WESSON – The Copiah-Lincoln Community College women’s soccer team enters the 2013 season hoping to build upon a 2012 campaign that featured a roster full of freshmen. During the 2012 campaign, there was only one returning player from the 2011 season, which means this team will have experience

The 2013 Lady Wolves will look to make strides the season with the leadership of eight returning sophomores include outside midfielder Abbie Graves of Roxie; outside defensive back Consuela Hadley of Laurel; outside defensive back April Gant of Laurel; forward Casherry Russell of Crystal Springs, MS; midfielder Caitlin Lofton of Natchez; forward Jane Bayless of Meadville; midfielder Shelby Strong of Wesson; and leading returning scorer Addison Wright St. Martin.

Fifteen new players, 13 true freshmen and two transfers, will join the program this season. Second year head coach David Strother believes his newcomers will mix well with the veterans.

Strother states, “This large incoming class is exactly what this program needed for us to begin the climb toward success for this program. As I recruited this season, I wanted to make sure that I was able to build around the ladies that I knew would be returning and help make us a competitive soccer team within the MACJC. I think that the competitive drive they will bring to this team is only going to make us stronger.”

Strother is encouraged by the work that his returners put in during the spring and believes their efforts have set the tone for a strong season in 2013.

“I’m so proud of the girls that are returning because they believe in what we are trying to do with this program,” said Strother. “Our objective for this season is to grow. We can grow from where we were last year, grow from where we begin in the preseason, and grow thru our schedule to where we want to be at the end of the season.”

Strother expects the South Division of the MACJC to be exceptionally strong once again. The MACJC state champion has come out of the South Division for eight years straight. Pearl River Community College and Jones County Junior College should both field strong teams in 2013.

The Lady Wolves open their 2013 campaign at home against East Central Community College with a 4 p.m. kickoff.