By AnnaGrace Hale | Sports Writer
The floodlights shine on Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field once again as Baylor soccer is soon to kick off its 2022 season play. Although the setting is the same as before, a lot has changed within the Bears’ program. An evolved style on the pitch can be witnessed thanks to some new faces on the sideline.
One of these faces is head coach Michelle Lenard, who stepped into the role of Baylor soccer’s new head coach last December. Replacing Paul Jobson after his 14 seasons with the program, Lenard arrives with 14 seasons of NCAA Division II success under her belt. She built a strong program at Dallas Baptist University with a 200-77-26 record coupled with 13 conference championships.
Last season, the Bears finished third in the Big 12 and, although the team held a winning record of 4-2-3, they struggled to produce offensive opportunities with a goal average of 1.1 per game. However, the green and gold’s backline — more recognizable as the “No-Goal Patrol” — proved to be consistent with fifth-year senior Kayley Ables commanding the field from the defense.
This is where Lenard finds a sweet solution, presenting her vision of a Baylor team that will have an explosive offense without compromising the defense. Ables, who was selected to the All-Big 12 second team, said she is all for Lenard’s proposition.
“If we have the best defensive game of our lives, the best we can do as defenders is tie without forwards to score,” Ables said. “So that’s definitely something we’re pushing right now but without losing our defensive identity.”
In years past, the team would rely on forwards to finish the ball, but that’s not how the new Baylor program sees the game. With depth on the bench coupled with versatile players, the Bears believe they can produce more.
Graduate student forward Taylor Moon, who recorded four goals last season, knows the importance of putting the ball in the back of the net. Moon, who was the only other Bear to be named to an All-Big 12 team, joining Ables on the second team, also sees the value of multiple positions having the ability to attack the ball.
“We have a lot of people that are capable to score, and we have a more offensive mindset this year,” Moon said. “Rather than just our forwards scoring, we’ll have a lot more of our midfielders and maybe even outside backs scoring and assisting, so that’s exciting.”
Lenard said versatility is what makes the Bears dangerous, and that is the key to her game plan.
“We don’t want to be that team that’s easily marked, but rather be dangerous in all positions,” Lenard said. “It’s great if you have one kid scoring a bunch of goals, but honestly, it’s really difficult … Then the opponent can come and put a couple players on them and take that one player out of the match.”
On paper, it’s simple: Score goals, win games. However, the act requires unity.
With 34 players on the roster, coherence is important, especially with all the new faces. Fifteen new players have been added to the squad — five transfers and 10 freshmen. The rest is composed of returners.
Among the veteran players, Moon leads the team at the top and emphasizes the importance of everyone being “on the same page,” working toward the same goal, literally and figuratively. Moon said the objective is obvious.
“We want to win the Big 12 — that’s our ultimate goal — and [to] get into [the] postseason,” Moon said. “All the younger people and transfers have bought into what Michelle [Lenard] is saying and what the captains are saying, and I think it is going really well.”
During their two exhibition games, the green and gold proved they not only believe in Lenard and her style of play but also have the ability to carry it out on the field. In both their 3-1 victory against Louisiana State University and 2-1 win at the University of Texas at San Antonio, the Bears capitalized by utilizing a variety of players in different types of positions.
Against an LSU defender, Ables claimed a goal along with senior midfielder Maddie Algya and freshman forward Annika Fedell. Junior midfielder and DBU transfer Ashley Merrill buried two in the back of the net against UTSA.
Additionally, the Bears were exposed to other teams’ approaches and systems.
“We got the opportunity to play against two different styles, two different systems,” Lenard said. “Really happy with both results, but more so happy with the team’s ability to problem solve and find ways to score goals in both games.”
Looking ahead, Baylor’s schedule is daunting, and that is no accident. Lenard said the team needs to be tested before conference play. With powerhouse soccer schools like the University of North Carolina and the University of Florida on the schedule, the Bears are slated for a challenge — one Ables said they embrace with confidence.
“I think these games are harder, but I think these are what’s going to best prepare us for games whenever we play harder teams, because we also have a very hard conference,” Ables said. “I think we’re going to be best equipped to start out the season than probably any of our other competitors.”
Baylor opens its season with a two-game home-stand, as its first opponent is the University of Minnesota at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Betty Lou Mays Field. Before hitting the road, the Bears have one more home match against the University of Wisconsin, set for 7 p.m. Sunday at Betty Lou Mays Field.
