With four returning sophomores providing the catalyst, Northeastern A&M's Lady Norse soccer team enters the final four days of preseason preparation with high expectations.


After 10 days both outside on the practice field and inside the Student Activity Center gymnasium because of inclimate weather, the Lady Norse open the regular season Thursday with a 3 p.m. match in Bartlesville against the Oklahoma Wesleyan University junior varsity.
The Lady Norse travel to Muskogee's Hatbox Field on Tuesday, Aug. 20, for a 2 p.m. match with the Bacone University junior varsity.
Opening the home portion of their schedule on Friday, Aug. 23, the Lady Norse will play their inaugural match on the new synthetic surface of Robertson Field by hosting Neosho County Community College of Chanute, Kan., at 2 p.m.
Head coach Lisa Bell enters her fifth year since starting the program in 2008. Last year the Lady Norse finished 10-7-1 overall. NEO was 0-2 in the Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Sophomore Leidiane Capobianco from Sau Paulo, Brazil, returns to anchor the right wing position for the Lady Norse. 
Freshmen Shelby Sewell from Riverton, Kan., and Shelby Saul from Claremore Sequoyah are challenging for playing time on the right wing.
Starting on the left wing is freshman Alyssa Del Guidice from Lawton.
Returning at the forward position is veteran Joya Smith from Nassau, Bahamas, along with freshman Joslynn Lawler from Summit Christian Academy of Broken Arrow.
Sophomores Brianna Anderson from Temple, Texas, and Jacoby Penrod from Broken Arrow Homeschool alternate at the center position for the Lady Norse.
Handling the defensive positions for NEO are freshmen Hannah Colina and Haley Skaggs, both from Muskogee and Samantha Snow from Lawton Eisenhower.
Freshmen alternating at goalkeeper are Haley Saul from Claremore Sequoyah and Sheryl Evans from Nassau, Bahamas.