MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State’s head soccer coach Jodie Smith has named Molly Rouse as the new assistant coach. She will be serving as the recruiting coordinator and position players coach with the main focus on the midfielders.
Prior to ASU Rouse served two years at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, College Prep Boarding school in Minnesota. While at Shattuck, Rouse played a key role in all facets of the program’s development towards new heights, which went beyond her primary duties as the assistant coach for the U18 team. Rouse was responsible for the program’s alumni relations, travel coordination and organizing recruiting events.
Before arriving at SSM, Rouse capped her stellar career playing in the Women’s Premier Soccer League with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Coach Rouse played her collegiate career for the University of Minnesota, where she played a key role for the Gophers in the Big Ten championship game during the 2008 season. She assisted with earning two NCAA tournament appearances both during the 2008 and 2010 seasons, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen twice. Rouse was a four-year starter at the midfield position and served as team captain her junior and senior years. As a freshman Rouse was named to the All-Big Ten Team in 2007 and All-Big Ten Second Team in 2009, and earned team Midfield MVP her final two seasons. She graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education, a minor in Child Psychology, with an emphasis on American Sign Language. While at Minnesota she earned All-Big Ten Academic honors for three years.
Rouse holds a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) National “C” License.
“I am very excited about Molly joining our team. She brings a wealth of experience as a player and a coach,” stated Smith. “Rouse has played at the highest level in college along with her professional career, as well as coaching at one of the leading prep schools in the country.
SOFTBALL DROPS DOUBLE HEADER TO JACKSON STATE
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama State softball team dropped a double header to Jackson State 5-2 and 9-1 Sunday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
GAME 1- Alabama State was scoreless in their last three and a half innings, while holding Jackson State scoreless for their last three innings.
Both clubs managed runs in the first inning, with JSU scoring two runs on three hits. ASU’s first run of the game came on an Aleesa Yanez single to center field scoring Tamara Williams, who tripled to right field before Yanez.
In the third inning, both teams would plate runs with Jackson State pushing the score to 4-2. The Lady Hornets lone run of the inning came when Diauna Nelson slapped a double to left field scoring Meagan Dixon, who reached base as a result of a fielder’s choice.
Jackson State would score once more in the fourth inning to give the game it’s final. ASU accounted for seven hits but stranded six runners throughout the game.
GAME 2- In the second half of today’s double dip, JSU got out to an early lead as they took a 7-0 advantage after two innings. ASU’s pitching got off to a slow start as Jackson State was able to turn five hits and three walks into seven runs.
JSU scored two more runs, one in the third and again in the fourth before ASU would get their only run of the contest.
In the fifth inning, Dixon, who blasted a triple to left field, came in on a Nelson’s ground ball to second to make the score read 9-1. The Lady Hornets would run out of gas, as JSU closed the door on the weekend series finishing the game in five innings.
“I think we became complacent in what we were doing and we didn’t make adjustments,” Assistant Coach Brittanie Talley said. “Attitude can be contagious when you get down on yourself.”
Next up for Lady Hornets will be a mid-week match against Florida A&M Tuesday, April 1, with a 5 p.m. start time at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex. For live stats, updates and everything ASU Softball log on to www.bamastatesports.com
