Women's Soccer 8/22/2022 1:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Opens 2022 Season Thursday in OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY – The University of Central Oklahoma soccer team begins the 2022 season this week with a Thursday night date at Oklahoma Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Eagle Soccer Field.

Central Oklahoma is receiving votes in the national rankings, landing just outside the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll. UCO was also picked third in the MIAA's Preseason Coaches' Poll. The 2022 Bronchos return 17 letter winners from last season's squad that made it to the MIAA Championship Semifinals and the NCAA Division II national tournament.

"We're looking forward to getting started," UCO head soccer coach Mike Cook said. "We've got a lot of versatile players this season. We're working on finding out who is best together and who is best at what spot. But what we like is that several of our girls can play more than one position and a lot of that is determined on matchups. We did well in the preseason and we're ready to get started for real this week."

Central Oklahoma has 17 student-athletes on this year's roster back from the 2021 squad that made it to nationals and the Bronchos have 14 back with starting experience. UCO went 13-5-3 last season, posting a winning record for the 21st time in 23 seasons. Cook started the program in 1998 and has a 336-124-36 overall record in 23 seasons – a .716 winning percentage.

A junior class of four leads the Bronchos onto the field this Fall with each of them in their fourth year of college soccer (2020-21 did not count against their eligibility).

Monika McGee served as captain last season and is expected to be the leader on and off the field again this season. She has played in all 43 games for UCO since 2019, making 42 starts, and has led the team to two national tournament appearances (2019 & 2021). McGee earned All-MIAA honors in 2021 as well as All-Region accolades. She's scored 11 goals and has 12 assists in her career.

Eden Jones has also played in all 43 games for the Bronchos since 2019, making 40 starts. She has scored eight goals and has two assists in two official seasons on the field. Jones also helped the Bronchos reach the NCAA tournament in 2019 and 2021. Both McGee and Jones helped Central win the 2019 MIAA postseason tournament championship and the unofficial 2020-21 league title.

Avery Holland transferred to UCO from Rose State before last season and had an immediate impact. She played in 19 of 21 games last season and made 14 starts. She was a key defender in helping the Bronchos back to the national tournament. Amaya Grace joined the Bronchos earlier this year and gained a valuable Spring semester of experience being in the program. She comes from North Texas after spending two seasons at Seminole State and is looking to bolster the Central front lines from the forward position.

The sophomore class makes up most of the entire roster for the Bronchos, but there's a line down the middle of this group. With the 2020 season canceled, there are six sophomores in their third year in the program. There are also nine more that are true sophomores in their second year with the program.

The first part of that bunch is led by Kassidy Collins, an All-MIAA performer from a year ago. Collins can play all over the field and does at different times. The Owasso native has been solid up front and as a defender while also succeeding, and earning All-MIAA honors, as a midfielder. She played in 15 games, starting 13, and scored five goals and made four assists last season.

Linsey Gordon played in and started all 21 games last season. The center back is poised to continue dominating the back line for the Bronchos. She can mark the opposing team's best player and keep that back line in position for 90 minutes. Gordon played a team-high 1,960 minutes in her first official collegiate season.

Kylee Wickersham played in 19 of 21 games last season and made 16 starts. A defensive mid, she scored one goal in Central's 2-1 win over then third-ranked Emporia State in Edmond last Fall. Wickersham is a physical presence in the middle of the field and gives UCO control of the game. Emily Tincher appeared in 13 games last season and made four starts. She posted three assists and is a possession-minded midfielder that helps the Bronchos stay on track.

Caroline Faulkner played in two games as goalkeeper last season but is expected to contend for the starting job this Fall. She made eight saves in her limited action. Brooke Franklin sat out 2021 with an injury and is aimed at making a big return this Fall. She spent the pandemic year at Central Arkansas before transferring to UCO in 2021.

The true sophomores group is led by a few youngsters with experience and a few more ready to gain more minutes on the field.

Madison Linavong played more minutes (1,470) than any other true freshman last season. She appeared in all 21 games and made 16 starts. Linavong scored four goals and had three assists and should be a contender this season for more. Madison Hayes played in 16 games and made five starts for the Bronchos, playing a key role with Central's defense. And Adria Ramirez played in 18 games, making one start, in helping the Bronchos up front.

Harmony Turner, Lauren Hinnenkamp and Megan Wilson all made their own impressions as freshmen a year ago. Turner played in 15 games, making six starts. She scored one goal and had one assist. Hinnenkamp appeared in 14 games, making four starts, and had one assist. Wilson made 11 appearances with two starts.

Olivia Vigil made just one appearance in goal a year ago, but made four saves and didn't allow a goal in helping the Bronchos to one of 12 shutouts posted on the year. She'll contend with Faulkner for the starting job this Fall.

Matilda Torres did not play last season due to injury but is poised to make a strong debut. Albany Adair joins the Bronchos this Fall after starting her collegiate career at Oral Roberts.

Central Oklahoma has seven freshmen on this year's squad and some will look to contribute right away. Avery Bass and Abigale Howard are both goalkeepers looking to contend for time in the net. Jayme Dowell, Zoe Ross and Lauren Piper are midfielders, Sofia Magana will fight for time on the back line and Rebecca Tweedy will look to bolster the front half of the Broncho offense.

Central Oklahoma visits and Oklahoma Christian program coming off a 4-8-4 campaign in 2021. The OC Eagles were picked 10th in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll earlier this month. The team returns 14 letter winners from last season.

UCO will travel to Oklahoma City Thursday for the 2022 season opener. The Bronchos will follow that with a trek up Interstate 44 to Joplin, Missouri for a neutral-site contest against Minnesota State at Missouri Southern State University on Sunday, Aug. 28.

Central Oklahoma is scheduled to make its 2022 home debut Thursday, Sept. 1 against East Central University. The Bronchos will also take on Oklahoma Baptist Saturday, Sept. 3 in Shawnee, Oklahoma in what will be the 500th official match in school history.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Kassidy Collins: D; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#1 Caroline Faulkner: GK; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#8 Brooke Franklin: MF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#5 Linsey Gordon: D; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#2 Madison Hayes: D; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#10 Lauren Hinnenkamp: MF; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#27 Avery Holland: D; 5' 6"; Junior

#15 Eden Jones: MF; 5' 9"; Junior

#11 Madison Linavong: MF; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#6 Monika McGee: MF; 5' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#7 Kassidy Collins
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: D

#1 Caroline Faulkner
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: GK

#8 Brooke Franklin
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: MF

#5 Linsey Gordon
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: D

#2 Madison Hayes
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: D

#10 Lauren Hinnenkamp
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: MF

#27 Avery Holland
: 5' 6"; Junior
: D

#15 Eden Jones
: 5' 9"; Junior
: MF

#11 Madison Linavong
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: MF

#6 Monika McGee
: 5' 4"; Junior
: MF