Cougars get seven new players
June 24, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
The University of Regina Cougars women's soccer team has landed a group of seven.
Head coach Bob Maltman confirmed Wednesday the addition of seven players for the 2010 CIS season. Midfielders Megan Florizone, Jayde McFee and Zoe Threlfall, defenders Molly Glass and Nicole Westcott, forward-midfielder Tayler Firth and forward Melanie King have committed to the Cougars.
Firth (a product of Winston Knoll Collegiate), Florizone (LeBoldus High School), King (LeBoldus) and Westcott (Campbell Collegiate) are from Regina, Glass and McFee hail from Prince Albert and Threlfall is a product of Calgary.
"If there are two words to describe what we've done (with this recruiting class), it's 'speed' and 'flexibility,' " Maltman said. "I'm very comfortable that I've got the ability to move players into at least two positions.
"The other thing is, it's automatically going to enhance the competitiveness of the team in training sessions. In turn, that's going to make the team that's going to take the field for games that much better."
Maltman suggested all seven of the recruits had performed well at the Cougars' identification camp in January. That, along with their academic abilities and work ethic, convinced Maltman to add them to the roster.
The head coach wants to see more confidence with the ball and more pace among the Cougars' defenders, which he believes Glass and Westcott offer. The new midfielders will be asked to control the ball under pressure and also jump into the attack, where the new forwards are expected to provide an influx of speed and finishing ability.
Seven players from the 2009 Cougars (midfielders Randi Schmeichel, Natalia Hernandez-Solano and Chelsie Dorosh, defenders Nicole Renneberg and Katie Santha, forward Nakia Forsberg and keeper Linsay Barbier) won't return this season either because of graduation or because they're pursuing other interests. As a result, the new recruits will get an opportunity to jump right in.
"As it stands at present, I envision they'll all have a role to play this year," Maltman said. "We'll see when we get into training camp."