All photographs taken by Adriana Garcia
The Golden Eagles finished 2016 with eight wins and seven ties, 26 goals scored, five seniors, nine juniors, 10 sophomores, one freshman and their first winning season since 2003.
Southern Miss opened the season against The University of Louisiana Warhawks on Aug. 26, with a 1 – 0 win. Sophomore forward Bri Schubeck scored the single goal of the game in the 52nd minute, starting the winning season for the Golden Eagles.
USM set an attendance record of 950 at The Mississippi State University game on Sept. 4. Although MSU walked away with the win, senior starting goal keeper Brittany Taylor – hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Canada – made eight saves.
At the non-conference games USM managed to claim six wins, 63 total goal attempts and 18 total goals. The Golden Eagles snagged 11th in standings, a 2-6- 2 in conference play and Taylor managed to set two records in saves and shutouts.
In the final game of the season, USM lost to UTEP 5 – 0. Although The Golden Eagles lost, they managed to leave Texas with their first winning season in 13 years.
Senior defensive player and Houston native Adriana Garcia documented the final game of USM’s 2016 season through behind-the-scene photos of the girls traveling, stretching and goofing off.
Garcia said her photo story, “Behind the Scenes of the USM Soccer Team,” is a perfect portrayal of her time as a Southern Miss soccer player.
“This team has given me more than what I had ever imagined I would receive from college,” Garcia said. “Teammates creat unique bonds that hold something greater than a regular friendship. Between the early morning flights, to Go-Karting on away trips, this team is and will always be my family.”
The Golden Eagles wrapped up 2016 with two members named to All-Conference USA Third Teams on Nov. 1. Juniors Katie Richmond and Becky McMullan earned this spot with a combined 22 points and eight goals. On Nov. 2, Taylor and junior midfielder Lyndsey Lee were named on C-USA All- Academic First Team.
Although five girls are leaving, The Golden Eagles have a promising season for 2017.
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photos by Adriana Garcia
