Fayetteville’s class of 2006 lost two conference matches in three years and were state finalists in 2004 and 2006, losing the state-title game both times to long-standing nemesis Rogers — the three-time defending state champion. The class of 2006 accounted for 12 players and eight starters on the Lady Bulldog side that finished 19-5 last season.
Among those dozen were University of Arkansas signees Sophie Wentz (center midfielder ) and Jackie Booker (keeper ), Alabama A & M signee Brittan Thomas (midfielder / forward ) and UALR signee Caroline Renz (defender ). The class of 2006 also included the Lady Bulldogs’ leading scorer over the last three seasons, forward Lauren McCloy, and indefatigable outside midfielder Kelly Carpenter.
While coach Samir Haj does lament the talented group’s departure, he doesn’t think it sounds the death knell for Lady Bulldog soccer, which won four consecutive state titles from 1998 to 2001.
“ I don’t see it as the end of an era, ” Haj said. “ I think we still have enough talented kids to continue the tradition. That tradition is important to the kids who have been part of a successful program and to the new kids who want to continue it. ”
Only two starters return from last year, giving the Lady Bullldogs their most inexperienced side since 2003 — the 2006 class’ freshman year. Relying heavily on those freshmen, the 2003 team finished 16-2 but missed the state tournament for the only time in the history of the Lady Bulldog program.
Haj said the 2007 side can compete for one of the 7 AWest Conference’s top four spots. The top six teams advance to the state tournament.
Senior Kathryn O’Leary is a three-year starter at sweeper. Haj said the Lady Bulldogs may deploy a flatfour formation in the back, as opposed to the diamondfour alignment, with a sweeper, two marking backs and defensive midfielder, they’ve relied on for many years. Haj said O’Leary would be a center back if the Lady Bulldogs use the flat-four alignment.
“ The diamond back four has a lot of advantages to it, ” Haj said. “ You need a reliable, dependable person in the back as a sweeper to use it, which Kathryn has been for three years. You also need a defensive midfielder that can win balls and move forward. Amie Farmer was one of the better ones who did that for us last year. ”
Sophomore Elizabeth Brady is the other returning starter. Brady started at marking back last year as a freshman. Haj said Brady will play center midfielder this year. Brady will add to the Lady Bulldogs’ experience in the front.
Sophomore Brooke Overbey will be at the prow of Fayetteville’s attacking six. As a freshman, Overbey was interchangeable at forward and midfielder and displayed a high work rate. Karen Sosa will join Overbey as a front runner. The junior showed flashes of technical virtuosity last year, scoring several goals.
Freshman Sarah Correll is also slated to join the attacking six in the midfield. Haj likened her to Brady, who showed a precocious skill set as a freshman.
“ She has the same type of ability Elizabeth had last year as freshman, ” Haj said.
Sophomore move-in Erin Miller from Texas is charged with filling the void between the pipes left by Booker, a three-year starter at keeper.
“ She’s small size wise, but she has good technical skills and is pretty talented, ” Haj said.
Haj said skill development rather than tactics has been the focus of this offseason. The Lady Bulldogs have spent the winter months training inside the old Boys & Girls Club adjacent to Harmon Field. The facility’s pool has been filled in with concrete with a turf playing surface installed on top of the concrete.
“ We need to have skills before we can start focusing on making decisions, ” Haj said. “ We’re trying to bring everyone up to speed technically and improve their fitness. Last year, we basically did a lot of tactical work with a little fitness work. ”