Head Coach Freddy Delgado and the UALR Trojan soccer team are set to begin the fall season after finishing the 2008 campaign with a record of 8-11-2  (4-6-1) and a berth in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament where they suffered a 2-1 loss to No. 1 seeded Denver.

Delgado, entering his second season, has noticed his team is a step ahead in some facets of the game compared to where they were at this exact same time last season.

“We’ve come into camp a lot more soccer ready and technically and tactically sound,” said Delgado. “The players understand expectations as far as fitness and style that we want to play. Soccer wise, we have come into camp a lot further ahead. One thing you always want to work on is chemistry and we are further along there too.”

The Trojans open the season Friday, Aug. 21 with a home match against Murray State. They will play eight regular season non-conference games before opening Sun Belt play against Troy on Friday, Sept. 25.

The Trojans return 12 letterwinners from last season’s squad, including seven starters. UALR is anchored this season by junior goalkeeper Jane Picarelli, who finished last season tops in the Sun Belt in saves with 121 and second in saves per game with 5.76. The North Richland Hills, Texas, native also recorded five shutouts in 2008 and was a big part of a Trojan defense which improved its goals against average to 1.44 from 1.77 the year before.

“You can tell Jane has worked very hard this summer,” said Delgado. “She came in very fit and has improved every single day. She’s a good presence for us and is leading by example.”

Also returning to help anchor the defense is sophomore defender Jacquelyn Paz and senior defender Heather Pittman, who returns after suffering a season-ending injury in just the fifth game of the 2008 season.

“Jane has very good chemistry with Jacquelyn and Heather and they really anchor the defense,” said Delgado. “Jacquelyn is progressing very well and had a tremendous season last year. She’s picking up right where she left off. Heather has worked hard with rehab, played this summer and worked in spring and it looks like she hasn’t missed a step.”

Another senior that looks to play a large role in the defensive rotation is Flower Mound, Texas native Erin Dawson.

“You can always expect constant work from Erin,” said Delgado. “She may not be the glitziest player out there but you need someone like her to be the constant work force. She’s very consistent and proves herself game after game.”

Leading the offensive charge in 2009 will be sophomore Christina Veasley, who started 18 of 21 games during her freshman season. The Alamogordo, N.M., native scored two goals and had two assists for the Trojans in 2008.

“Christina is one of the most dangerous attackers in the league,” said Delgado. “She combines athletic ability with soccer ability. She can beat you with speed, athleticism, with the pass or one on one. We are expecting big things from her and she has the ability to fulfill those expectations.”

Sophomore Rachael Maina returns as the top-scorer from a season ago as she finished with four goals. Maina also added two assists and gained valuable experience playing in 21 games last year, while starting four as a true freshman. Kristen Semko, also a sophomore, returns after finishing her freshman season with three goals and an assist.

UALR also sports an addition to the coaching staff in the 2009 season, as Chris McNaughton will serve as an assistant coach alongside Delgado. McNaughton comes to UALR after spending the previous three seasons at Lyon College where he led the Pipers to a 34-19-3 overall record.

“One of the reasons I hired Chris is because he was able to turn things around at his previous job,” Delgado said. “He brings a wealth of experience with him as far as getting across to players and having them buy into a system and gaining positive results.”

Four Trojan seniors make a mark on the 2009 roster and they include Alison Davis, Heather Pittman, Erin Dawson and Dana Sahd.

“We have a very talented senior class. They are a very good group of young women that are excellent on the field and in the classroom,” said Delgado. “They have been able to adapt to a new coach and style of play and have been good examples to our team. They have shown great leadership on and off the field and are extremely valuable.”

The four seniors will help mentor and bring along a very promising incoming freshman class, some of which have a chance to push for playing time in 2009.

“We have a very good incoming class,” said Delgado. “Each player brings her own sense of style and individuality. Olivia Carrasco and Kamiya Merrick are strong, fast and powerful and Dana Pearson is more technical and creative. Sara Hilton is an international player who has played in a lot of big time games and she brings maturity. Michelle Pittman has the ability to step in and fight for a starting position which has made Jane better.”

The Trojans, who in 2008 were 10th in goals per game in the Sun Belt Conference with 1.33, plan to improve that statistic thanks to a lot of individual technical ability and hard work with creativity on offense.

“We’ve worked very hard on showing creativity in the attack,” said Delgado. “We worked extremely hard this spring and I believe our newcomers and returnees have done a good job and we hope to improve this fall.”

With the beginning of the season fast approaching, the Trojans will again have their work cut out for them in a tough Sun Belt, a conference in which they finished eighth last season.

“The Sun Belt is always going to be very tough and I think we’ve made strides but it will be a difficult conference schedule,” said Delgado. “The conference is wide open and I think we have a very good chance at finishing this season high in the standings.”