Bolivar, Mo. - The Bearcats Soccer team comes into the 2011 season with high expectations, and experience to help back up their number three preseason ranking, even though they finished the 2010 season 6-9-3.

The Bearcats had many positive things come from the 2010 season where they defeated nationally ranked Quincy, compiled four different MIAA Athlete of the Week winners, and were sitting 5-3-2 with a legitimate shot at Nationals, before injuries derailed the remainder of the season. “Last year we were looking for seven or eight starters from the girls we brought in,” head soccer coach Robert Podeyn stated. “We went through some growing pains because of that. This year we aren't in that position. We have a really good strong core, and most of the athletes we are looking to start are upperclassmen.”

This year the Bearcats will turn to their four captains, seniors Marene Gomez and Kelly Isaac, and juniors Megan Link and Halee Ruckman, to provide leadership for a young Bearcat team. “I've seen quotes that say leaders are born, and not made,” Coach Podeyn commented. “But that is incorrect. You have to make them, you have to set expectations, create guidelines for them. What you want, what you expect, and the team has to do the same. We've spent the summer developing these four ladies. We have four excellent leaders, certainly the best we've had since I have been here.”

The Bearcats return All-MIAA goal keeper, Megan Link, and Paige Hemphill to the goalie position, along with adding newcomer Rebekah Dowd. “Megan has blossomed into what I feel is one of the best goalkeepers in the country,” Coach Podeyn stated. “She just hasn't had the team in front of her to prove it, and I am hoping that is where we are now. We've got a good solid group, and good depth, so she will have a chance to show she is one of the top goalkeepers in the country. Paige is probably one of the top five goalies in the conference. Her game is different. Megan is 5-8 and dominates in the air, very strong and physical goal keeper. Paige is very quick and very technical, probably better technically than Megan, just not that physical presence."

The Bearcats also return three of their four starting defenders. Experience and health will play a vital role in the success of the Bearcat defense. “Defense was a concern for us last year,” Coach Podeyn commented. “We gave up too many goals and made too many mistakes, but a lot of that was attributed to injury. From what I saw in the spring, when we are healthy and working together, we are in very good shape.” The Bearcats do return two captains, Marene Gomez and Halee Ruckman, to the defense, leaving one open starting position. “We've got a few new players competing for the open spot, and pressuring the returners in case they don't do their job,” Coach Podeyn stated. “Marene and Halee are both captains, and both great leaders. Marene is the glue of the defense, team encourager, and does a really good job of keeping everyone on the same page. Halee is a workhorse, and is our most consistent defender. She does things simply and correctly. Brittany Smith missed last year due to injury, but she is an enforcer in the central part of the defense. She is a strong, physical player who is not afraid to go in and tackle and challenge the ball."

The Bearcat midfield is a unique position with a lot of change coming into the 2011 season. The Bearcats play a triangle midfield, with two attacking and one defending. Senior captain, Kelly Isaac and junior Ashley Creason will make the up attacking portion of SBU's midfield. “We have the strongest midfield since I've been here, which is nice,” Coach Podeyn commented. “Kelly Isaac is a very smart player, very gifted technically. She see's the field on a different level, and creates a lot of chances for us. She's definitely our playmaker. We've also taken Ashley Creason from forward to midfield. She's very strong technically and reads the field very well.” The defending portion of the midfield is still up for grabs, however Coach Podeyn has a lot of ideas as to who will fit into that position. “Marin Gelsheimer has been a strong player for us this preseason. We have also seen a lot of good things out of Alex Cantrell, who has really raised the level of her play and done an exceptional job. Christina West is a returning player who reads the game very well and knows how the system works.”

The final and biggest challenge for the Bearcats in the upcoming 2011 season will be the forward position. Coach Podeyn addressed the issue this offseason, and brought in many new faces. “This year we needed to bring in attackers,” Coach Podeyn stated. “I went out and got Caitlin Suerig, Amanda White, and Heather Seger who are all very quick players, very attack minded kids who each have their own elements and dynamics for the game. They have helped us become a team that is very fast in transition going from defense to offense. They give us an immediate weapon for offense anytime we get the ball.” Brittani Ready also returns for the Bearcats. Before knee injuries slowed Ready down, she was ranked 4th in the nation in assists, finishing in the top 10. “Her serve is a driven, deadly, accurate ball,” Coach Podeyn commented. “She puts it exactly where it needs to be every time. She is deadly with that.”

The Bearcats bring back a similar staff to previous years', with assistants Dean Grey and Marcia Silva, but also bring a new assistant, Meghan Zayas. “As much as the players work hard, and do their best, we have an excellent group of assistant coaches,” Coach Podeyn exclaimed. “All three are hungry to learn, want to be successful, and bring that same attitude to work: you train hard every time we take the field. That makes my job easier, so they can help motivate me, and I can help motivate them.”

The Bearcats will enter into the 2011 season ranked third in the pre-season conference polls. When asked how he plans to meet the goals he has set for his team, Coach Podeyn responded by saying “everything is accomplished through hard work and prayer. I try to emphasize to the players that we have to work hard every single session. Our goal is that when we do train, we are outworking every single team in the conference.”

SBU kicks of their 2011 season when they travel to Quincy, Illinois to take on Quincy University on September 2, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.