Carrollton, Ga. – August 17, 2005 – Camp started last week, and most of the 2005 West Georgia women’s soccer roster has yet to see the field of play in the Gulf South Conference, but according to head coach Gareth O’Sullivan, his Braves are already headed in the right direction.
“The girls are working hard, and we are already miles ahead of where we were at the same point last year,” O’Sullivan said. “Outside of the keeper position, we are very deep at every spot on the field.”
That depth is a good problem to have for coach O’Sullivan and his staff, as there is a lot of competition for starting positions all over the field. Those kinds of questions will be halfway answered on Thursday afternoon, when the Braves travel to Milledgeville for the first scrimmage of the year against Georgia College and State University.
O’Sullivan plans to use the majority of the squad in the scrimmage tomorrow to get an idea of the fitness level of his players.
“It’s also going to be important for Jackie Mulligan to get her ears wet,” O’Sullivan said.
Mulligan was the second-leading scorer for the Braves in 2004, but the UWG coaching staff was forced to put her in goal for this season when the keeper O’Sullivan recruited decided to take other paths. With her experience in Gaelic football, a mix of soccer and rugby, Mulligan was the best suited to move into the position.
“Jackie has been coming along well,” O’Sullivan said. “We just need to get her a look at a real game situation to get her more comfortable in goal. But she has made some good saves so far in camp.”
The Braves open the season next Thursday at 5 p.m., hosting Armstrong Atlantic State at the Observatory field.