Thirteen. That's the number of votes the Missouri Baptist University women's soccer team received in the 2009 NAIA Preseason Women's Soccer Poll. The Lady Spartan program will open their season on August 24th as one of the Top 40 teams in the country.
"We will be a top competitor in our conference based on our squad depth," said MBU Head Coach Deno Merrick. To win a conference title, The Lady Spartans, who finished second in the American Midwest Conference last season with a 7-3 mark will have to get past defending conference champions McKendree University. The Lady Bearcats were ranked 12th in the Preseason Poll.
In addition to McKendree, MBU will face two tough opponents in familiar AMC foe William Woods University and newcomer Park University. WWU finished a game behind MBU in the AMC last season.
"Our biggest challenge will be to play consistently to our ability despite our competition level," said Merrick.
Merrick will look to senior forward Taylor Hay , senior midfielder Amanda Renaud and sophomore midfielder Sarah O'Donnel to lead the Lady Spartan
offense once again this season.
MBU women's soccer will open its season at home against local NCAA Division III opponent Webster University on Monday, August 24th.
