Lady Vols cooking up right mix on soccer field

Career-scoring leader Kylee Rossi finished her playing career for Tennessee's soccer team in 2008, as did three-year starting goalkeeper Jamiel Johnson.

So what happens to the Lady Vols this season? They get a nearly complete makeover with eight freshmen to blend with six full-time returning starters from the team that won the 2008 SEC tournament and lost to Charlotte in the NCAA tournament's first round.

Still, it will be tough to replace Rossi and Johnson.

"We have enough players coming back and our freshmen were here all summer, and we've had a chance to play with them this preseason," senior midfielder/forward Mick Imgram said. "I think it was a good mending session and I think it (being without Rossi and Johnson) isn't going to be something that affects in the long, long run."

Rossi was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 and '07 and an All-SEC player last season, while Johnson was an honorable mention All-American in 2007 and All-SEC second-team player last season.

UT coach Angela Kelly started three freshmen and played five freshmen in the 5-2 loss to Duke last Saturday in a preseason scrimmage. She expects to go deep into her bench this season.

"I think this year, more so than ever, our one through 18th player can significantly contribute," she said.

They'll get their next chance when the Lady Vols open the regular season by playing host to East Tennesssee State at 7 tonight at Regal Soccer Stadium.

UT lost three of its top four scorers from 2008: Rossi (13 goals, one assist), Devon Swaim (four goals, four assists) and Alissa VonderHaar (two goals, one assist).

Imgram, chosen to the 2009 All-SEC preseason team, was third on the team in points last season (two goals and four assists).

Freshman forwards Jayden Barrett and Alexis Owens also will be counted on to take up much of the scoring load. Barrett started the exhibition against Duke. Owens was quick off the bench and scored a goal.

Owens said it takes some adjusting to get used to the college game.

"It's definitely faster," Owens said. "It's a big change, but you learn. You learn quickly. It's a lot different, a lot faster. You have to work harder, you have to play faster, but if you work hard you can do it."

Also starting the exhibition were freshman defender Ali Hall and freshman midfielder Amy Harrison.

Imgram, in her fifth year in the program, has been impressed with the freshmen.

"I mean, they're really good," Imgram said. "They're bold personalities. Our team needs bold personalities, and we have some already. I don't think we have one thing that we're too, too good at, but I mean we're really good at everything. We don't have too many weak points, and everything that could be a weak point is what we're working on in the preseason."

Returning full-time starters are Imgram, midfielder/forward Julie Edwards, midfielder Tanya Emerson, midfielder/defender Grace Cuenin, and defenders Sarah Jackyra and Melissa Speros.

Part-time returning starters are midfielder Chelsea Hatcher, forward Anna Fisher, midfielder/defender Emily Shore and defender Hannah Hut.

Emerson, Edwards and Fisher were slowed by injuries in the preseason.

Hatcher, chosen to the All-SEC freshman team in 2008, suffered a bone bruise to her right knee in the exhibition and will be evaluated on a week-by-week basis. She moved into a starting role late in the 2008 season.

"I think we'll be exciting in the attacking third," Kelly said. "I think we'll be solid in the midfield. We just need to speed up our speed of play, and in the back (defense) once we shore up some principles and get the foundation laid down, day after day after day (in practice) we'll be great back there, so I'm excited. It's a very talented group, and I'm excited to continue to teach them."

Molly Baird, who played in one game last season, takes over for Johnson in goal.

Kelly wasn't blaming the junior for the five goals scored in the exhibition.

"I don't think the keeper ever needs to take full responsibility," Kelly said. "It went through everybody else before it got to her. Molly Baird is a great keeper. We didn't mark tight enough in the box and Duke finished and capitalized on their opportunities."

Dave Link is a freelance contributor.