2019 Coker Women's Soccer Season Preview

HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker University women's soccer team will turn to fresh faces to start the 2019 season. 

This season will be the first under new head coach Garrett Linquist, who has an extensive background in women's soccer. He was previously the director of the girl's goalkeeping program at Carolina Rapids Soccer Club, and he also held assistant coaching positions at Catawba College and University of Alabama at Birmingham. Sarah Hulett joins the program as an assistant coach after playing college soccer at Mississippi State University.

The team will return 21 players from last season and add eight new recruits. Going into this season, Linquist is optimistic about the group of new and returning players.

"The veterans are meshing well with the newcomers, and the older players are showing great leadership," said Linquist. "Working together as a team will be a key to our success this season."

The Cobras host Francis Marion on Sept. 5, before embarking on a three-match road trip to Barton (Sept. 7), Lander (Sept. 11) and USC-Beaufort (Sept. 14). South Atlantic Conference play opens on Sept. 18 when Coker faces Wingate, while Shaw comes to town on Sept. 21. September concludes with a match at Mars Hill on Sept. 29. October begins with a trip to Anderson (S.C.) on the 2nd, before the Cobras get set for a four-match homestand featuring Catawba (Oct. 5), Mount Olive (Oct. 9), Carson-Newman (Oct. 12) and Newberry (Oct. 16). October concludes with trips to Queens (N.C.) (Oct. 19), Tusculum (Oct. 27) and Converse (Oct. 31). The final regular season home match is set for Nov. 2 against Lincoln Memorial, while the regular season concludes at Lenoir-Rhyne on Nov. 6).

The challenge for the Cobras this season will be handling long stretches of consecutive road games. Working together as a team and playing as one unit is the way in which Linquist plans to have success at home and on the road. 

Linquist is excited about the changes within the program and is expecting to play a more organized and competitive style of soccer.

"I am excited to see growth, as a coach you're always excited to get things going," said Linquist.

The Cobras open up the 2019 season at home against Francis Marion on Sept. 5 at 7:00 p.m.