HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team will begin its preparations for the 2014 season when it reports to campus on Tuesday.
 
The Lady Lions return nine starters from a 2013 squad that finished 14-4-5 overall, won the third Southland Conference Tournament championship in school history and made its second NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
On offense, sophomore Brianna Singh (nine goals, two assists in 2013), junior Casey Peacock (seven goals, six assists), sophomore Katie Noonan (four goals, three assists) and junior Kayla Vera (three goals, five assists) are among the top returners for SLU. Southeastern scored 44 goals and was credited with 46 assists a season ago.
 
Three starters return from a defense that held opponents to 16 goals and recorded 11 shutouts last season. A pair of 2013 All-Southland performers - Chelsea Villaescusa and junior Erin Christ – return, along with sophomore Alexsis Cable all are back to highlight a talented SLU back line.
 
Anchoring the Southeastern defense is sophomore goalkeeper Hope Sabadash, who was named the 2013-14 Southeastern Athlete of the Year and the 2013 Southland Tournament MVP. The first team All-Region, All-Southland and All-Louisiana selection finished the season with a 0.67 goals against average and nine shutouts.
 
Southeastern will open the season with a 4 p.m. contest at Jackson State on Aug. 22. The Lady Lions open their home schedule on Aug. 24, welcoming Louisiana-Lafayette for a 4 p.m. match. Admission to all Southeastern home matches is free.
 
SLU opens Southland Conference play on Sept. 19, hosting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 4 p.m. at the Southeastern Soccer Complex. The Lady Lions will also host league foes McNeese State (Sept. 21), Central Arkansas (Oct. 10), Sam Houston State (Oct. 26) and Nicholls State (Oct. 31).
The Lady Lions will travel to face Southland foes Incarnate Word (Sept. 26), Abilene Christian (Sept. 28), Lamar (Oct. 5), Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 17), Northwestern State (Oct. 19) and Houston Baptist (Nov. 2). The top six teams in the Southland Conference standings will compete in the Southland Conference Tournament on Nov. 6-9 in Beaumont, Texas.
 
2014 Southeastern Louisiana Women's Soccer Schedule
Aug. 22 – at Jackson State – 4 p.m.
Aug. 24 – Louisiana-Lafayette – 4 p.m.
Aug. 28 – at Alcorn State – 4 p.m.
Aug. 31 – at Texas Southern – 1 p.m.
Sept. 5 – Louisiana-Monroe – 4 p.m.
Sept. 7 – Southern Miss – 4 p.m.
Sept. 12 – at Memphis – 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 – Mississippi Valley State – 4 p.m.
Sept. 19 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi* – 4 p.m.
Sept. 21 – McNeese State* – 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 – at Incarnate Word* - 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 – at Abilene Christian* - 1 p.m.
Oct. 5 – at Lamar* - 1 p.m.
Oct. 10 – Central Arkansas* - 4 p.m.
Oct. 17 – at Stephen F. Austin* - 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 – at Northwestern State* - 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 – Sam Houston State* - 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 – Nicholls State* - 3 p.m.
Nov. 2 – at Houston Baptist* - 1 p.m.
Nov. 6-9 – at Southland Conference Tournament# - TBA
 
Southeastern home matches in bold
* - Southland Conference match
# - Beaumont, Texas
All times Central and subject to change