CLARKSVILLE – The first chance to catch the Austin Peay State University soccer team in action will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field when the Governors host Bethel for an exhibition match to kick off the 2021 season.
The first preseason test for the Govs will be the first collegiate action for the 12 freshmen on fourth-year head coach Naomi Kolarova's squad. Joining Austin Peay's dozen freshmen are 15 returners, including Claire Larose and Gybson Roth, who are each taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility provided by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also returning for the Governors is the goalkeeper duo of Chloé Dion and Peyton Powell. After having no collegiate starters entering last season, the duo became one of just three pairs of Ohio Valley Conference teammates to each record double-digit saves during the 2020 season.
On the offensive end, the Govs return each of their top-three scorers from the 2020 season, led by Rachel Bradberry, who scored seven points with three goals and an assist. Larose scored six points with a pair of goals and a pair of assists, while Tori Case earned OVC All-Newcomer honors with five points, scoring one goal and dishing out a team-high three assists.
The OVC announced its 2021 predicted order of finish, Monday, with the Governors tabbed to finish seventh. Case also was named to the league's 2021 Preseason Players to Watch List after posting the fifth-best single-season assists per game (0.30 apg) mark in program history during her freshman season.
Thursday's exhibition against Bethel and Sunday's exhibition against Middle Tennessee will not be broadcast on ESPN+, however, Austin Peay will broadcast all seven regular-season home matches on ESPN+.
Up Next
Austin Peay will suit up for one more preseason test when they play a 1 p.m., Sunday match against Middle Tennessee at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field. After taking on the Blue Raiders, the Governors kick off the regular season with a 7 p.m., Aug. 19, match at Western Kentucky. The Govs play their home opener when they host a 7 p.m., Aug. 27, match against Kansas State.
