2009 Pac-10 Women's Soccer Preview Series

TEAM QUICK FACTS
2008 Overall Record: 6-11-2
2008 Pac-10 Record/Finish: 1-7-1/10th

Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 16/4
Newcomers: 11

Head Coach: Linus Rhode (2nd year)
Alma Mater: Portland '96
Record at Oregon State: 6-11-2 (1st season)
Assistant Coaches: Morgan Crabtree, Michelle Voiland

2009 TEAM PREVIEW
The Beavers will have an experienced group of returnees in 2009 and will look to build off this strength. OSU had a strong spring practice, capped off by a 2-1 victory over in-state rival Oregon in a scrimmage. In addition to 10 returning starters, the Beavers have a strong group of newcomers, including midfielder/forward Melinda Ingalls, a Division-II transfer where she was named the team's Most Valuable Player and Freshman of the Year in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference while at Western Oregon University. Ingalls also scored the only goal for the Beavers in their 3-1 loss against the U.S. U-23 squad in a spring scrimmage. Senior midfielder Rachael Axon, a 2008 Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 pick, started all 19 games last season and will be a strong anchor in the midfield for the OSU. The leading scorer from a year ago, midfielder/forward Najma Homidi, who netted four goals last season will look to be a threat for the Beavers up front.

KEY MATCHUPS
• Sept. 25 at Portland, 7 p.m. PT
• Oct. 16 vs. Oregon 7:30 p.m. PT
The Beavers will travel to face national powerhouse Portland on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. PT. That match is only two games away from when the Beavers will begin Pac-10 play, so it will be a good test for the team. On Oct. 16 Oregon State will host in-state rival Oregon at 7:30 p.m. PT. The match should prove to be very competitive for in 2008 the two squads played to a 0-0 draw in double overtime.

BEAVER TO WATCH
4 • Rachael Axon
SR • Forward • London, England.

In Axon's first season at Oregon State as a sophomore, after transfering from the Univ. of Alabama-Birmingham, she started 18 games and led the team with six assists. In 2008, Axon earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 honors after starting in the midfield in all 19 contests, ranking third on the team in goals scored (2) and in points (5) last year. Axon has been a member of England's U-23, U-21 and U-19 national teams. She has also been invited to and has participated at the senior national team camp in England. The Beavers will look to Axon in 2009 to be a strong leader and tough player from the midfield position who is a threat to score or can use her soccer vision to distribute the ball.