TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State University's soccer team kicked off the 2017 season with its first official training session Wednesday morning under first year head coach Graham Winkworth. The Sun Devils are scheduled to hold two-a-day practices for the remainder of the week before hosting a Maroon and Gold scrimmage at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 6.
"You can tell a lot of the ladies have worked hard over the summer," Winkworth said. "I am really happy with the majority of the team's level of fitness. This means we can get to work on the more enjoyable part of soccer quicker. The mentality of the team is excellent."
Arizona State will start the season on the road with an exhibition match at CSUN on Saturday, August 12 at 2 p.m., before returning to Tempe to face Ohio State on Friday, August 18, and Beijing Normal on Sunday, August 20.
Season Outlook
Arizona State returns eight starters, including goalkeeper Megan Delaney, who posted two of the Sun Devils' four shutouts last season.
Seniors Taylor Coon and Madison Stark anchor the defense as the most experienced players in the back four. Coon appeared in 17 games last season, while Stark has made 56 starts in the past 58 contests through the last three seasons.
Coming off a brilliant freshman season in which she started all 19 games, sophomore Devyn Kelsey joins Coon and Stark on defense. Kelsey was the only Sun Devil to start all 19 games in 2016, and recorded one assist in her freshman campaign.
Seniors Jessica Raybe and Jazmarie Mader return as the top goal-scorers for the Sun Devils. Mader scored eight goals in 12 games last year and enters the season as ASU's career leader in goals (12) and points (27) among active players. Raybe's 31-starts and 56-appearances over the last three seasons anchor her as the most experienced player on the front line. She ranks second in goals (7) and points (15) among players on the 2017 roster.
Junior Natalie Stephens compliments the veteran attackers as another experienced player, having started in 15 games last season.
Redshirt-sophomore Kylie Miniefield returns as the only starting midfielder. Miniefield made 16-starts and posted two-assists last season. Senior Madison Kmetko is also back in the lineup as the most experienced midfielder on the squad, with 41 games played.
"This team has gotten close very very quickly," Winkworth added. "The older girls have done a tremendous job of supporting the new girls and that has helped them settle in quickly. There is a lot of chemistry considering it is only day two. That is the base, and we will build on that. We have a lot of talented players and there is a lot of competition here. Over the next week or so, players will battle it out for positions and I am excited to watch that battle."
Newly-appointed head coach Graham Winkworth begins his first season at the helm of Sun Devil Soccer after transforming the South Alabama women's soccer program into one of the top mid-major programs in the country.
"You can tell a lot of the ladies have worked hard over the summer," Winkworth said. "I am really happy with the majority of the team's level of fitness. This means we can get to work on the more enjoyable part of soccer quicker. The mentality of the team is excellent."
Arizona State will start the season on the road with an exhibition match at CSUN on Saturday, August 12 at 2 p.m., before returning to Tempe to face Ohio State on Friday, August 18, and Beijing Normal on Sunday, August 20.
Season Outlook
Arizona State returns eight starters, including goalkeeper Megan Delaney, who posted two of the Sun Devils' four shutouts last season.
Seniors Taylor Coon and Madison Stark anchor the defense as the most experienced players in the back four. Coon appeared in 17 games last season, while Stark has made 56 starts in the past 58 contests through the last three seasons.
Coming off a brilliant freshman season in which she started all 19 games, sophomore Devyn Kelsey joins Coon and Stark on defense. Kelsey was the only Sun Devil to start all 19 games in 2016, and recorded one assist in her freshman campaign.
Seniors Jessica Raybe and Jazmarie Mader return as the top goal-scorers for the Sun Devils. Mader scored eight goals in 12 games last year and enters the season as ASU's career leader in goals (12) and points (27) among active players. Raybe's 31-starts and 56-appearances over the last three seasons anchor her as the most experienced player on the front line. She ranks second in goals (7) and points (15) among players on the 2017 roster.
Junior Natalie Stephens compliments the veteran attackers as another experienced player, having started in 15 games last season.
Redshirt-sophomore Kylie Miniefield returns as the only starting midfielder. Miniefield made 16-starts and posted two-assists last season. Senior Madison Kmetko is also back in the lineup as the most experienced midfielder on the squad, with 41 games played.
"This team has gotten close very very quickly," Winkworth added. "The older girls have done a tremendous job of supporting the new girls and that has helped them settle in quickly. There is a lot of chemistry considering it is only day two. That is the base, and we will build on that. We have a lot of talented players and there is a lot of competition here. Over the next week or so, players will battle it out for positions and I am excited to watch that battle."
Newly-appointed head coach Graham Winkworth begins his first season at the helm of Sun Devil Soccer after transforming the South Alabama women's soccer program into one of the top mid-major programs in the country.