CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The wait is finally over for Delta State women's soccer as the Lady Statesmen travel to Jackson, Miss., to face Millsaps College for the 2016 season opener on Sept. 1 at 3:00 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES: 

• Delta State leads the series 3-2-1.
• The Lady Statesmen defeated Millsaps College 6-1 during the 2015 season. Delta State's six goals were a season high for the team, and the most since the Lady Statesmen defeated Talladega College 6-1 in 2014.

SEASON OPENERS: The Lady Statesmen are 4-8 all-time in season openers.
 
RETURNING PLAYERS: Delta State returns 13 seniors. Of the returnees, Bailey Saebi, Sam Naughton, Catherine Thomson, Lakyn Cryder, Rebecca Deegan and Tabitha Hayden are the ones to watch.
 
Saebi has been the leader on defense during her career at DSU. Last season, she played in 17 matches with 16 starts and had one goal.
 
Naughton transferred for the 2015 season from Cisco Community College. In her first season, Naughton played in 15 games with four starts and recorded an assist.
 
Thomson, a three-year letterman finished the 2015 season third on the team with 20 shots and was second with 14 on goal.
 
Cryder returns for her junior year. As a freshman, she was a steady offensive contributor, starting in 15 games and tallying 13 shots, with eight on goal. She was named GSC Freshman of the Week in 2014. As a sophomore, she started all 17 matches, attempted 27 shots, with 15 on goal.

Deegan begins her senior season after starting all 17 matches at midfield in 2015, and tallied two assists. Hayden also returns for her senior season. The 2013 Second Team All-GSC selection has been an integral component of the Lady Statesmen's offense during her career. Last season she appeared in 12 games, with eight starts as a midfielder and striker, while recording two assists.
 
NEWCOMERS: Ella Hunkin and Anoucke Baas were named among this year's GSC Top Newcomers and highlight 11 Lady Statesmen newcomers: Zoe Scruggs, Chelsie Hurren, Ali Sullivan, Maggie Amos, Traci Monroe, Rhianna Telfer, Abigail Smith, Tristan Kitchens and Claire Davis.
 
NEW COACH AT THE HELM: Luke Sheekey begins his first season as head coach for the Delta State women's soccer team. He replaces former head coach Paul Babba who resigned following the conclusion of the 2015 season. Sheekey brings eight years of coaching experience to Delta State and holds the highest coaching license issued by the United States Soccer Federation (National "A"). Before arriving to the Delta, Sheekey served at the helm of the Louisiana Olympic Development program and helped direct Holy Cross High School (New Orleans) to its first state championship match appearance in program history prior. Sheekey played soccer for three seasons at Eckerd College and NSCAA and Daktronics All-Region honors during his career.  
 
UP NEXT: The Lady Statesmen will travel to the University of Montevallo on Sept. 4, for a non-conference match-up. Kickoff is set for a 4:00 p.m. start.