2009 Georgia Bulldogs Soccer Preview

The Lady Bulldogs had a somewhat interesting season in 2008. The team's schedule was a loaded with out of conference talent, featuring nine matchups in its first 11 games against ranked opponents. In light of this top heavy schedule, there was little surprise that the team's season could best be described as a "tale of two halves".

In the first half of the season, the Lady Bulldogs went 2-7-1, including a stretch of 0-6-1 vs. seven ranked opponents in a row. However the Lady Bulldogs ultimately found their groove once SEC play got fully underway, and for the duration of SEC play the team played at a high level, beating nearly everyone in their path and finishing the season with a 7-3-1 record in the SEC. This run also included a win over the then seventh ranked Florida Lady Gators, who had beaten them earlier in the season 2-1 in overtime. The Georgia Lady Bulldogs finished the 2008 season with a record of 11 wins vs. 11 losses with one tie. Lady Bulldogs supporters everywhere are hoping that the second half of the season is how this team will start in 2009.

The Lady Bulldogs of struggled a bit on the offensive and, with only one player really stepping up to become anything close to an offensive force. The player was Carrie Patterson. Patterson, over the course of the season, managed to put eight goals in the back of the net, and amassed a total of 21 points for the year. Only two other players even managed double-digit point totals for the season. Those players were Ashley Miller (11 points) and Megan Tomlinson (10 points). The primary credit for even managing an 11-11 season may have to go to the primary goaltender on the team, that being Michele Betos. Betos, in her 23 games, only allowed an average of 1.19 goals per game.

The Lady Bulldogs began play in 1995, a season which resulted in a record of 10 wins, five losses, and three ties. And the team continued its strong play from in 1996. During that season, the team went on to finish with a record of 14-7, with continued strong play within the SEC. And one year later, the Georgia Lady Bulldogs climbed a new hurdle, advancing to their first ever NCAA tournament.

1998 in 1999 brought continued success to the field for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. In 1999, the team reached its highest national ranking ever, climbing to #12. The team had a strong season overall and advanced to the SEC championship game for it ultimately lost two ole miss. The dawn of the new millennium brought continued success for Georgia, however it had gone from being an SEC Power two just another good team within the conference and after a disappointing season in 2004 of longtime coach slew Monde tag me pat berg left the team.

With her departure came Patrick Baker from Florida State, who has affectively revitalized and refurbished Lady Bulldogs soccer. The team once again is competitive and is, on occasion, beating the elite SEC programs. The hope among followers is that a few more positive years will return in Georgia to its rightful place alongside Florida and LSU as one of the powers in SEC soccer.