LUBBOCK, Texas - The Lubbock Christian University women's soccer team embarks on its 2024 campaign this week, hosting RMAC foe Fort Lewis on Thursday evening.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex and will be streamed live on
FloFC with Nathan Karseno on the call.
Game Promotions:
Thursday is the annual Chap Athletic Kickoff hosted by LCU's Student Athlete Advisory Committe. There will be food trucks, prizes, games, and the first 75 LCU students will receive free ice cream.
Notes:
- Head Coach Alistair Caldwell enters his first season at the helm of the Lady Chaps. Prior to being hired on April 8, Caldwell was the Head Coach at Lubbock's Coronado High School. In a little over seven years at the helm, Caldwell led the program to five District titles and four Regional Tournament appearances. With the girl's program, he finished with a 145-37-14 overall record. Joining him on the sidelines are assistant coaches Houston Fralick and Joao Souza.
- Lexi De La Cruz, Kenley Blevins, and Kara Murray were named Players to Watch by the Lone Star Conference on Aug. 28. De La Cruz was named to the All-LSC second team in 2023 after racking up nine goals and six assists for LCU. Blevins was an All-LSC third team selection a year ago, appearing in 15 games, starting 14 times with a goal and an assist. Murray anchored the Lady Chaps in goal last season, starting all 17 games with a 1.19 goals-against average.
- Lubbock Christian is coming off a 7-7-3 season in 2023, dropping three of their last four games. The Lady Chaps return three of their top four point scorers from last season in De La Cruz (24 points), Evie Rodriguez (five points), and Avery Jennings (four points).
- LCU will feature 11 new players on the 2024 roster, all of which are true freshmen.
- The Lady Chaps were picked to finish eighth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll.
- The Lubbock Christian women's soccer program began in 2010 with a 5-2 loss to UT Permian Basin. On Sept. 2, 2021, they recorded the 100th win in program history, beating New Mexico Highlands 4-1.
- The Lady Chap program enters the 2024 season with an overall record of 122-91-31.
- This will be the third matchup of all-time between the Lady Chaps and Skyhawks. LCU holds a 1-0-1 record against FLC, drawing 0-0 in 2022 and winning 1-0 in 2016.
Scouting Fort Lewis:
- The Skyhawks were picked to finish sixth in the RMAC preseason poll. Earning 86 points in the poll.
- In 2023, FLC began the year undefeated through its first 10 matches, including shutout wins over West Texas A&M (2-0), Angelo State (1-0), and New Mexico Highlands (6-0). Fort Lewis ended the year with an overall record of 9-4-6 and a 5-3-4 mark in RMAC play.
- Fort Lewis returns a wealth of talent from last year's team, including 17 of the 18 players that notched points in the 2023 season.
- The Skyhawks will have an experienced roster in 2024 with six fifth years and four seniors gracing the pitch.
- FLC returns three of its four top point scorers in Gabi Fishbein-Meraz (eight points), Elizabeth David (five points), and Haley Stafford (five points).
- The Skyhawks are coached by Damian Clarke who enters his 13th season at the helm. He owns a 143-73-35 overall record at FLC.
A Win Would:
- Give LCU an opening match win in three of the last four seasons.
- Be the first win of the Alistair Caldwell era.
- Give the Lady Chaps their 123rd win in program history.
