Women's Soccer 8/31/2016 2:45:00 PM

OCU looks to grow into contender

Stars set to open 2016 on Saturday

Oklahoma City University looks to build on a strong 2015 women's soccer campaign with a young and talent-rich group.
OCU ended last season with a 12-5-1 overall record, falling to John Brown (Ark.) 1-0 in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals.
The Stars, fielding only five seniors in 2016, will need to gain experience early and improve with every contest.
"Learning and progressing every day will be most important this year," said OCU head coach Brian Harvey. OCU will begin the year on the road 2 p.m. Saturday vs. Lyon (Ark.) with the home opener slated for 2 p.m. Sept. 10 against Wiley (Texas).
Coach Harvey owns a 343-100-25 women's record during his 22 years leading the women's soccer program since its inception in 1994. Harvey understands what having a young team entails. "We are looking for this year's returners to really step up and lead us forward," Harvey said.
The leadership will begin with senior forward Vanessa Mendoza. Mendoza, the Garland, Texas, native will help fuel the attack this year and will be expected to produce offensively.
Junior midfielder Keeley Brewer anchors the midfield and provides much-needed leadership and experience.
Senior defender and Las Vegas product Syrina Lopez leads by example and looks to end her career at OCU with a strong showing.
Now a position-by-position look at the Stars:

Forward

The Stars will be replacing two of the top goal scorers and assist leaders here. Mendoza will look to lead the charge, and the senior looks to finish her career out in style. Mendoza scored three goals and one assist last season in starting 17 games. Harvey says about Mendoza, "She plays wide and forward on the field. We look for her to fill her potential this year."
Junior Keller, Texas native Felica Ellison will also look to step up and provide offense after improving last year. "Ellison can play right wing or right fullback and will definitely help us this year. We will really be looking for leadership from her."
Incoming freshman Keilah Ayum provides speed down the field and the ability to score from anywhere. Harvey says that Ayum "has great potential, tremendous speed and will give us great looks near the goal."

Midfield

Brewer also adds a spark with her positive attitude and leadership. Brewer has started all 33 matches she has been in an OCU uniform. The junior from Corinth, Texas "plays anywhere on the field, does everything asked of her and always puts the team first. She is definitely one of our main leaders on the team."
With a mixture of young and old, the Stars will provide much excitement up the middle this season. Britani Tripp, senior from nearby Edmond, is integral to the team's success in 2016. Tripp (nee' Soesbee) posted a goal and four assists last year and has five goals and eight assists in two years as a Star. Harvey said, "Tripp is experienced, technically very clean and will have to shoulder a lot of the goal scoring responsibilities this year."
Sara Ricks, a sophomore from Keller, Texas, is the returning leader in goals with five in 2015. Harvey said, "Ricks had a fantastic freshman year and really showed us a lot. We look for continued development from with great potential going forward."
Lawton native Victoria Little will also contribute much in her senior campaign. Coach Harvey said, "She has shown tremendous improvement and will certainly make this happen for us this year. Little brings an amazing attitude to the squad that proves invaluable."
Two freshmen round out the middle for the Stars this year: Kalen Castor from Muskogee, Okla., and Shaye Kerlin from Keller, Texas, both show great potential and will see significant playing time in their first year at OCU.

Defense

Arguably the most experienced unit on the team, Coach Harvey will lean heavily on the defense for leadership and consistency. Lopez has made 53 starts for OCU. Lopez shows "great leadership by example, composure and plays well from out back."
Redshirt senior and Midlothian, Texas product Kailea Atkins looks to pick up where she left off two years ago in providing leadership and direction for the defense.
Kayla McKenna, a junior from Las Vegas, adds skill and consistency to the squad. McKenna took a starting role as her sophomore season progressed, even filling in one contest at goalkeeper. Harvey said, "McKenna has tremendous pace and does anything for the team."
Brianna Demuth, although only a sophomore, gained valuable experience last year in seeing significant time as a rookie. "Brianna is a steady right fullback that has a tremendous attitude and will really improve, we expect great things from her."
Two freshmen round out the defensive squad with Laci Shipley and Jeanene Smith looking to contribute right away. Shipley aided Deer Creek (Okla.) to four state championships during her prep career. "Laci has shown well in training camp, while Jeanene is a central defender that shows great potential. Both will see the field a lot this season."

Goalkeeper

OCU boasts of two young but very capable netminders here. Kirsten Thomas is the lone returner and started all but one game last year. Thomas notched two consecutive SAC defensive player of the week honors last year and is the favorite to start in net this season. Harvey adds, "Kirsten is a great shot stopper who still has a lot to offer, great potential there."
Kristina Patterson, a freshman from Rockwall, Texas will challenge for time on the field and is also "a very raw and talented prospect for us."

OCU will head into the 2016 season picked to finish third in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
"We look to be very competitive in conference and are extremely excited to see the improvements made as the year progresses," Harvey said.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Kailea Atkins: D; 5' 2"; Senior

#11 Keeley Brewer: MF; 5' 7"; Junior

#3 Brianna Demuth: D; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#6 Felica Ellison: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#12 Victoria Little: MF; 5' 6"; Senior

#4 Syrina Lopez: D; 5' 4"; Senior

#16 Kayla McKenna: D; 5' 5"; Junior

#5 Vanessa Mendoza: F; 5' 7"; Senior

#7 Sara Ricks: MF; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#9 Britani Tripp: MF; 5' 5"; Senior

#1 Kirsten Thomas: GK; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#2 Laci Shipley: D; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#8 Kailea Atkins
: 5' 2"; Senior
: D

#11 Keeley Brewer
: 5' 7"; Junior
: MF

#3 Brianna Demuth
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: D

#6 Felica Ellison
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#12 Victoria Little
: 5' 6"; Senior
: MF

#4 Syrina Lopez
: 5' 4"; Senior
: D

#16 Kayla McKenna
: 5' 5"; Junior
: D

#5 Vanessa Mendoza
: 5' 7"; Senior
: F

#7 Sara Ricks
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: MF

#9 Britani Tripp
: 5' 5"; Senior
: MF

#1 Kirsten Thomas
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: GK

#2 Laci Shipley
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: D