Soccer Arrives for Preseason

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer season has officially begun as the 2005 squad arrived in Fayetteville for 9:00 a.m. meetings in what is an administrative day leading up to Wednesday’s first day on the field.

“I’m the most eager that I have ever been in many years for a season to begin,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “I truly believe that we are building something special here at Arkansas and this is a process that is going to take some time, but this team is quicker, faster and stronger than last year and many of the players stayed in Fayetteville and trained this summer.”

The Lady Razorbacks began on Tuesday morning with a welcome message from coach Henderson and a meet and greet between the veteran players, newcomers and staff. Following the opening the new Lady Razorbacks were allowed to pick their numbers for the 2005 season.

Physical checkups and photographs followed to wrap up the morning session, then lunch and more doctors’ appointments before the returning players helped the fresh faces move into the residence halls.

“Last year we tore down the house,” Henderson said. “We changed the team’s psychological approach, their fitness levels and desire to succeed. Last year’s team did a wonderful job and even though their record may have been similar to years past, I have heard from many of the players that they had more fun in the process. This is still a building process and as we continue to build the house from its foundation brick by brick, I’ll be interested to see how far we come along this fall.”

The Lady Razorbacks get their first touches under the watchful gaze of the Arkansas coaching staff on Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m., but not before coach Henderson studies his team’s condition through fitness tests.

For more information about University of Arkansas Women’s Athletics or about Lady Razorback soccer, visit www.ladybacks.com.