JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State head soccer coach Neil Macdonald welcomed his first JSU squad to campus on Tuesday as they begin preparations for the 2013 season that will get kicked off on Aug. 23.
Macdonald, who came on board in February, greeted 25 players campus, including 12 new faces to Jacksonville. Macdonald's squad features a unique situation with no seniors on the 2013 squad. The first-year coach's team will be an experienced team with 14 juniors and sophomores combined that saw a lot of time on the pitch last season. The Gamecocks are coming off a 10-8-2 overall mark in 2012, the most wins in a season since 2003.
Sophomore Kelsey Bright, JSU's top scoring threat last season, returns to build on the foundation she established as a freshman. The Kingwood, Texas-native led the Gamecocks in scoring with eight goals and carded three assists. Bright was named to the Ohio Valley Conference Second Team along with a spot on the leagues All-Newcomer squad. After a solid two seasons in the red and white, junior Courtney Hurt will be called upon for guidance. The Huntsville, Ala.-product ranked second behind Bright in goals netted with seven. Hurt also posted five assists on 27 total shots. Junior Jackie Rush and sophomore Brianna Boutziouvis will add scoring depth as the duo combined for seven goals during the 2012 campaign.
The 2013 season will get started on Friday, Aug. 23 with visit to the state of Louisiana. JSU will open the season at McNeese State before moving on to Lafayette, La. to test the Ragin Cajuns of Louisiana. After the opening weekend in Louisiana, the Gamecocks remain on the road to compete in the Nike Tournament in Charleston, SC on Aug. 30 and Sept. 1. JSU will square off with The Citadel on the first day of the event and take on Charleston Southern to wrap up the weekend.
Jax State opens its nine-match home schedule on Friday, Sept. 6 against in-state foe Alabama A&M. The Gamecocks and the Trojans of Troy renew their rivalry on Sept. 13 as Troy visits Jacksonville for a Friday evening affair. JSU will open a season-longest four-game homestand on Sept. 20 as it welcomes its third in-state program to the JSU Soccer Field. JSU and Alabama State will face off on Friday, Sept. 20. The homestand features the final non-conference tilt with Georgia State on Sept. 22. JSU opens the OVC slate against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State on Sept. 27 and Sept. 29 respectively.
JSU will only have three home matches during the month of October as five of the last eight matches will be played away from the confines of the JSU Soccer Field.
