By: Curtis Ford
GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University women's soccer team opens its 2023 campaign with a pair of weekend road contests. The Tigers face Murray State at 5 p.m. Friday before traveling to the "Show Me State" for a tilt versus Southeast Missouri State at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
GSU enters the year coming off its fourth Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship game appearance in five seasons.
Grambling State, who has been a beacon of consistency in the conference, returns a team led by veterans and bolstered by a bevy of new pieces to strengthen the Tiger roster. Eight players return from last season's roster.
Six of GSU's returners were named to the SWAC Preseason All-Conference teams.
Beatriz Kretteis,
Samantha Diaz,
Adrianna Pratt and
Karlyn Judge earned first team honors, while
Nia Harley and
Aria Whitney garnered second team recognition.
The Tigers nearly swept the preseason superlative awards, claiming three of the four spots. Kretteis was picked as preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Pratt was tabbed as preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Judge was selected preseason Midfielder of the Year.
Last year, Grambling State went 12-8-3 overall and 5-1-3 in SWAC play. The Tigers fell to Jackson State in a fiercely contest conference title game, 4-2 in double overtime. This year, Grambling State is projected to finish third in the SWAC.
Head coach
Justin Wagar is one of the premier coaches in the country with a winning percentage of .708. He holds a record of 124-97-19. Wagar, who coached the Tigers from 2017-2019, returned to the lead the program in 2022. His record at Grambling is 47-34-6.
The Opponents
This week's match marks the first time Grambling State and Murray State square off against each other.
Last season, the Racers finished 7-12-3 overall with a 3-5-2 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference. They reached the MVC championship game where they list to Missouri State 1-0.
The Racers return leading scorer Mary Hardy. She registered five goals during the 2022 campaign.
On Sunday, the Tigers face Southeast Missouri State who wrapped up the 2022 season with and 8-6-3 mark, going 4-2-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Red Hawks advanced to the OVC Quarterfinals, bowing out to Lindenwood on penalty kicks.
Sunday's contest also signals the first-ever meeting between GSU and SEMO.
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