AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Texas women's soccer team will begin a new era under new head coach Andy Tunnicliffe on Friday as they open the season at home against Hendrix at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.

The Tornados will return to the pitch for the first time in 2019, facing the Warriors in a non-conference matchup at 5 p.m. in Round Rock, Texas.
Tunnicliffe is ready for CTX to take the field and begin the new season.

"This is a very exciting time for women's soccer," Tunnicliffe said. "We are improving the culture and the work ethic within the group on a daily basis and we are setting realistic goals for our team. I have been really impressed with our athletes' energy and focus since I arrived here in the spring."

The Tornados were picked to finish sixth in the American Southwest Conference Preseason Poll, which was voted on by the league's head coaches and sport information directors.

Concordia Texas returns with a wealth of talent, including four All-ASC honorees. Kayla Carlove, Cayla Gonzalez and Ashtyn Dilworth were all named to the ASC Players to Watch list.

Carlove is one of the team's four seniors and a two-time All-ASC selection. Last season, Carlove controlled the midfield for the Tornados, contributing to the team's three shutouts, while individually registered two goals and an assist.

Gonzalez, a junior out of Austin, Texas, battled injuries throughout the season but was second on the team in goals scored, finishing the year with four goals and two assists.

Dilworth, meanwhile, is a freshman from Schertz, Texas, who was named a 6A First Team All-Region and All-District selection in her senior season while playing for Clemens High School and will look to make an immediate impact on the field for CTX.

The Tornados will have a full slate of games to begin the season, playing six games in the team's first 24 days, including non-conference battles with Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference foes Schreiner and University of Dallas on Sept. 10 and Sept. 22, respectively.

Concordia Texas will open conference play on Sept. 26, playing host to East Texas Baptist. The team will face their longest road trip of the season in October, playing three straight games on the road, concluding with a matchup against defending conference champion Hardin-Simmons on Oct. 26 in Abilene, Texas.

The Tornados will seek to make their 10th straight conference tournament appearance after reaching the quarterfinals last season.

Tunnicliffe believes his team is prepared for the upcoming year and cannot wait to get started.

"Our freshman have come in and immediately added quality to our training sessions. Our returners have come back fitter and sharper than before," Tunnicliffe said. "We are really looking forward to a strong first season together."