Krista McKendree has prepared for pre-season practice many times, but never as a head coach until now. The new head coach of the University of Evansville women's soccer team welcomes in her squad on Tuesday, August 5, with the first day of practice scheduled for August 6.

McKendree has been a key reason for soccer success in Evansville ever since she was a student at North High School. Now the Evansville native is stepping up another level, moving from assistant coach to head coach. McKendree, an All-American for the Purple Aces in 2000, replaces Chris Pfau, who brought in McKendree as his top assistant three years ago.

“Chris did a fantastic job of re-energizing our program, and I want to continue the improvement that he began,” McKendree says. “We’ve accomplished a lot in the past three years, but we still have goals to reach. With the championship tradition that our program has, we have so much potential to do great things.”

McKendree returned to her alma mater in 2005 soon after Pfau was hired as head coach, and Evansville’s win total immediately more than tripled from three in 2004 to 10 in 2005. In 2006, McKendree was part of the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year. In 2007, the Aces climbed to second place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings and won 10 matches for the third consecutive year.

And 2008? With eight seniors, seven of whom were part of the turnaround season of 2005 as freshmen, this year is about fighting for a championship.

“The girls decided that ‘Fight’ was their theme for this season, and I think that’s a good choice,” McKendree said. “We have a lot of talent and experience, but we’ll still have to battle to accomplish our goals.”

Two of the eight seniors accounted for 39 of the team’s 80 points last season. Kayla Lambert could be the Aces’ all-time leading scorer by the time her senior year is complete, and she led the way again in 2007 with 10 goals and four assists for 24 points. Lambert needs only 11 points to overtake the great Krissy Meek for first place on the UE scoring list. Lambert’s former club team teammate, Mia Tofano, was second on the squad with six goals and three assists for 15 points. Tofano earned first team all-MVC honors in 2007 and Lambert was second team.

“When both are healthy, and everyone is working together, we can be difficult to defend,” McKendree says.

Number three and four scorers Heidi Grey and Kaitlynn Radtke graduated, but plenty of talent exists at the offensive end. Senior Rocky Hearst has given the Aces a spark off the bench each year, and 2007 MVC All-Freshman Team member Kristin Thuve saw plenty of playing time as a freshman last season. Sophomore Susan McKinley gives the team depth at forward. Freshman Allison Dragues will redshirt this season after undergoing knee surgery in the spring.

The Aces’ midfield is loaded with experience. Team captains Kellee Widener and first-team all-MVC selection Julie Winkler are in the middle, flanked by three-year starters Danielle Brand and Nicole Moyen. Susan Szafir, Trish Tolen, and freshmen Sam Conrad, Shannon MacNaughton and Colleen Marty give the Aces excellent depth in the midfield.

Senior Kara Murphy returns to her center back position after making the MVC honorable mention team. Flanking Murphy are juniors Kasey Kutzler and Katelyn Smith, a pair of two-year starters at outside back. Also returning is Sara Ornelas, who made the MVC All-Freshman Team last November, and junior Elise Feltes. Returning players Amanda Malone and Abbi Armstrong, and freshmen Kasey Cartwright and Haley Hancock, will also compete for playing time.

In goal are sophomore Theresa Bagby, another member of the 2007 MVC All-Freshman Team, and freshman Stephanie Pitstick. Bagby’s six shutouts in 2007 were only two shy of the UE record.

Evansville’s schedule begins with two friendlies–-at Eastern Illinois August 12 and at home against Western Kentucky August 16. The regular season begins August 22 at home against Wright State, and includes matches against Virginia Tech from the ACC, Ohio State from the Big 10, and Kentucky from the SEC. Those are the kind of opponents McKendree wants for her senior-dominated team as the Aces fight their way toward an MVC championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.