Soccer (Women's)
Wade Bolsters Squad
By
May 16, 2008, 13:41

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Head Coach Benjamin Wade has announced three additions to the 2008 Lady Bearcat Soccer squad. Adding more international flavor to SBU’s game will be two Welsh National team members in freshman Nicola Cousins and Terrence Beddows, and Camdenton, Missouri’s Blaire Baker.

Nicola Cousins

Nicola Cousins comes to SBU from Cardiff, Wales where she has played soccer since the age of 5. She spent the first few years of her life playing for her school then at the age of 11 she joined the club team of Cardiff. Cousins’ has represented her Country (Wales) at the under 19 and Senior levels. She describes herself as “a very versatile player who can use both feet and loves to tackle”

Coach Wade on Nicola “"Nicola comes to SBU with probably the most decorated national experience to date of any players to put on an SBU uniform.  She has traveled the world playing for the Welsh National Team, with over 20 caps to her credit.  She is fast, agressive, and deadly at any position.  It will be an interesting experience to find the right fit not for her as a player, but for her as an imact positional player for our squad."

Terrence Beddows

Terrence Beddows joins SBU also from Cardiff, Wales where she currently plays for Cardiff City who play in the highest league in the United Kingdom. She began playing soccer at the age of 13 when she played for her comprehensive school. Her first game was at a tournament on the beach, after which she was asked to join Swansea under 16’s. It wasn’t long after this that she was asked to play for Llaneli ladies, which she stayed at until she was 17, before moving to Cardiff where she is now. At Cardiff she experienced some of the most intense training of her life, and after sitting the bench for a while she was given a chance on the field and immediately claimed a permanent spot. Beddows has also represented her country (Wales) at the under 19 and senior level.

Coach Wade on Terrence: “She is going to be a force for our defense this year.  She is everything you want in a defender: strong, powerful, incredible stature, and excellent skills.  I can see her coming in and making an impact her first year.  She will be a rock and anchor anywhere we put her, and I expect nothing less than for her to win a starting position immediately."

Blaire Baker

Blaire Baker is from Camdenton, Mo., where she was a four-year letterman for the Lady Lakers. During her high school career, Baker started every game but two. She was captain both her junior and senior years. She earned 2^nd-Team and Honorable Mention All-District honors her sophomore and junior year. She was awarded the Lady Laker “Heart and Hustle” award, and was voted as team MVP two consecutive years. Baker has played soccer since the age of four. She is a two-year letterman in both volleyball and basketball. She is president of the National Honor Society and Key Club.

Coach Wade's comments: "Blaire is a diamond in the rough, who is going to fully blossom under our system. She is hard working, tough, coachable, and someone who will get better each and every year. We are fortunate to be able to sign Blaire at such a late date, and she will be a great addition to our program."