Women’s soccer looking for improvement in 2014

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Intern

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon women's soccer team is making its final preparations for the regular season.

Entering the second season in the USA South Athletic Conference, head coach Robert Milner believes his team is in a good position to step up and make a push for the conference tournament.

"Our goal this season is to get to the conference tournament. We narrowly missed out on it last year, so that's a real emphasis this season," Milner said. "If we can turn the close losses and draws from last season into wins, I don't see why we can't be one of the eight teams to make it."

Last season, despite a 4-11-3 record, Huntingdon set the school's NCAA-era record for fewest goals allowed with 22 goals in 20 games, for an average of 1.15 goals per game.

Milner feels that two of the keys to the season will be to play stingy defense and to utilize the Lady Hawks' attacking options.

He is also encouraged by the competition between his returning players and newcomers and believes it will raise the team's overall level of play.

"We have a good combination of experienced and new players who are stepping up," Milner said. "We have a few transfers who are definitely standing out and some of the freshmen have stepped up and aren't afraid to open their mouths. Overall, there are more players who have stepped up this season than in the past and that is something I am very pleased with."

Huntingdon will open the season on Friday at Samford Stadium against Warren Wilson at 7 p.m. The Lady Hawks begin conference play against Meredith on September 20 at Samford Stadium.