The John Brown University women's soccer team can't afford to look at the past -- no matter how good the last two seasons have been.
JBU followed up a stellar 14-4-3 2013 campaign -- which included a Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament championship and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament -- with another strong year in 2014, finishing with an 11-5-3 mark and reaching the SAC Tournament championship again.
But that was then, and this is now.
JBU reported back to campus for preseason training on Aug. 10, following a week-long mission trip to Penitas, Texas, and of the 20 players on the Golden Eagles' roster, 10 are freshman.
"We really try and say we're not going to look in the past," said third-year head coach coach Kathleen Paulsen, who is 25-9-3 in two seasons at JBU. "Our main focus is, how can we get better? We're really committed to the process of every day how do we get better and how do we move forward? We don't want to focus on results. Results will be a byproduct of doing things well. I think the process is important and it will get us there."
After more than a week of two-a-day practices with workouts toning down this week, the Golden Eagles open their season on Friday at 5 p.m. at William Carey in Hattiesburg, Miss. They'll go from there to Mobile (Ala.) to play at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Golden Eagles have already played two scrimmages, defeating the '98 Arkansas Comets club team 8-0 last Thursday and then winning 2-0 against Missouri Southern.
The Golden Eagles return two All-Sooner Athletic Conference first team players, including the reigning three-time SAC Defensive Player of the Year in senior goalkeeper Kristen Morency.
Morency (5-foot-9) is second in program history with 34 wins and 26 shutouts in goal.
"I'm excited for Kristen," Paulsen said. "She's played well the last three years. She's a rock in the back. We look to her for a lot of leadership."
Junior Hannah Poor (5-2) of Siloam Springs and freshman Lauren Marsh (5-10) are backing up Morency in goal.
JBU will take a 4-3-3 shape, utilizing four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
Senior Julie Whitlow (5-8) of Rogers Heritage has been a four-year starter for the Golden Eagles and heads up the group of defenders. She was All-SAC second team a year ago.
"She's consistent," Paulsen said of Whitlow. "She makes great decisions out of the back. The team looks to her as well. She's an emotional leader on the field. The team loves her."
Seniors Alex Fahr (5-4) and Nicole Kosin (5-7) are veteran players in the mix at defender, while sophomore Samantha Weber also played on last year's team.
Freshman Annika Bos (5-9), a three-time All-State player for two-time defending 6A champion Siloam Springs, is also making an impact at the center back position.
"She's been great," Paulsen said of Bos. "She's fit in well with the team. She's played center back most of her career."
Poor and sophomore Sarah Hill (5-5) also are getting playing time at defender.
In the midfield, sophomore Sara Frey (5-5) returns after an All-SAC first team season a year ago in which she scored seven goals and tallied six assists as a freshman.
She earned All-freshman team honors and was JBU athletics' freshman of the year.
"She had a great year," Paulsen said of Frey. "The challenge for her I think is just becoming a consistent player day-in and day-out. She works hard at training. You know what you're going to get."
Two-time All-SAC selection Sara Lachance (5-11), a junior, returns in the midfield after scoring three goals and two assists in 2014.
"Lachance is a huge piece of the puzzle," Paulsen said. "She can impact the game."
Poor, who might be the most versatile player JBU has, can also play in the midfield.
"Hannah Poor will play everywhere, wherever we need her," Paulsen said. "Love her for that."
Kosin is listed as a midfielder, though she's been getting a heavy look on defense.
Freshman Tainara Oliveira (5-5) of Brazil and freshman Melody Hagen (5-7) also play in the midfield.
At JBU's three forward positons, the Golden Eagles will look to several freshman on their roster.
Freshman Jastin Redman (5-7), who scored five goals in a recent scrimmage against the Comets on Thursday and another goal against Missouri Southern, is one prospect.
Aspen Robinson (5-7) is another and she also had a goal in Thursday's exhibition.
Redman and Robinson are both from Littleton, Colo., and both played together on the Colorado Rush club team.
Freshmen Anna Brown (5-8) and Anne Metz (5-8) also play up top.
"All our freshmen forwards are exciting," Paulsen said. "They bring different tools to our team."
Poor also can play forward -- her listed position on the roster.
Three JBU players -- Kristen Howell, Kathryn Huff and Lauren Tonkovich -- will be taking medical redshirts this season.
The Golden Eagles were picked to finish second in the Sooner Athletic Conference by the league coaches.
JBU plays a tough schedule to open the season with five of its first six games against teams either in the Top 25 or receiving votes.
"It's a brutal schedule, but I did it on purpose," Paulsen said. "We have some very, very good teams that we are playing. We might struggle early, but I think it will be good for us. ... You've got to know the best to beat the best."
Mission trip to Texas
The Golden Eagles spent nearly a week in early August in Pentias, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border running a free soccer camp for kids 6-18 and leading a nightly worship service in conjunction with a church from Austin, Texas.
It's the same place JBU went three years ago with then-coach Scott Marksberry, when the current seniors were freshman.
"I thought it would be really cool to return for their senior year," Paulsen said.
The team used the trip as a bonding experience but also one to serve with a higher purpose in mind.
"There's not a better way to connect together than to serve together," Paulsen said.
Sports on 08/19/2015