Dover, Del. (Aug. 1, 2018) --- Delaware State University third-year head women's soccer coach Kortney Rhoades likes what she sees in her young team upon the start of preseason camp this week.
“There's a lot to give me hope for the upcoming season,” said Rhoades, a star at Delaware's Padua Academy before a standout career at the University of South Carolina. “The returning players are in great shape, and are determined to learn and grow from last year's challenges, while our newcomers will certainly make us better.”
The Hornets return 13 players from their 2017 squad, including four seniors. DSU's 2018 roster also features six newcomers, including a Division I transfer and former junior college standout. “We were plagued by a lack of depth last year, but I believe those issues have been addressed this season,” said Rhoades. “Also, we struggled offensively last year, so we added players who are expected to give us more firepower.”
Topping the list of returning players are midfielders Samantha Bahr (sr.) and Braxton Clark (jr.), along with defender Toni Washington (jr.).
Bahr has two career goals, Clark was the team leader with three scores in 2016 and Washington has been a mainstay of the Hornets' defense since joining the team.
Daijah Washington (so.), the team leader with two goals as a freshman last season, also returns, along with veteran goal keeper Leslie Fazio (sr.) and 2017 contributors Samantha Wanzor (jr.), Alexa Gibbs (jr.), Katrina Silva (jr.), Kayleigh Leschinski (sr.), Jasmine Warren (jr.), Ashley Ventura (so.) and Jenna Wallace (sr.).
The new players include Army transfer Jade Jamison (jr.), who played in 35 matches in two seasons at West Point (2015-16) before enrolling at Delaware State.
Former junior college star Alyssa Coustenis (jr.) also joins the Hornets this year. She tallied 17 goals and six assists in 18 games as a freshman at Cape Fear Community College in 2015.
The Hornets have also added forward Savannah Ay (fr.), a prolific scorer at Oldsfield High School (Md.).
The Hornets are scheduled to play 19 contests this season, beginning with the Aug. 16 opener against Hartford at the DE Turf Sports Complex in Frederica (Del.). DSU's 2018 Alumni Stadium opener is Aug. 26 against Temple (2 p.m.), the first competition on the brand new stadium turf.
