Texas Lutheran opens 2019 preseason with roster size of 28

SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran Women's Soccer started its 2019 preseason camp with a roster size of 28, which included 15 newcomers to the program.

 

"The fifteen new faces are mixing in and getting adapted to our system," said Larry Schaffer, who begins his eighth season with the Bulldogs. "The 13 returners have done a great job of leading by example and making the new ones feel a part of the family. I like what the staff and I see so far in the effort and the coachability of the players."

 

The Bulldogs open up the 2019 season with a non-conference match on Friday, Aug. 30 against new Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference member St. Thomas (Texas). The match is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff at TLU's Gustafson Field.

 

TLU opens regular conference play on Friday, Sept. 13 with a 6 p.m. road match against Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

 

The Bulldogs are led in 2019 by 2018 all-conference performers Bailey Nimtz (New Braunfels/Canyon) and Jaclyn Smolik (Katy/Katy). Both players are entering their senior seasons. Sophomore Monique Sierra (San Antonio/Taft) was named to the SCAC Honorable Mention squad.

 

Smolik was one of the top goal scorers in the conference a year ago. Her team-leading nine goals put her fourth in the conference.

 

Smolik played in all 16 matches and made 15 starts for the Bulldogs. She finished first on the team in total points, with 18. Smolik also led the squad in game-winning goals with four. She scored all four game-winners, all in conference action, against Southwestern, Schreiner (twice), and Austin College. 

 
Nimtz (New Braunfels, Texas), a junior midfielder, finished on a high note after also earning a spot, for the second consecutive year, on the SCAC Second Team. She was tied for third on the team in shots on goal (12) and third in total shots (25). She scored twice in TLU's SCAC quarterfinal match against Dallas.

 

Sierra scored four goals and added an assist in her freshman campaign.
   

The Bulldogs come off a 2018 season that ended with a quarterfinal draw in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships. The Bulldogs failed to advance in the tournament after falling in penalty kicks to the University of Dallas.

 

TLU ended 2018 with an 8-5-4 overall record and a 7-4-2 mark in the SCAC. The Bulldogs finished third in the 2018 SCAC regular-season standings.