Orange Report to Campus, Begin Preseason Training

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse women's soccer is officially back on-campus. The Orange kicked off the preseason Wednesday, holding their first team meeting of the season before taking the field for their first practice of the year Thursday inside SU Soccer Stadium.

Players underwent physicals, met with compliance and support staff members and reviewed the preseason schedule Wednesday. The Orange laced up their boots Thursday, going through a multi-stage fitness test in the morning before hitting the pitch in the afternoon.

The team - minus junior midfielder Georgia Allen, who is in France with the England U20 Women's National Team for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup - ran though drills together for the first time this season, concluding practice with a scrimmage under the warm afternoon sun.

"The group has come together really, really well in a short span of time," head coach Phil Wheddon said. "I've been pleased with the attitude and work ethic, and we're going to get better day-by-day.

Back in the home of the 🍊 pic.twitter.com/qN9tMjQL0h
— 'Cuse Women's Soccer (@cusewsoc) August 2, 2018

BREAKING DOWN THE ORANGE
The 2018 Syracuse women's soccer squad is composed of 23 players, led by upperclassmen returnees forward Sydney Brackett, defender Taylor Bennett and midfielder Georgia Allen. Five freshman and four other newcomers join the program this season.

Redshirt Senior: Jordan Harris*
Senior: Drina Domic
Juniors: Brackett, Bennett, Allen, Victoria Hill, Alexis Darrow*
Sophomores: Kate Donovan, Molly Nethercott, Kailee Coonan, Kate Hostage, Shannon Aviza, Lola Akiwowo*, Mackenzie Vlachos, Stephanie deLaforcade*, Lysianne Proulx, Clarke Brown
Redshirt Freshman: Laurel Ness
Freshmen: Ally Wakeman, Marisa Fischetti, Abby Jonathan, Jenna Tivnan, Meghan Root
* denotes newcomer

WHAT LIES AHEAD
The Orange will continue their two-a-days of training ahead of their first - and only - preseason scrimmage. Syracuse hosts Rutgers at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 inside SU Soccer Stadium.

Syracuse opens the 2018 regular season against La Salle at 6 p.m., Aug. 16 at SU Soccer Stadium.

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