The Stars face LSU-Shreveport at 9 a.m. Saturday in Shreveport, La., to open the season.
“The girls had a tremendous year despite fighting injuries and a poor start,” OCU coach Brian Harvey said. “They came right at playoff time and were the hot team. We want to get off to a good start and continue that into the playoffs.”
Even though the team is losing all-American Sarah Leonard, there is a network of senior leadership and experience in place to offset the loss.
“We have a lot of experience,” Harvey said. “We have six seniors all in the right positions in the middle of the defense and in the midfield. Hopefully this will give us a good spine. If we steer clear of injuries, this team can get back to nationals.”
The backbone of the team will be anchored by returning senior Brittany Tibbs, a goalkeeper from Kansas City, Mo., who anchors the backfield. Tibbs, who had seven shutouts and 68 saves in net, will play a vital role to the team’s success yet again. She has garnered three all-SAC mentions.
“If we can go anywhere, she will be the one to help take us there,” Harvey said. “She is a player I enjoy working with.”
Alex Miley, a senior midfielder from Edmond, Okla., who will also be an integral piece of this experienced team. Miley had one goal and two assists last year.
“She is a senior team captain,” Harvey said. “She has a great attitude and knows how to get the job done.”
Malin Andersson, a senior from Huskvarna, Sweden, scored 11 goals and seven assists last season on her way to an all-SAC second-team nod.
“She will be a go-to player and a difference maker,” Harvey said. “She has the attitude to lead the line and get us back to the national tournament.”
A position-by-position look at the Stars:
Defense
Senior Josefine Holmgren, of Huskvarna, Sweden, has firmly secured an anchoring position on the back line and should continue to be a defensive force. Holmgren netted two goals and five assists last season.
Sophomores Brenna Skillern, from Yukon, Okla., and Niku Bayatfar, from Ada, Okla., add defensive experience and should both follow good first-year campaigns with even better second-year efforts.
Sophomore Sheridan Horner, from Choctaw, Okla., transferred to OCU after a six-goal, eight-assist season for Ottawa (Kan.).
“Horner can play anywhere for our defense,” Harvey said.
Additional depth to the defensive roster comes in the form of Abby Lloyd, a junior from Jefferson City, Mo.
Joining Tibbs in protecting the goal are Ashton Glover, a senior from Mustang, Okla. and Alissa Reed, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas.
“She’ll get some time this season,” Harvey said of Reed. “She’s one for the future.”
Midfield
Joining senior captain Miley in the midfield is freshman Gianna Puskarich, from Fairview, Texas. Puskarich will be asked to step into the role of attacking midfielder vacated by Sarah Burnett.
Stephanie Peña, a senior from Tulsa, Okla., has three assists in her limited playing time due to injury.
“She was having her best year for us until she broke her leg,” Harvey said. “We hope she can contribute as much as she can.”
Lauren Kolker, a junior from Choctaw, Okla., who had one goal and one assist last year, and Rachael O’Brien, a sophomore from Plano, Texas, will add more experience in the middle of the field.
Courtney Worsham, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., will provide added depth to the team.
Forward
Prep standout Meghan McMahon, from Oklahoma City, is expected to team up with Andersson at the striker position.
“I expect her and McMahon to be our source of goals this season,” Harvey said of the two.
Ariel Bayatfar, a freshman from Ada, Okla., rounds out the front line and could also make an impact in her first season using her strength and speed.
Freshmen Margaret Lee, from Tulsa, Okla., and Blerta Rashica, from Orebro, Sweden, are also expected to bolster team depth at forward.
A solid start in conjunction with added levels of concentration and reduced injuries should allow the Stars to continue in their winning ways.
“We must step up our level of concentration,” Harvey said. “We were so depleted last year due to injury and illness, but we’re in a much healthier situation now. If we steer clear of injuries, this team can get back to nationals.”