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2020-21 LADY WILDCAT WOMEN'S SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW

Posted

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – After playing several scrimmages in the fall the Lady Wildcats will open their 2020-21 soccer season February 7 on the road versus No. 19 Georgia Gwinnett in Lawrenceville, Georgia.   The Cats remain on the road on February 11 battling LSU-Alexandria in Alexandria and then taking on LSU-Shreveport on the 13th in Shreveport.

Bethel moves to the Mid-South Conference this season and will play 11 games in their new league. The home opener finds them battling an old foe in Freed-Hardeman on February 16.   It will be the 11th meeting between the two programs with Bethel holding a dominating advantage of 9-1. The Lady Cats travel to Cumberland University on the 21st. It will be the 12th meeting between the two with Bethel holding a 6-4-1 margin in the series. Another longtime opponent, No. 9 Martin Methodist is next as the Wildcats host the RedHawks on the 23rd.  MMC has dominated the series at 23-0-1. Bethel closes out the month against Georgetown on the 28th.

March 2 finds the Cats hosting Thomas More. The programs have never met. Four straight conference road games will face the Lady Cats next.  Bethel travels to Williamsburg, Kentucky to meet No. 18 University of the Cumberlands on March 7. They play at Life University two days later. On March 14 Bethel is at Campbellsville. The Lady Cats stay in the Commonwealth at nearby No. 11 Lindsey Wilson on March 16. Bethel closes out the regular season hosting UPike on the 21st and Shawnee State on the 23rd

The Lady Wildcats were picked to finish in a tie for fourth in the MSC Preseason Poll.  

Bethel finished 12-6-1 in 2019. The Cats had a 6-2 mark in the tough SSAC. Bethel was 6-3-1 at home. Coach Misty Aird begins her 21st season as head coach and sports a 223-140-20 mark.  Aird is 11th in wins among active coaches in the NAIA. She is the only female coach in the NAIA in the top 25 in wins.

The Lady Cats lost in the semi-finals of the SSAC Championships falling to No. 5 Martin Methodist.  Making their first appearance in the NAIA Championships since 2005, Bethel lost in heartbreaking fashion to Eastern Oregon 1-0 in the opening round of the national championships. It was the 11th appearance in the nationals for Coach Aird and a Lady Wildcat squad.  

Bethel will need to replace top scorer Janine Dennis who was 2nd team all-conference last season. Dennis finishing 11th in the nation with 22 goals. They also lost standouts in Danijela Kolaric and Cara Cook.

The Lady Wildcats return ten seniors. Goalkeeper Shanay Ricketts is back after recording 62 saves last year which earned her 2nd team all-conference honors.  Bethel also returns standouts in Shanay Wilkins, Elvira MartinJodi ButlerBrittany BrayCatherine Hatch, Molly Flynn, Marina Hamer and Sacha Gay Brown.

Newcomer Ashari Bowen from Essez College is expected to make an immediate impact.  

Coach Aird commented on her squad and upcoming season. "We are excited about our new players and just as excited about our returning players.  We look for big things out of each of them. Our seniors are amazing young student-athletes and have meant a lot to our program. The MSC is tough but we look forward to the challenge of competing in an outstanding league." 

 Protocol measures for teams, coaches and support staff  

  • MSC & NAIA guidelines are being followed. These guidelines include but are not limited to :

1 - Coach/Player education about how to slow/prevent the spread of COVID-19

2 - Daily screening, pre travel screening

3- Cleaning and sanitizing of materials and facilities used and to be used

4 – Bench & sideline maximums

5 - Masks being worn by all non-playing personnel on sidelines

6- Only approved and working personnel will be allowed on sidelines. This will be strictly enforced by Bethel Security 

Precautions for fans & staff –Outside the Playing Field

Seating at Wildcat Stadium limited to 33 percent (800 total including players, coaches, staff, band, cheer & fans)  

All fans are required to enter through main center gate. Only pass list approved by Athletic Director’s Office and Sports Information Office will be allowed….. 

Masks are to be worn by all fans and staff. 

  • Fans are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and sit outside the fence down either side of the stadium
  • Masks are to be worn at all times 
  • Family units should be seated together, respect and observe social distancing guidelines throughout Wildcat Stadium. Family units should share a bleacher row, maintaining six feet between families, with a row separating spectator groups
  • All fans must be seated. Fans will not be allowed to stand on upper foyer 
  • Tailgating is NOT permitted at any event
  • Only working and prior to the event approved personnel will be allowed in the press box and Holland room. This will be strictly monitored and enforced  
  • Selected home games will be video streamed. Fans can visit www.bethelathletics.com at a later date for details.  

Contact with student-athletes or staff, prior to or at the completion of games; whether in, on, or around the facilities, will be PROHIBITED

These measures are subject to change with further details to be posted at www.bethelathletics.com

Protocols for all other sports will be released soon at www.bethelathletics.com