How long did it take to notice a change in the Baylor soccer program in 2009? From the first whistle of an exhibition match against TCU on Aug. 12 it was evident that things were different. With the stands nearly filled, and students with body paint screaming from the bleachers, the excitement for Baylor soccer filled Betty Lou Mays Field. Sure the Bears' performance was a highlight, but the buzz was back and head coach Marci Jobson's program was headed in the right direction.
The 2009 Baylor squad accomplished many feats, and did so with a chip on their shoulder. After being picked 10th in the Big 12 Preseason poll, the Bears earned the No. 7 seed at the conference tournament. The Bears wrapped up the season with an 8-6-5 mark, recording the most wins by the program since an eight-win season in 2002. In addition, BU registered three conference wins, which was the most since 2002, and qualified to the Big 12 Tournament for the first time since 2006.
They did it with heart, passion, work ethic and a drive that stems directly from their passionate coaching staff. But more than any of those individual things, the team did it TOGETHER. With seniors embracing the freshmen and juniors and sophomores stepping up to new levels, the Bears were a team that had changed and were making their presence felt.
Through the first five games, Baylor remained undefeated, going 3-0-2 and outscoring its opponents 11-2. In conference, the Bears showed the rest of the Big 12 they were overlooked, picking up wins over Colorado, Iowa State and Kansas. The defense, which finished second in the conference in goals allowed, showed its stuff against a potent Nebraska offense that was averaging 3.67 goals a game to just one in a draw in Lincoln.
Despite impressive wins and performances all season, the Bears' best might have come in a 0-0 tie. With a berth in the conference tournament on the line, Baylor knew they needed at least a tie on Senior Night at Oklahoma to advance. Baylor's defense showed its strength again, and after 110 minutes of play and a season of sweat and hard work, the goal of postseason play had been accomplished. That draw marked the seventh shutout of the season for BU, and senior goalkeeper Gianna Quintanna had plenty to do with that. Her 0.93 goals against average was the best by a Bears player since Dawn Greathouse posted a 0.69 GAA in 1998.
While the seniors have certainly left their mark, the freshmen class was a big part of the team's success. Three of the top-four points leaders (Hanna Gilmore, Lisa Sliwinski and Dana Larsen) belonged to the new class, while as a whole, the freshmen accounted for 13 goals and 10 assists.
Gilmore was stellar early, being named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week following a two-goal, two-assist effort in the opening weekend. On Oct. 13, junior Lotto Smith (who led the Bears with eight goals on the season) was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week following a three-goal effort over the weekend that led the Bears to an undefeated road weekend. Another freshman made a huge impact late in the season, as Lisa Sliwinski earned a national weekly honor after being named one of CollegeSoccer360.com's Primetime Performers of the week on Oct. 20. Sliwinski scored the game-winning goal for the Bears against Kansas with just 3:33 left in the second overtime period.
As stellar as the Bears were on the field, they are equally, if not more stellar off of it. Thirteen members of the Baylor soccer team were named to the Academic All-Big 12 first team, setting a new program record. Baylor's 13 student-athletes were the third most by any school, however, the Bears had more first-team honorees than any other program.
With so much success in just her second season on the Brazos, Jobson and the Bears realize that the work is far from over, in fact it has just begun. However, with 100 percent of the team's goal scorers returning in 2010, the expectations for the Baylor soccer program are on the rise.
