The Bears should boast a solid defense returning 4 starters including senior captain Kim Smith (Cincinnati, OH), juniors Amanda Plotts (Circleville, OH) and Julie Mahalik (Hillsboro, OH), and sophomore Amanda Jay (Dayton, OH).  All four possess great speed and strong defensive skills.   Freshmen Natalie Bacon (Batavia, OH) and Mary Kay Downing (Chillicothe, OH) join first year player Katie Garrison (Circleville, OH) to provide some much needed depth in the backfield.  "All of our defensive players can really play," said Coach Smith.  "This is the fastest group we've ever had on the defensive side of the ball."

The Bears face a major question mark in goal after losing 4-year starter Jessica Votaw to graduation.  Despite that, Coach Smith has strong hopes for the players who will step into the net this season.  Senior Kristi Barka (Grove City, OH) will get the first look.   Barka was an All-American Mideast Conference catcher on Shawnee State's softball team.  "She hasn't played soccer since high school, but she is one of the best athletes on the team," said Coach Smith.  "She has great hands and good instincts, and should adapt fairly quickly."  Backing up Barka are juniors Ashley Fender (Sardinia, OH) and Beth Eichelberger (Springfield, OH).

Leading the team at midfield is junior captain Kelly Hatas (Springfield, OH).  Hatas was an All-Conference Selection in '04.  She is the school's all-time assist leader with 16.  She needs just 2 points and 5 goals to become the career leader in those categories.  Also returning in the midfield are juniors Ashley Fender (Sardinia, OH), Courtney McKenzie (Sunbury, OH), and sophomore Jennifer Ruckel (Winchester, OH). Freshmen Kristie Jarrell (Springfield, OH) and Jennifer Yates (Manchester, OH) will also see significant time at midfield. 

On the offensive end, the bears return junior Lacey Simpson (Hammersville, OH), and sophomore Sarah Koehler Sardinia, OH).  Koehler set a Bears record with 11 goals in 2004. Koehler and Simpson were both named honorable mention All-American Mideast Conference. Incoming freshmen Amy Crain (Catlettsburg, KY) will likely start at striker.  She scored 49 goals in her career at Boyd County High School and was named 2nd Team All-State in Kentucky.

"Overall, we should have a really good season with the addition of the new players and the returnees that we have back.," said Smith.  "The team chemistry was a big roll last season for us and I think that this team will mold together even faster this season. I feel really good about this team. We have a good mix of upper-classmen to go along with a talented group of incoming players.  We are inexperienced in goal, but I think our increased team speed, especially on defense, will give us a good shot at the first winning season in school history."

The Shawnee State Women's Soccer team will open the season on Sept. 3 at Grace, In. The bears first home game will be Sept. 15 versus Ohio Valley University. Game time is 3:30 at the Shawnee State Field.