Beavers Open 2015 Practice
August 06, 2015 | Women's Soccer
CORVALLIS – The Oregon State women's soccer team opened a new chapter today, as the team held its first training session of the 2015 season. The Beavers practiced on Paul Lorenz Field, as they began preparation for their Aug. 21 season-opener.
“We had a very good first day of practice,” said head coach Linus Rhode. “The intensity was awesome and we had a very good level of competitiveness. Overall it was excellent.”
Oregon State enters the season with a young squad that gained valuable experience in the 2014 campaign. The Beavers started six freshmen and 10 underclassmen last year. Junior Kathryn Baker will look to help OSU lock down their back-line, after starting all 40 games Oregon State has played the last two seasons. She will be joined by senior Gwen Bieck, who will aim to end her career on a high-note after spending last season as the Beavers' only upperclassman-starter.
“The energy today was great,” Bieck said. “Everyone was positive and they showed up ready to go. We worked hard and it was a good way to get the year started.”
Goalkeeper Bella Geist is coming off a stellar freshman campaign that saw her tally 126 saves, the second-highest total in Oregon State history. She notched three shutouts in her debut campaign and will be looking for an even better season in 2015.
The midfield will be anchored by junior Sabrina Santarossa, who contributed to the Beavers on both ends of the field last year and took the majority of the team's set-pieces. She will be joined by sophomore midfielders Kayla Latham, Miranda Stiver and Natalie Higgins.
Up front the Beavers will feature a combination of Nikki Faris, Maddie Misi and Emma Jones, all of whom saw extensive playing time in their first year with the Beavers. The trio proved to be a threat throughout the year, using their pace and athleticism to trouble opposing defenses.
Oregon State also welcomes in 10 new faces this year, many of whom will be looking to make an impact right away. One player headlining the group is defender Greta Espinoza, who spent the summer playing in the FIFA Women's World Cup as part of the Mexican National Team.
“The newcomers fit in great,” Rhode said. “They competed right from the very beginning, and they never sat back. The helped make the environment of practice really good.”
Oregon State will host an exhibition match against Trinity Western on Aug. 15 before it opens the season at Portland on Aug. 21. The Beavers' home opener will be Aug. 28 against Fresno State. For the full 2015 schedule, click here.
