User:Eryales

History 1st Year
In today’s society soccer is the most popular women’s sport in Georgia Junior College Athletics. Wanting to join the fundamental sport, in 2006 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College got there first women’s soccer team. With the help of head coach Jimmy Ballenger and original assistant coach Chad Howell,, ABAC brought together a very strong and determined team. Every girl coming into the team had no idea what to expect out of this journey, but soon each girl learned out it was one of the best years of their lives. The Fillies won their first game ever (on E.B Hamilton), defeating Georgia Military 5-0. Ballenger was glad to say that “his players showed that they had the fitness and conditioning to last through a long game.” The Fillies continuously showed everybody that they were playing to win. By ending the season with a record of 10-5-1 and making it to the 1st round of play-offs, the Fillies couldn’t have given a better 1st year.

History 2nd Year
After having their assistant coach Howell leave due to some personal problems, the Fillies were a little nerve about the second season. Finally picking up eleven new players (nine freshmen and two sophomores) and getting a new assistant coach Doug Head, the Fillies were once again ￼ready to show everybody how the Fillies play, and after getting their new field on campus they were extremely  excited to play. Having 11 new great players, Ballenger had to decide who would play on the field. The starting line up consisted of four or five freshmen and the rest returning sophomores The Fillies struggled a little more during their 2nd year on the field. They lost games to teams that they had beaten in the previous year. And losing three players throughout the season didn’t bring the team up either. The Fillies played an amazing game against the former national junior college soccer champions Young Harris. “Although Young Harris controlled the ball most of the game, The Fillies had some scoring chances and were able to keep the high-powered lady mountains lions in check for most of the game. ‘’Even though the fillies lost 3-0, Ballenger was stilled pleased with his team. Ending the 2nd year with a record of 9-6-1, the girls always gave all they had on the field.”

Original Fillies
Even though their will be more Fillies to come, no one will ever forget the first original Fillies. When asked about the second season, returning captain Natalie Barber commented, “ We had a fun season full of lots of ups and downs. Compared to our first inaugural season, we didn’t fair as well this year. Our sophomores had the most heart and are some of the best players I’ve ever played with.” (interview) Another original Fillie and sister of former asst. coach Howell, Esther Howell expressed what it was like to be an  original Fillie, “ I am very proud to tell people that I am an original ABAC soccer Fillie. We had a few tough losses, but in our first year we were 10-5-1 in a region with two national champs of the past few years.” (interview) The original fillies will always be remembered as the unexpected new team that following Fillies will have to live up to.

New Field
The first year of the program the fillies had to play on E.B Hamilton fields. Determined to get a field of there own the fillies couldn’t wait to have there own field set up. “On Nov 30, 2007 there was a groundbreaking ceremony at the future sight of the complex. ”The ceremony announce that the Fillies will be having a game field of their owns and also a practice field beside it. The Fillies new field was announce to be one of the best fields around junior colleges. ABAC spent a lot of time and hard work on this field. And it all paid off with all the hard playing time the Fillies did.

More Information
If you wanted to find out more about the women’s ABAC soccer team you can go to there website: http://www.abac.edu/pe/wsoccer.html. Or you can try and contact the ABAC.

Work Cited
Shippey, Daniel. “Soccer team will have home field advantage beginning in the fall” The Stallion 7 April. 2007:12

Barber, Natalie. Personal interview. 13 Nov. 2007

Howell, Esther. Personal interview. 13 Nov. 2007

Vassey, Dusty. “ABAC stays close but lose to champs” The Tifton Gazette 4 Sept.2007:1B

Wilson, Shirley. Copyright 2002 ABAC Athletics Division 