Trinity head women’s soccer Coach Lance Key will have the highest confidence in his 14 returnees, led by seven starters, as the Tigers take to the newly named Paul McGinlay Field Sept. 1, by hosting Concordia University (Texas).

“Our returning core has a tremendous amount of experience,” said Coach Key, in his eighth year at the Tigers helm. “The seven returning starters have been in the forefront for the better part of their careers. They have been a part of some critical games, and have a healthy experience of success and disappointments that will enable them to lead with the appropriate perspective.”

The Tigers captured their fifth SCAC Championship under Coach Key’s leadership, with an undefeated 10-0-0 record. Coach Key was honored by his peers as the SCAC Coach of the Year for the second straight time, and fourth overall.

Trinity advanced to its sixth NCAA Division III postseason appearance in seven years, and 16th overall. In Abilene, Texas, Trinity opened the tournament with a 2-0 shutout of Puget Sound. Eventual national champion Hardin-Simmons – which beat Messiah in the championship played at  San Antonio’s Blossom Soccer Stadium – edged the Tigers 2-1 in the second round. The Tigers graduated four seniors following the 2010 season. Included in the group were All-Americans Danika Wright and Jordan Azar.

The Tigers will get another shot at Hardin-Simmons, as the top-ranked Cowgirls come to campus Sept. 3.

The 2010 season concluded with Trinity sporting an 18-2-0 record, and a No. 10 national ranking.

Senior forward Abby Loar (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) earned All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and D3soccer.com. In addition, Loar was selected as an NSCAA Scholar All-American, and was named to the All-West Region and All-SCAC Teams.

Loar was the Tigers leading scorer with 16 goals (five game-winners) and 11 assists.  The performance also earned her the distinction of being elected the SCAC Offensive Player of the Year.

The talented Loar became the first player to lead the SCAC in scoring in consecutive years, since the 2005 and 2006 seasons. She was only the fifth player in conference history to win back-to-back scoring titles.

Senior forward Kelly Watts (Lakewood, Wash./Bellarmine Preparatory) was selected for the All-West Region Team, and was named an ESPN Academic All-American. Watts, an All-SCAC honoree, accounted for 11 goals (three game-winners), and registered eight assists.

The Tigers scored 3.1 goals per game (62 total), and held a national ranking of 28th in scoring offense.

Junior goalkeeper Katie Garrett (Joshua, Texas/Joshua) was an All-SCAC recipient. Garrett was ranked No. 22 in the nation in goals-against average (.566). She yielded only 11 goals in 20 games, made 53 saves, and registered nine shutouts while in front of the net.

Lindsay Euers (Austin, Texas/Bowie), a junior defender, also made the All-SCAC Team. Euers scored three goals, two of which were game-winners. She was a key member of Trinity’s taut defense, ranked 22nd in goals-against average (.549 per game, 11 total). A strong starting defender is senior Ally Hunter (Southlake, Texas/Carroll), who has started 42 games over the past three years. Sophomore defender Jennifer White (Albuquerque, N.M./Albuquerque Academy) will once again bolster the Tigers stingy defense. Junior defender Katy Lipscomb (Edinburg, Texas/Edinburg North) scored six goals (two game-winners), and had five assists from her outside back position.

Two veteran seniors are midfielder Kristina Chen (Houston/Clear Brook) and defender Nikki Blavet (Austin, Texas/Cedar Park).

A returning forward is sophomore Shelby Guenthardt (Winter Springs, Fla./Winter Springs). Three midfielders return to add to the Tigers firepower: juniors Samantha Atkins (Austin, Texas/McNeil) and Lauren Henderson (Fullerton, Calif./Troy), along with sophomore Tara Sparks (McAllen, Texas/McAllen).

“I know our returning players have recognized the value of having a competitive edge,” Coach Key said. “Every match we play is of tremendous importance.

“We want to play an attractive style. Yes, we want to be able to pass and receive. And yes, we do want to be able to score fantastic goals that are enjoyable to the spectator. But, in the end, we have to get results. The only way we will get results is by working very hard on a regular basis, and doing everything we can on an individual level to develop ourselves into our collective effort. “

Joining the women’s soccer staff is Assistant Coach Owen Collie, who came to Trinity from the local youth club, S.A. United.

The SCAC returns to a conference-tournament format, to be held Nov. 4-6 at Birmingham-Southern College at Birmingham, Ala. The tournament winner receives the SCAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.

Trinity will co-host (with San Antonio Sports) the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Soccer Championships. The semifinals and finals are slated for Dec. 2-3 at Blossom Soccer Stadium.

Save the Dates:

Paul McGinlay Field  - named in honor of the Tiger men’s coach - will officially be dedicated Sept. 23, prior to the Tiger women’s game with Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio).

Trinity’s Alumni Weekend is set for Oct. 7-9, and the Tigers have two SCAC games during that time period. Rhodes is Trinity’s opponent Oct. 7, and Millsaps comes to campus Oct. 9.

Tanya Zwick Rinebarger ’96, a former women’s soccer All-American, is among nine honorees who will be inducted into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 8. The ceremony is set for halftime of the Tigers football game with Sewanee: University of the South on Oct. 8, with a . kickoff of 1:30 p.m..A reception in the Bell Athletic Center Lobby will follow the game.

Trinity Soccer Friends and Family Weekend will feature a SCAC game with Hendrix on Oct. 23.