JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps women's soccer team is preparing to take on the 2023 season with an experienced squad of 16 returning student-athletes, led by second-year head coach Dakota Rock.
 
The Majors look to build off of last season's defensive efforts, including the fewest goals allowed (24) and most shutouts garnered (five) since 2009. Millsaps also adds six student-athletes (four freshmen, one sophomore and one junior transfer). Lauren Samford also joins the coaching staff as assistant coach after competing at Hardin-Simmons and Belhaven.
 
Back after impressing across the conference last season include four 2022 All-SAA Honorable Mention competitors. They are junior midfielder Chloee Beebe, sophomore forward Alexa Dubrow, sophomore goalkeeper Emily Lozano and graduate forward Mary Ranager.
 
Beebe leads a bevy of returning midfielders that should continue to contribute in sophomore sibling Myah Beebe, fellow sophomores Julia Gaude, Eliza Maria McMillan, juniors Ana Cuesta, Richelle Sanchez and senior Beyla Bleichner. Bleichner and Gaude both tallied two goals, while Cuesta and McMillan each scored once in 2022.
 
Dubrow and Ranager were two of the Majors' best threats offensively. Dubrow along with fellow forward Nicole Balduccini tallied two assists. Balduccini also scored once, while Ranager paced the squad with four strikes. Splitting valuable time between forward and midfield will be fifth-year student-athlete Riley Ely. Ely provided the most shot attempts on the team with 16 as a senior.
 
Expect the defensive line to hold strong again with three returners, junior Andy Webb and sophomores Ally Hearn and Ella Smithweck. Webb appeared in all 15 matches a season ago, while Hearn and Smithweck saw time in 14 contests.
 
The goal will be kept in good hands courtesy of sophomore goalkeeper Emily Lozano and junior Isabella Locke. Lozano recorded four shutouts in 13 matches and posted a 1.67 goals against average as a freshman. She also tallied three, 10-save performances, including a shutout victory over Belhaven. Her 78 saves ranked second across the Southern Athletic Association.
 
Locke appeared in three matchups, totaling 14 saves and helping combine for the team's fifth clean sheet. The five shutouts were the most the Majors produced since 2009.
 
Junior transfer and midfielder Lily Butcher will look to make an impact in the starting lineup after seeing action in 15 matches for East Central Community College last season. Butcher generated 10 shots on goal with a goal and an assist as a sophomore.
 
Also joining the team are rising freshmen defender Reese Brasseaux, midfielder Alex Bremond, midfielder Becca Quick and Mollie Spradley along with sophomore forward Ashanti Lastrapes. Lastrapes' speed should be a factor as she was a sprinter her freshman campaign for the Millsaps women's track and field program. Dubrow and Hearn also competed in track in sprinting events last spring.
 
The Majors will begin the regular season against Huntingdon in the Millsaps Classic at Harper Davis Field, Sept. 1. The regular season features 10 home matches before the SAA Tournament gets underway, Oct. 28.
 
2023 MILLSAPS WOMEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE
 

DATE	OPPONENT	TIME (CT)
Tuesday, Aug. 22	at Mobile (Exhibition)	5:30 PM
Friday, Aug. 25	vs. Hinds (Exhibition)	6 PM
Friday, Sept. 1	vs. Huntingdon (Millsaps Classic)	2:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 2	McMurry vs. Huntingdon (Millsaps Classic)	12 PM
Sunday, Sept. 3	vs. McMurry (Millsaps Classic)	2 PM
Thursday, Sept. 7	at ETBU	7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 9	at LeTourneau	5 PM
Monday, Sept. 11	vs. Delta State	5 PM
Sunday, Sept. 17	at Centenary	1 PM
Wednesday Sept. 20	vs. Mississippi College	6:30 PM
Friday, Sept. 22	vs. Rhodes	7:30 PM
Sunday, Sept. 24	vs. Piedmont	11 AM
Tuesday Sept. 26	at Huntingdon	6 PM
Saturday, Sept. 30	at Hendrix	7:30 PM
Friday, Oct. 6	at Berry	6:30 PM CT
Sunday, Oct. 8	at Oglethorpe	11 AM CT
Tuesday Oct. 10	vs. Belhaven	6:30 PM
Friday, Oct. 13	vs. Sewanee	7 PM
Sunday, Oct. 15	vs. Centre	11 AM
Saturday, Oct. 21	vs. BSC	5 PM
Oct. 28	SAA First Round	TBD
Nov. 3	SAA Semifinal	TBD
Nov. 5	SAA Final	TBD

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps women's soccer program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.