2024 Women's Soccer Season Preview

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Conway, Ark. – Central Baptist College women's soccer kicks off the 2024 season tomorrow afternoon in Pine Bluff as they take on the Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Kickoff from the Pumphrey Soccer Complex is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

            "Last year we were top heavy," said head coach Thabo Masoga, who begins his second season at the helm. "We had a lot of talent in the starting 11 but not enough depth. This year, we have depth throughout the whole squad. That should free us up to do different things then we did last year."

            Nine players return from last year's 5-10-3 squad led by AMC first teamer Kitanna Richards, the junior midfielder. Joining her are Samara Hernandez, Lexie Sengmanivong, Danna Lozano, Julissa Arevalo, Sierra Victory, Jade Love, Karis Guthrie and Josie Gelsthorpe. "Sierra is a supreme athlete," said Masoga. "She gets better every year and this year she has the leadership role of a captain. Kitanna is probably our most accomplished player and she is a great player. Julissa is the most intelligent player we have. She just knows where the ball needs to go and understands the game. She would be the most likely one to be a coach after she's done playing."

            Joining the returners and trying to fill the void left by the departure of five all-conference performers from last season are Rebecca Vandenburg, Giaan Langford, Peyton Siebenmann, Jaycee Suarez, Elise Lockton, Myndy Zamora and Josslyn Reynolds. "The freshman we brought in are expected to be mainstays," said Masoga. "They are used to playing big minutes and that's what is going to be required."

            The Mustangs were picked to finish fifth in the AMC Preseason Coaches poll after placing in that spot last season. "We expect to be better than we were last year," added Masoga. "Last year tied some really good teams and beat some really good teams. We managed to get our highest seed ever and we want to be better than that. Teams like Columbia, Missouri Baptist William Woods, Harris-Stowe all recruit well, so it's going to be a battle. They know not to take us lightly after last year. We are trying to make sure that we are one of the top dogs in the conference. The conference is really good."

            The home opener is on Sept. 7, following two road matches to open the season, as a trip to Clarksville follows the opener in Pine Bluff. The Mustangs only leave Arkansas three times this season, all for conference matches. "We play an entertaining brand of soccer. We want the crowd to leave and say they saw something special."