Women’s Soccer Positional Preview No. 1: Forwards

BOCA RATON, Fla. – With the 2018 kickoff exactly a week away, FAUSports.com sat down with Patrick Baker, about to embark on his sixth season as head coach of the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team. This marks the first of four position-by-position previews for the upcoming season.

Today: Forwards
Monday, Aug. 13: Midfielders
Wednesday, Aug. 15: Defenders
Friday, Aug. 17: Goalkeepers

On the current 29-player roster, six make up the frontline contingency. Here is a breakdown of the forward group:

Returnees (5): Junior Tiril Haga (switch from midfield), Junior Elisha Holmes, Senior Amanda Karabin (switch from midfield), Sophomore Miracle Porter, Junior Pernille Velta
Newcomers (1): Junior college transfer Darien Davis
Lost (3): Kelly Harris, Sammy Lujan, Alex Mastrobuono

Coach Baker on the forwards:
"This group is the most athletic and dynamic we've since our arrival. There's a lot of great attributes that a number of them bring to the table. We're on the older, more mature end of the spectrum. A lot were freshmen, sophomores the last two years, to now be juniors or seniors, that will hopefully show as they perform."

Darien Davis

Newcomer from Eastern Florida State College
Last season, was NJCAA First Team All-American and Region 8 Player of the Year, as she scored 15 goals and added 10 assists in 16 games
Was Atlantic Sun All-Freshman her first season, at Florida Gulf Coast

"Darien has tremendous speed, everywhere she's gone, she's been successful (All-Freshman at Florida Gulf Coast, All-Conference, All-Region, All-American at Eastern Florida). There hasn't been a session all preseason where she hasn't had at least one or two breakaways. You face the wrong side on her and you're not catching her."

Tiril Haga

Five starts in 15 matches last season as a sophomore, in the midfield
Had one goal, a game-winner, and one assist
The year before, as a freshman, started 15 of 22 matches, with a goal and two assists

"Tiril is probably the most improved player in 2018 for us. Tremendous fitness base, we have her now moving from the midfield to the front line. She's very active, very clean on the ball, creating chances for herself and others. I'm excited, this should be her best year."

Elisha Holmes

Posted 16 starts in 19 matches last season as a sophomore
Had three goals, a team-high five assists, was second on the team with 11 points, and was named Third Team All-Conference USA
Was C-USA All-Freshman the year before, totaling four goals and adding three assists

"Elisha is probably, in regards to name recognition, the most known forward we have, with her speed and athleticism. Being named captain as an underclassman speaks of her as a person and how her teammates feel about her and want her to lead this year. That is a wonderful platform there. She continues to learn about the game, becoming a better passer and better problem solver. In saying that, even though she's had two good years, I think this will be her best year to date."

Amanda Karabin

Appeared in five matches last season in her first year in the squad, is moving to the frontline from midfield
Spent the previous two seasons at Brookdale Community College, including winning the 2015 NJCAA Women's Soccer National Championship
As a sophomore, scored 12 goals and added 16 assists in 19 matches, earning First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region

"Amanda is definitely going to be, along with'P' (Pernille Velta), our back-to-goal presence. She's tall, strong, she's going to hold on to the ball, and she has another good fitness base. I think last year, coming from JUCO to Division I was a little bit more of a transition than she and I had thought, but her fitness and energy is going to get her on the field. I'm hoping she can create and score goals in her last fall season."

Miracle Porter

In her debut season, started five of 16 matches, with three goals and an assist
Two of those goals came in a come-from-behind road win at Southern Utah, including the game-winner
Holds the Florida high school state record (since 1997) with 238 goals, a mark that ranks fourth nationwide

"I think the key for Miracle and her classmates coming back this year as sophomores, is just being better. After a first year of college, whether it's social, academics, being away from home, she's got a lot of great tools. We've got to find where she can play, who she best plays with, and we like her because of her speed and athleticism being higher up to the field. Just like any forward, it's the consistency in scoring goals. We've had a lot of people chip in, but no one banging in 10, 12, 15 goals, I think we have a player or two capable of doing that this year."

Pernille Velta

As a sophomore, in 21 matches with 16 starts, led the Owls with 12 points, on four goals and four assists
Both marks were second on the team
Had seven points and three goals as a freshman

" 'P' has' come back this fall really good. She plays great back-to-goal, has the ability to turn in tight spaces, creates chances and can score goals. Just like so many players in that junior class, doing so much early in their careers. Going to the championship game as a freshman, a step away last year, she's been a big part of our success."

The position-by-position women's soccer breakdown continues Monday with midfielders. Tickets for the season opener (Aug. 17 at FAU Stadium versus Miami), and all home games, can be purchased by visiting www.fausports.com, or calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Darien Davis

Tiril Haga

Kelly Harris

Elisha Holmes

Amanda Karabin

Sammy Lujan

Alex Mastrobuono

Miracle Porter

Pernille Velta

Upcoming Events

Florida Atlantic University Athletics