Posey expects 2017 turnaround

After advancing to the conference tournament semifinals two of the previous three years and three years straight of at least .500 play in conference, last year's campaign wasn't what Wayland Baptist women's soccer coach Shiloh Posey was expecting. The Pioneers ended 4-11-2, tied for seventh in the Sooner Athletic Conference, and were ousted in the first round of the conference tourney.
 
"Last year was not the season we wanted. Of a group of about 14, half graduated two years ago and we lost the other half last May," said Posey, who called 2016 a rebuilding year for his club. "Our attack was not what it had been."
 
As he prepares to begin his 11^th season at WBU, Posey expects a different scene in 2017.
 
"The vast majority of last year's girls are returning, so our core group is going to be familiar with each other," he said. "And the new girls that have come in have gelled very quickly as far as personalities and connectivity.
 
"We're pretty consistently talented across all of the players, which will help because no matter who is on the field they will contribute in a positive manner.
I'm looking forward to it."
 
Wayland kicks off the 2017 schedule Saturday when the Pioneers travel to Odessa to face Texas-Permian Basin at 1 p.m. The team's home-opener is set for two days later, at 7 p.m. Monday against Lubbock Christian.
 
Posey's 20-player roster features six seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen.
 
"Recruiting has balanced our team out. We have six seniors, brought in several transfer students, and have some good quality freshmen. It's a good spread of ages that will help balance the team as the season goes on," Posey said.
 
As for the veterans, seniors Chelsea Beaubouef, Valeria Garcia-Johnson and grad student Natalie Stahmann are among the group's leaders. Beaubouef was the team's top point-producer with 12 (three goals, six assists) last year, and Stahmann returns after missing last season with injury.
 
The Pioneers must replace Bailey Stengler, who minded the WBU goal the past three seasons. The candidates include senior Erin Moon, who played behind Stengler the past two years, and newcomers Victoria Bonahoom, a junior transfer from Trinidad State (Colo.), and freshman Iris Nevarez of Dumas who also looks to play forward.
 
After suffering nine shutouts last season, Posey focused his recruiting efforts on offense, and it paid off.
 
"The recruits we have are solid players who are going to contribute well. Our attack is going to push on some people. We'll have some players up front who can do a job that we were unable to do last year," the coach said.
 
Among the junior college transfers are Taylor Moore of Cisco, Shonte Tremblett of Parkland (Ill.), Megan Attenborough of Northwest (Wy.), Gabby Maguire of Lewis & Clark (Ill.), and Audrey Sierra-Bogan of Hill College in Dallas.
 
Posey said with so many new faces, it may take some time to blend all the pieces together.
 
"Although they've gelled pretty quickly in the preseason, with 50 percent of the team being new it's going to take a bit of time. But I feel like we'll get there pretty quickly."
 
The Pioneers are picked to finish in the middle of the conference, which sees the addition of Central Christian (Kan.) and a ranked team in No. 18 John Brown.
 
"We hope to prove better than where they've placed us," Posey said. "We're going to have to be balanced in our attack and our defense, and we'll have to have a consistent, 11-player effort for 90 minutes.
 
"I'm excited about the season."