Columbia College Soccer 2018 Season Preview
The Columbia College soccer team reports back to campus August 12th and is looking forward to another successful season in the Appalachian Athletic Conference in 2018.
The conference added another team since last season and is now up to 13 total teams, meaning that the Koalas will have 12 conference games on their schedule this fall. In addition, they will be facing 4 newcomers to the schedule in the regular season in the form of Shaw University, Francis Marion University, Piedmont International University, and Wesleyan College.
As a team, the Koalas finished 2017 with a 7-9-3 record and were 6-4-1 in the AAC, good for a 6th place regular season finish. They won their first round conference tournament matchup, before falling to Milligan College in the AAC Quarterfinal round.
The Koalas return a number of influential players as well as welcome in a recruiting class which has depth in quality, and will look to get off to a good start in their opening non-conference matchups.
Seniors in 2018 are top returning goalscorer Ruby Hallam, and midfielders Jaena Dominguez, Sarah DiPiazza, Mallorie Kelly, and Heather Blaszak. The group combined for 67 starts in 2017 and will be relied upon for their experience and leadership in helping a young team come together and gel towards a successful season.
Juniors include Courtney Carrier, Charlotte Daniels, and transfer AJ Gilmore, a smaller but supremely talented class who will all garner significant playing time throughout the season.
Sophomores returning in 2018 are Bailey Lewter, Brianna Sandoval, and Aleah Colbert, while Megan Probert returns to the program after a two year hiatus to add much needed experience and depth along the defensive line.
Incoming first year players include Zyanna Giles, Madeline Matusik, Lanie Treadwell, Jennifer Angeles, Lindsey Sightler, and Venus Sumpter, all of whom have vast experience in both the club and high school ranks and will look to assimilate quickly into the college game in their debut seasons.
The Koalas open with an away scrimmage at Guilford College on August 22nd before their first regular season game on August 26th when they visit Dalton State. Other highlights include a visit to 2017 AAC Regular season champions Bryan College, who the Koalas defeated in 2017, as well as senior day on October 20th against Shaw University.
For information regarding the Koalas schedule please check out the schedule page, and for any other questions, please contact Head Coach Robert Hunter at rhunter@columbiasc.edu