The LaGrange College women's soccer team is ready to take the next step in its evolution, as the Panthers will begin their 2021 season on Saturday, Feb. 13, with a 1:30 p.m. game against Berea at Callaway Stadium.
"Our team is working hard, and we could not be more excited to get back on the field," said junior captain Sydney Dailey. "Our freshmen this year have great potential. Our returners are hungry for a game. We are progressing day by day. We are thankful that we can play. It has been over a year since many of us have been able to play in a soccer game."
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The Panthers have 13 returning players in Maurie White, Audrey Harkness, Zoe Watts, Jasmine Middleton, Riley Hammett, Sydney Gipson, Jordan Alexis, Breanna Gay, Abby Miranda, Christina Shanahan, Taylor Hamm, Madison Demkowski and Dailey.
LC's eight newcomers include Leila Moss, Leia Avery, Erica Bower, Lauren Williamson, Nikki Longmoore, Sydney Saul, Rian May and Anna Brown.
The Panthers are scheduled to play eight USA South games from Feb. 13 – March 27. LC will host five games at Panther Field, including four straight to open the season.
The NCAA canceled championship events for Division III fall sports, but the USA South will still crown divisional champions. The top-four teams from the West and East division will qualify for the postseason.
The divisions will hold separate two-round tournaments. The West division, which includes LaGrange, will have its first-round games on April 3 and the championship on April 9. The higher seeds will host the games.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Head Coach Fred Wagenaar: "The upcoming season is unusual to say the least. We are practicing in the winter and playing in the spring in the middle of a pandemic. We are dealing with COVID-19 protocols, quarantines and wet fields. Despite all that, the LaGrange Panthers have remained optimistic, enthusiastic, dedicated and encouraging and supportive toward their teammates.
We are looking forward to playing games after a long drought, but no matter what happens, because of the attitude and character the players have shown over the past year, we already consider our season together a great success. It is a privilege to coach such a wonderful team."
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MEET THE CAPTAINS:
The Panthers will be led by three captains in Dailey, Hammett and Demkowski.
Dailey, a USA South Player and Rookie of the Week honoree, led the 2019 Panthers in points (19), assists (7) and game-winning goals (3). She was tied for fourth and 13th, respectively, in assists and points in the USA South.
Hammett, a natural-born leader, has been a steady force in the midfield for the Panthers over the last two seasons. She organizes the unit's attack and effectively transitions LC from defense to offense.
Demkowski is the defensive anchor for LC. She was named team MVP in 2018 and was a pivotal factor behind the Panthers posting six shutouts in 2019. Demkowski tallied her first collegiate point, with an assist, during a 4-0 win over Judson on Oct. 22, 2019.
KEEP IT GOING ZOE:
Watts' offensive production is going to be crucial for LC in 2021. During the 2019 season, the Jackson, Georgia, native was tied for first on the team with six goals and ranked third with 12 points.
She was named USA South Rookie of the Week on Sept. 3, 2018. Watts recorded a nine-point performance during her collegiate debut, featuring four goals and one assist in a 5-0 victory over Judson on Aug. 31, 2018.
STOP THOSE SHOTS MAURIE:
White made huge strides in net during her rookie season in 2019. She went 2-2 and led the team with a team-best 1.46 goals-against average. The LaGrange native earned the win and individual shutout during a 4-0 triumph over Talladega on Sept. 18, 2019. White turned away a career-high nine shots against eventual USA South champion Maryville on Oct. 27, 2019.
2019 HIGHLIGHTS:
The 2019 team finished with eight wins, the most for the program since the 2013 season. The win total is tied for the third most in a single season in the team's record book.
LC won five consecutive games from Sept. 8-21, outscoring its opponents by a combined margin of 16-2. During the surge, four of the victories were shutouts. The five straight victories were the most for the program since the 2003 campaign.
Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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