Nov. 9, 2005

Charleston, SC - Under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Lenzo, the Citadel women's soccer program underwent major strides in the 2005 season.

Seniors Miriam Crawford, Lauren Merchant, Megan McAuliffe, Julie Austin, and Angie Ellenwood ended their great careers on Friday, October 28, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their devotion to building the foundation of a great soccer program here in Charleston will be remembered the most.

"I want to thank our five seniors," said Lenzo. "It is not easy for one's senior year to be a year of transition into the next phase of the program with a new coach. Julie, Miriam, Angie, Megan, and Lauren helped us lay the foundation for a strong program in years to come."

For the first time in school history, the women's soccer team won two out of the first three games. The wins were against VMI and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs beat the Keydets 2-1, with seniors Austin and McAuliffe providing the offense in the first win for coach Lenzo. In the 2-0 win over S.C. State, freshman Trinity Batye recorded her first collegiate goal and McAuliffe added her second goal of the season.

Freshman Sarah Burke paced the Bulldogs with three goals, recording those in the last five games of the regular season. Five Bulldogs led the team with one assist apiece. Burke, Austin, Holli Knox, Emily Haller, and Maggie Bryan accounted for the assists in 2005. Burke also led the way for the Bulldogs with seven total points. Sophomore keeper Brit Bunnell recorded 114 saves in 16 games played while Ellenwood tallied 62 saves in 12 games played. The Bulldogs traveled to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas and competed in the Ladyjack Classic where they played Texas State and host Stephen F. Austin. Senior forwards Miriam Crawford and Lauren Merchant were selected to the Ladyjack All-Tournament team over the weekend. Crawford tallied one goal over three shots on the weekend.

Within the final weeks of the regular season, improvement within the Bulldog defense was apparent. The Citadel held cross-town rival College of Charleston scoreless for the first half and held off nationally ranked Florida State for over 32 minutes.

"Though we did not enjoy the success in terms of results that we were hoping for, I am very proud of the steps we took this year in establishing a style of play," commented Lenzo.

The Dogs also battled Southern Conference foes Western Carolina and Elon to close games. The Catamounts squeaked by The Citadel 2-1 on October 16 in a game where Burke scored her first collegiate goal. On October 21, the Phoenix netted a goal in the final minute of the first overtime to edge The Citadel 3-2.

The Citadel women's soccer squad, returning all but five players next year, is looking forward to the opening of the 2006 season.