MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 12-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team opens its 2015 preseason camp on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 7 a.m., at Dreamswork Field.

 

Camp will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 16. Included in the 12 days of preparation are two exhibitions. WVU will play host to Wright State on Sunday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. The squad also will travel to Georgetown on Wednesday, Aug. 12, for a 5 p.m. match.

 

“I’m really looking forward to this preseason camp,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “This is a great returning group of student-athletes, with excellent leaders in our senior class. I know my staff also is excited to have such an experienced core coming back to lead this group. There also are a lot of new faces joining the program this year, and this is a great time for us all to get together and get prepared for the 2015 season.”

 

The Mountaineers, the three-time reigning Big 12 Conference champions, boast 15 returning letterwinners, including six seniors and junior All-America defender Kadeisha Buchanan, the two-time reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

 

Sophomore forward Michaela Abam, a 2014 National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) All-Central Region Second Team selection and the reigning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, is the squad’s top returning point earner, having tallied 16 points on a team-best eight goals one year ago. She ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 with four game-winning goals. Top returning point earners also include junior midfielder Ashley Lawrence (4 G, 7 A) and senior forward Kailey Utley (5 G, 5 A). Lawrence, a two-time NSCAA All-Central Region First Team honoree, paced the Mountaineers in 2014 and ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 with seven assists.

 

Senior Hannah Steadman returns for her second season in goal. The Kinnelon, New Jersey, native posted a conference-best 11 shutouts in 2014.

 

Twelve newcomers join the Mountaineers this season, including transfers Yulie Lopez (Florida State), Aaran Parry (Tennessee) and Kayla Saager (NC State).

 

On the cusp of the program’s 20th season, Izzo-Brown boasts a 267-98-43 record with the Mountaineers. The only coach to win three consecutive Big 12 Coach of the Year honors, Izzo-Brown has led the Mountaineers to 15 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the NCAA’s eight-longest active streak, and 13 conference titles.

 

WVU returns to the field following a 16-2-4 campaign in 2014.