College Sports

By TRAVIS YOESTING Staff Writer There's a new Rose in the Rose City, and he's coming to town ready and raring to kick off the women's soccer program at Tyler Junior College.

Although he's starting from scratch with a new program, don't expect head coach Corey Rose to aim low.

"My expectations are to get to the national tournament," Rose said. "I think we're going to be in the mix. I think I've assembled a team to compete with Lon Morris and Navarro."

Rose, who coached for five years at Belhaven College in Jackson, Miss., was called upon by TJC athletic director Dr. Tim Drain as the school's first women's soccer coach. Rose and his team will get the ball rolling on TJC women's soccer today at 7 p.m. at Richland College in Dallas.

Richland has won junior college Division III national championships in the past and will pose a challenging first match for the Apache Ladies.

"I'm expecting them to be a good team," Rose said. "We are going to be able to play with them; if we play our game I think we should be able to win."

The TJC women's soccer team has yet to play an official game, but injuries are already a concern.

"If people are healthy and can play� then we should be able to win," Rose said of his team's first matchup against Richland.

Rose said he hopes to build a fan base with high-scoring soccer and players who give back to the community. Above all, he believes wins will decide the popularity of the program.

"We want to play an attractive style of soccer," Rose said. "I think the more we can win, the community is going to support us."

The team's home opener is Friday against conference foe Bossier Parish (La.) Community College at 7 p.m. at Pat Hartley Field.

Rose said he won't be taking any team lightly.

"We're going to come out ready to play like we're going to play in the national championship game," Rose said. "We're going to play like it's a must-win situation."

Rose said his team plans to target captain Ashley Wall with crosses from the corners to notch most of their goals. The strong, 5-10 center forward from Miami will be a focus of the team's 4-3-3 formation.

"She's intimidating," Rose said. "She's got a big heart and her work rate is outstanding. Just that alone should get her quite a few goals this year."

Another goal-scorer will be Cassandra Branch from Mississauga, Canada. Rose said she is the fastest player on the team.

"She's going to get to balls that not many people are going to get to," Rose said of Branch. "If she can be focused in her finishing, she's going to score a lot of goals."

Continuing with the international theme, the team's roster features six women from the United Kingdom.

Among those, Cara Newton from Nottingham, England, is currently nursing an injury. She will play a major role in the team's offense when healthy.

Once his players are all fit, Rose said, he expects to field a strong and deep squad with the athleticism and physicality to score goals and win games.

Rose said he plans to use a lot of subs with his high-energy, high-pressure style. Luckily for him, his squad's depth is an asset, he said.

Kayla Mason, from Whitehouse, will anchor the team's defense as a leader in the back, Rose said. A former teammate of hers in high school, Giselle Bryce-Cotes, will join Mason in shoring up the back line.

Bryce-Cotes, a transfer from Lon Morris, is one of two sophomores on a team of almost entirely freshmen. Rose said the pair's past has created good chemistry and that the two play well together protecting the net.

After a long summer of waiting for the season to begin, Rose said he can't wait for the first game.

"I'm very excited," Rose said. "It can't get here fast enough."

Aug. 27 at Richland 7 p.m. Aug. 29 vs. Bossier Parish (La.) 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at Eastfield 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at Navarro 3 p.m. Sept. 14 vs. Eastfield 4 p.m. Sept. 19 at Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) TBA Sept. 20 at Hinds (Miss.) 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Lon Morris 3 p.m. Sept. 28 vs. Paul Quinn 2 p.m. Oct. 4 vs. Navarro 7 p.m. Oct. 11 vs. Richland 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Bossier Parish (La.) 7 p.m. Oct. 19 ^vs. Monroe (N.Y.) CC 10:30 a.m. Oct. 21 vs. Lon Morris 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Shelton State (Ala.) 11 a.m. ^ at Navarro College, Corsicana

GETTING READY: Tyler Junior College women’s soccer coach Corey Rose talks to the Apache Ladies during practice Tuesday at Pat Hartley Field. This is the first year for the TJC women’s soccer program.
(Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero)