Trojans Ready For New Season Under Mark Foster

LITTLE ROCK- The Trojans will return to the pitch on Friday for their opening match against rival Central Arkansas to kick off a 2018 campaign that looks to improve upon a fifth place finish in the Sun Belt Conference.
 
Little Rock posted a 9-9-3 record last season with a 4-4-2 record in conference play. In the Sun Belt Tournament, the Trojans grabbed a Sun Belt tournament victory for the second consecutive season. With an extensive list of returning players for the upcoming season, the team will look to capitalize on the opportunity through their experience.
 
Head Coach Mark Foster begins his Little Rock coaching career on Friday. Foster spent the last season at South Alabama as the Jaguars were conference champions. He was also the second-winningest coach at Trevecca Nazarene University, his alma mater. Assistant Coach Audra Larson will also begin her first year as a Trojan.
 
FORWARDS
 
Returning for her senior season is Arola Aparicio Gili who was a First Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2017. The Spanish forward was a bright spot for the Trojans last season as she racked up three goals and two assists as she created many scoring opportunities from a wide position. She will lead the Little Rock attack in 2018 and look to improve her goal-scoring record. Aparicio Gili was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt team. Opposing teams will have their hands full as they try to defend the dynamic attacking player.
 
Peyton Laughley also returns as an attacking option for the Trojans. Despite seeing little action in 2017, Laughley was an offensive force during her high school campaign. She was a three-time selection to her All-District First Team at Aledo High School and helped her team win two district championships. Her future is promising as she tallied a goal in Little Rock's exhibition matchup against Northwestern State.
 
MIDFIELD
 
The Trojan midfield returns a great deal of experience with six returning players as well as six talented newcomers who are set to contribute in their first season wearing the maroon and silver.
 
The senior class contains midfielders who are instrumental in retaining possession of the ball while providing service for their forwards. Jaclyn Purvine has enjoyed an impressive career as a Trojan totaling nine goals and seven assists during her first three seasons. She appeared in all 21 games last season and started 17. Her presence was felt on the attacking end with 12 shots on goal in 1,521 minutes during her junior campaign
 
Camilla Olsson, from Trondheim, Norway, will be playing in her second and final season for the Trojans. After missing the 2016 season due to injury, Olsson made an impact in the 2017 season. Appearing in 13 games, the Norwegian midfielder tallied two goals on nine shots. She will play a central role for Little Rock.
 
Claire Palmer returns for her senior season as more of a holding midfielder for Little Rock. She played in 21 games for the maroon and silver and started 18 games. She provided one assist and logged 1,574 minutes in 2017.
 
Attacking midfielder Sairra Tucker was also an attacking option for the Trojans. She picked up two assists in 2017 and blasted 26 shots with 14 on target. The Arlington, Texas native was on the pitch for 1,091 minutes last season.
 
Junior Doro Greulich was stellar in 2017, earning First Team All-Sun Belt honors. The German midfielder led the team in points (17) and goals (8) and was instrumental in Little Rock's wins last season. She will hold up play at the top of the penalty area and look to finish any scoring opportunities that come her way. Greulich will certainly be the focal point of the Trojan attack.
 
Frisco, Texas native Morgan Smocovich had a breakout season in her inaugural season for the maroon and silver. She racked up nine points with four goals and one assist during her freshman campaign. She appeared in all 21 games and started 10. Smocovich fired a whopping 31 shots with 12 of them on frame. She can always prove to be a threat for the defense with her long-range efforts from outside the penalty area.
 
Among the newcomers for the Trojan midfield is Natalee Geren. The freshman from Round Rock, Texas will step into a defensive role for Little Rock. Her pace and strength will be used to support the defensive back line.
 
The Trojans will also welcome Fanney Einarsdotir in the midfield. One of many Icelandic players for Little Rock, Einarsdotir has been impressive in the preseason matches. In a central midfield role, she will look to provide service for the attacking midfielders as well as the forwards.
 
Also in their first season with the Trojans will be freshman sisters Carissa Seying and Catherine Seying. Freshman Astros Luckas and transfer junior Maeve Burger will also wear maroon and silver for the first time.
 
DEFENDERS
 
Little Rock will return an experienced defense which is crucial for the success of any high-class team.
 
Anchoring the defense will be Liesa Seifert, a Second Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2017. The senior from Postdam, Germany possesses great strength, height and pace on the defensive back line. She played in all 21 games and made 17 starts for the Trojans. The defender also managed to get forward and become an offensive presence, tallying two goals and an assist.
 
Nora Hellmers is back for her senior season with the maroon and silver. The Austin, Texas native has played in a total of 56 games with 36 starts during her career. She picked up an assist last season in addition to her defending. Seniors Logan Strange and Josie Verslues will also provide leadership in the defense.
 
Canton, Georgia native Samantha Rolka enters her junior season in 2018. The defender played in 17 games for the Trojans last season while making 13 starts. Bailey Fithian will also look to lock up attacking players in her defensive role.
 
Sophomore Bergros Asgeirsdottir appeared in all 21 games and made 19 starts in 2017. Her pace will be vital for the Trojans as she will take on a role as a wing back.
 
GOALKEEPERS
 
The Trojans lack experience in the goalkeeper position. Young talent will have to develop and thrive to make an impact in 2018.
 
In her first season at Little Rock, Sara Johannsdottir will be the starting goalkeeper for the maroon and silver. The freshman from Iceland looks to make a lasting impact between the posts during her career as a Trojan.
 
Hilma Svalander comes from Boras, Sweden for her freshman year. She brings a load of experience after starting in goal for the past three seasons for Sven Ekrikssonsgymnasiet. Kelly Hogan also returns for her sophomore season.
 
SCHEDULE
 
The Trojans will face two teams that finished 2016 in the top 100 of the RPI rankings in and three NCAA Tournament teams during their 2018 calendar.
 
The team will play nine home games and will open up on the road against Central Arkansas on Aug. 17 before returning home to play Kentucky on Aug. 19.
 
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