Toledo Kicks Off 2012 Campaign with Home Scrimmage Against Detroit on Friday
TOLEDO, OH - Toledo makes its long-awaited return to the pitch on Friday, Aug. 10 to hold a scrimmage against Horizon League member Detroit. The contest is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Scott Park.
The two-time reigning Mid-American Conference regular-season champion Rockets reported for preseason workouts on Tuesday, July 31 and have been through more than a dozen training sessions over the course of the last eight days.
UT returns 18 letterwinners and welcomes 10 newcomers to two-time reigning MAC Coach of the Year Brad Evans' 2012 squad. The Midnight Blue & Gold is loaded with talent and will be led against the Titans by 2011 MAC Offensive Player of the Year junior Rachel MacLeod (31 Points, 11 Goals, 9 Assists), 2010 second-team All-MAC selection senior tri-captain Rachael Kravitz (6 Assists), along with returning starters senior Jaimie Morsillo (5 Points, 2 Goals, 1 Assist in 2010), senior Megan Blake (7 Points, 3 Goals, 1 Assist) and senior tri-captain Kristen Mattei (6 Points, 2 Goals, 2 Assists).
Coach Evans and Toledo will be without the services of senior tri-captain Natalia Gaitàn against the Titans, as the two-time All-Great Lakes Region honoree is still home in Colombia after competing in the Summer Olympics in London.
One of the question marks for the Rockets this fall will be between the posts, where they must replace two-time All-MAC honoree Vicki Traven. The four-year starter wrapped up her collegiate career first in school history in victories (51), goals-against average (0.81), shutouts (34) and minutes played (7,068:51).
Sophomore Kelsey Borowitz looks to be the heir apparent to Traven. The third-year Rocket appeared in three matches last fall and was credited with seven saves in 142:05 in goal.
In 2011, the Rockets posted a 14-7-2 overall ledger, including a stellar 9-1-1 mark in the MAC, to successfully defend their league regular-season championship and capture a league-record fourth tourney title.
Detroit posted a 12-6-2 ledger last fall and finished 5-2-1 in the Horizon League, advancing to the tourney semifinals for a second straight season. The Titans will be paced by the 2011 first-team all-conference duo of Abby McCollum (20 points, 6 goals, 8 assists) and Kaitlyn Quarrell (16 points, 6 goals, 4 assists).
UT will open its regular season at Big Ten member Purdue on Friday, Aug. 17 at 7:00 p.m. before hosting Belmont two days later at 1:00 p.m. at Scott Park.
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