Seed were the starting center backs for 15 of the team's 17 games last season and grew to become a solid duo in the back for coach Richard Moodie's squad.
"Last year was definitely a learning experience for us. I think we built a really strong bond and we just have to use that to go into this year strong," Peterson said.
Offensively, the pair has the ability to push forward. Seed was third on the team last season with five points on two goals and an assist. Seed tallied goals against Lincoln Memorial and Mars Hall and added an assist against the Lions. Peterson has one career goal to her docket after scoring the game-winning overtime goal against Mars Hill during her freshman year.
Lane should return to her familiar role as the Eagles' right back. She started 12 games there as a sophomore and a freshman each.
"She's one of those players where she doesn't stand out but she does everything right. It's awesome to play with her. She's a good player," Peterson said.
The left back position is the other open spot to be filled during the preseason after the graduation of Susann Kneifel and the departure of Jamie DePaul. Incoming freshman Mackenzie King (Grand Junction, Colo.) could push for playing time. An offensive minded player, King has the ability to push forward and get the offensive attack going. At Fruita Monument High School, she led the defensive players as a junior and senior in goals and assists.
Adding depth to the defense this season will be junior Nora Logan (Charlotte, N.C.) and freshman Allyson Davenport (Morristown, Tenn.). Logan spent her first two seasons on Mossy Creek as a striker where she tallied two goals a sophomore. She made the move to defense during the spring and looks to add quality depth to the squad. Davenport will be joining the squad after spending her previous four years at Morristown West High School. She was named All-District and second-team All-Region with the Trojans.
Next Tuesday will be the second part of the position previews as the Eagles' midfield will be discussed with junior Chelsea Jordan.
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