With several exciting changes on and off the field, the Bulldogs are looking to make this era a successful one.

Many new faces will join the Bulldogs this season, including first-year head coach Jennifer Lafferty. In three seasons as the assistant women’s soccer coach at Defiance College, the Yellow Jackets qualified for the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs three straight years and had five players named to the All-Heartland Conference team. Lafferty was a standout for Defiance, where she was named team MVP in 1997 and the Heartland’s Offensive MVP in 1998-99.

At Adrian, Lafferty will have a strong group of returning players to mix with 19 freshmen. The team will also have a new $6.5 million performance stadium for its home games this year.

“So far the experience and support I’ve had at Adrian has been great,” Lafferty said. “I have a good size freshman class, and the new stadium is a good selling point and adds to the excitement.”

The Bulldogs hope that excitement translates into more success on the field. Adrian posted a 12-7-1 record in 2002, but has struggled since. Over the last three seasons, the Bulldogs have won a total of five games, including last year’s 3-17, 3-13 MIAA finish.

Lafferty is hoping to instill a new attitude in the team.

“The biggest thing is going to be the preparation before our first game and having players know where they’re playing,” Lafferty said. “I hope to have a set group playing at the start of the season.”

Several key players return to the Bulldog roster, including senior Erin Russell (Whitehouse, OH/Anthony Wayne). The forward has seven goals and two assists in her career, and the Bulldogs will count on her to lead the attack this season. Senior Stephanie Music (Whitehouse, OH/Anthony Wayne) is a sweeper who will steady Adrian’s defense along with junior defense/midfielder Alyson Schmidt (Defiance, OH/Defiance).

Sophomore forward Cody McDonald (Royal Oak/Dondero) had a goal and an assist as a freshmen and will be counted on to help Russell up front. Kelley Hutchins (North Branch/North Branch) is another sophomore who adds depth to the forwards.

“We want to have more of an attack up front,” Lafferty said. “In the past they’ve had to pull back their best players to help with defense, but this year we’ll try to push for more attack.”

A pair of freshmen could give the Bulldogs an offensive spark. Lindsay Chitwood (St. Clair Shores/Lakeview) and Sarah Muylle (St. Johns/St. Johns) are a pair of forwards who’ve impressed Lafferty during training camp.

The Bulldogs will have a deep defensive core joining Music. Sophomore Sandy Towler (Milan/Milan) and freshman Justin Cornell (West Bloomfield/West Bloomfield) are among those who will be counted on to stop opposing rushes.

There is a competition at goalkeeper between senior Reshia Jamison (Lansing/Waverly) and freshman Amanda House (North Branch/North Branch). Jamison has been with the Bulldogs for four years and provides experience, while House has been impressive in camp.

“Amanda has some work ahead, but she can develop into a really good goalie,” Lafferty said.

Changes have also been made to the schedule. Instead of the MIAA teams playing each other twice a year, the teams will face each other once in the regular season followed by a conference tournament. All eight teams will qualify, with the top seed facing the eighth and so on.

“I think the tournament gives everyone a better opportunity,” Lafferty said. “There’s a chance for the lower seeds to knock off the top seeds.”

The Bulldogs will open the regular season Sept. 1-2 in the Marian College Classic, which features NAIA teams Bethel and host Marian. The MIAA Tournament will begin Oct. 28.

KEY DATES
Sept. 9 vs. Baldwin-Wallace: Yellow Jackets will help the Bulldogs open the new performance stadium.
Sept. 27 vs. Siena Heights: Cross-town rivalry renewed.
Oct. 7 vs. Tri-State: Bulldogs swept both meetings with the Thunder last year.
Oct. 13 vs. Olivet: Teams split regular season series in 2005.