For the past seven years, Samford soccer has ruled the Southern Conference with an iron paw.
This year, the Bulldogs are looking to extend their success to eight consecutive SoCon regular-season titles. Over the past four years, head coach Todd Yelton’s Bulldog roster has only lost one single conference game, and he will look to continue this history of success during SoCon play beginning on Sept. 24.
In 2021, the Bulldogs will have played four Power 5 teams in Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas before starting their conference schedule against VMI on Friday. Currently sitting at a record of 3-3-2, Samford’s offense is led by senior Alyssa Frazier in the outfield and junior goalkeeper Morgan McAslan.
Both Frazier and junior forward Taylor Yount are leading the offensive scoring attack. For Frazier, she has one assist and two goals on the year as well as her own SportsCenter Top Ten play against UAB. Yount leads the team assist total on the year (3) coupled with her one goal.
As for the defense, McAslan and crew have only allowed more than one goal twice all year with two impressive shutouts. Among players with more than 600 minutes played, McAslan ranks 3rd in the SoCon in goals against average with 0.94.
Over the seven games played so far, 12 players have tallied either a goal or assist. The backline of Lindsey Origliasso, Kylie Gazza, Ella Simpson, and Alyssa Conarton have played 2,498 of the possible 2,680 minutes.
The Bulldogs are heading into this year’s SoCon schedule with an experienced and tested roster that has proven themselves against big opponents. If the variety scoring and strong backline defending continue throughout the rest of the year, the conference schedule becomes must-watch athletics.
The Bulldogs next game will be at home against the VMI Keydets on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Preceding the game, there will be a field dedication for Shauna Yelton, the late wife of head coach Todd Yelton.
