Positive vibes surround SU soccer in ’08

Southern’s Lady Jaguars may have fallen to William Carey University 9-0 in exhibition play Saturday, but the defeat only served as a tune up as SU is set to begin regular season play tonight against Nicholls State at 6 p.m. in A.W. Mumford Stadium.
“The players and I are very excited to start the regular season,” said fifth year coach John Knighten. “We look forward to a great year.”
SU returns five seniors, two preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference first teamers in Almarie Soto-Ortiz and Tiffany Cantu, and two preseason All-SWAC second teamers in Amanda Soto-Ortiz and Jamika Pugh.
“I’m very proud of those young ladies because they have worked hard the last three years,” Knighten said. “They deserve the recognition.”
Along with nine newcomers Knighten also brought in Nikki Ferguson to work as an assistant coach. Ferguson is the first full time assistant Knighten’s had in his tenure at SU.
“He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program,” Knighten said.
Of his team as a whole, Knighten said, “I feel like this is the strongest team we’ve had the last four yearsAny time you have four preseason All-SWAC selections, it means a lot.”
Knighten and SU will be looking to improve on a 4-13-1 mark last year and a first round playoff exit at the hands of eventual SWAC Champion Alabama A&M 0-2. SU is predicted to finish second in the Western Division behind Grambling.
“The players have worked very hard in preseason camp, everybody is positive” Knighten said. “The players are in good shape and we’re going to play well tonight.”