Women's Soccer August 21, 2019 Athletic Communications

New-look Hatters Open 2019 Season This Weekend

Stetson's 27^th season of women's soccer begins this weekend with a new coach, a new schedule and a whopping 15 new players on the 2019 roster.

First-year head coach Chris Bergmann and the Hatters begin a new era on Thursday when they welcome Grand Canyon to the Athletic Training Center for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Stetson also hosts Rollins, 1 p.m., Sunday. Both games will be streamed free on HatterVision.

Hired by the Hatters in the final days of 2018, Bergmann and assistant coaches Jordan Calabria and Lucas Zicher have spent much of the past eight months rebuilding the program and reshaping the roster. The 15 newcomers, along with 14 veterans have helped given Bergmann and his staff something last season's team sorely lacked: depth.

In order to help take advantage of that depth, Bergmann has been preaching a team-first attitude.

"It's been very exciting because half the team is new," he said. "It's all about the team. We have to play like a team. Our offense and defense are very team-oriented. It's all based on team movements."

Stetson's depth will be a key to Hatters' potential successes this year.

"I'm really impressed with our depth," Bergmann said. "It's done two things: create competition and allow players to play as hard as they can for as long as they can."

In addition to depth, a veteran presence will also be key. Leading scorer Lindsey Parent (4g, 2a) is back as is assists leader Nicole Foley (3 assists). ASUN All-Freshman honoree Erin McRae returns, as does senior goalkeeper Emily Plotz, who last season made 96 saves and carries 14 career shutouts into her final year with the Hatters.

Despite having less than three weeks of practice this fall, Bergmann is pleased with where the Hatters find themselves at the dawn of a new season.

"Our tempo and communication have been really good early on," he said. "We're winning the ball hard right now and being aggressive. We're refining everything."

With a new head coach and so many new players, Bergmann has relied heavily on his veterans to bring the team along in the spring and as the season approaches. Captains Parent and Marisa Maynes, form one-half of the team's leadership council along with McRae and senior Ellie Hackett.

"Our leadership council has been invaluable to us," Bergmann said. "They've helped guide the team, and they'll be a key for us as the season moves along."

Along with depth and competition, the Hatters have several on-field goals for the new season.

"I want us to be the hardest-working team on the field every day," Bergmann said. "We have to win the 50-50 battles. Can we win the ball back within seven seconds after losing it in transition? I don't want subpar performance. I want us to look back and say that was a great effort, something to be really proud of regardless of the score line."

Last season the offense -- or a lack thereof -- was a major problem for the Hatters. Stetson managed just 13 goals in 17 games on the way to a 4-10-3 overall record. The offense will need to improve in order for the Hatters to be successful in 2019, and that fact isn't lost on Bergmann.

"Obviously, to win you have to score," Bergmann said. "We're going to shoot the ball. This year we have a lot of shooters of the ball. We are constantly stopping practice when we see a player pass and they should have shot. It's a priority. I tell the players, 'You'll never be wrong shooting the ball.' I call it forward thinking."

Despite being picked to finish eighth in the 9-team ASUN, Bergmann is excited about the prospects for a successful season.

"I feel like the sky is the limit with this team," he said. "Collectively, on paper, we have a boatload of potential."

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Nicole Foley: MF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#23 Ellie Hackett: MF; 5' 8"; Senior

#13 Marisa Maynes: MF; 5' 6"; Junior

#4 Erin McRae: MF; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#7 Lindsey Parent: MF; 5' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Nicole Foley
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: MF

#23 Ellie Hackett
: 5' 8"; Senior
: MF

#13 Marisa Maynes
: 5' 6"; Junior
: MF

#4 Erin McRae
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: MF

#7 Lindsey Parent
: 5' 4"; Senior
: MF

Stetson University Athletics

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New-look Hatters Open 2019 Season This Weekend

Players Mentioned

#10 Nicole Foley

#23 Ellie Hackett

#13 Marisa Maynes

#4 Erin McRae

#7 Lindsey Parent

Players Mentioned

#10 Nicole Foley

#23 Ellie Hackett

#13 Marisa Maynes

#4 Erin McRae

#7 Lindsey Parent