The Samford Crimson

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Samford Sports Information Junior goalkeeper Caley Winters has helped lead a stingy Bulldog defense that leads the Ohio Valley Conference in goals allowed and is tied for first in shut-outs.

Flying under the radar, the Samford women's soccer team has emerged as one of the newest dominating forces in the Southeastern region of Division I soccer.

The team is currently ranked 14th in the Southeastern rankings by Soccer Buzz Magazine. That is Samford's highest ranking since being ranked 13th in October of last season.

Their immense success over the past five years at Samford has made them one of the most prolific teams in school history.

Head Coach Todd Yelton, who joined the Bulldogs in 2002, has led the Bulldogs to four straight OVC regular-season titles. He can also take credit for 66 of the program's 99 victories.

"It's been a rewarding experience," Yelton said. "When you put in this much time and energy into being successful and it pays off, it's a nice feeling."

The team is currently playing in its fifth straight season in which they have dominated their conference opponents. The team currently posts a 10-3 (5-0 OVC) record bolstered by a six-game winning streak-all against OVC teams.

"The team effort has been awesome," said freshman forward Lauren Cook. "The team is playing very well together and the commitment level is really high."

If the Bulldogs reel off an unheard of fifth-straight OVC regular season title this season, it will be one for the books in Yelton's mind.

The team has suffered a string of six season-ending injuries this season. The Bulldogs have started as many as three freshmen per game and are still maintaining an undefeated conference record.

"This year has presented its own challenges because of all of the injuries," Yelton said. "But it's been rewarding to deal with the adversity and teach the younger players to have the right mentality and succeed."

If there is one memorable season out of the past five seasons that remains unrivaled, it would be the 2005 campaign.
During that season, Samford won its only OVC Tournament title. The Bulldogs also made it the second round of the NCAA Tournament, reeling off a tournament win over Southeastern Conference powerhouse Vanderbilt.

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