* 2007 Team Captain
* 2005 Samford Most Improved Player

A freak of an athlete . . . fitness is a priority . . . hard-working player that possesses some of the best speed on the team . . . challenges for balls better than anyone else . . . excellent player in the air . . . has a great ability to score goals . . . motivates teammates with her work ethic . . . brings a physical presence to the forward position.

Cassie Applegate

2006 (junior): Made the transition from defender to forward and finished the year tied for second place on the team in goals (4) . . . she also added a pair of assists and concluded the season with 10 points . . . started in 16 of the team's 18 matches and earned playing time in 17 contests . . . proved to be one of the Bulldogs' top offensive threats and finished the season with 28 shots, 17 of which were on goal . . . recorded Samford's game-winning goals in victories against Florida International (Aug. 25) and Morehead State (Oct. 1) . . . added goals versus Murray State (Oct. 15) and Southeast Missouri in the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament (Nov. 3) . . . earned OVC Player of the Week honors Aug. 29 after scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist in the Bulldogs' 3-1 win at Florida International . . . ranked third in the OVC in game-winning goals (2) . . . named to Samford's prestigious Dean's List for having a grade-point average of at least 3.5 . . . earned her third varsity letter.

2005 (sophomore): Played in 20 of 23 matches, making six starts . . . earned the Bulldogs' Most Improved Player award at the team's annual postseason banquet . . . finished the season with three points after scoring a goal and tallying an assist . . . registered a goal in the Bulldogs' 4-1 victory over OVC-opponent Austin Peay Oct. 23 . . . set up Marian Wagner's record-breaking goal in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against 19th-ranked Vanderbilt . . . earned her second varsity letter.

2004 (freshman): Spent a predominant portion of the non-conference schedule recovering from a leg injury she suffered in her senior season at high school . . . played in 11 matches . . . took one shot against Southern Miss Aug. 27 . . . contributed to Samford's defense that was ranked 13th in the nation in shutout percentage (.560) . . . earned her first varsity letter.

High School: Named first-team All-Conference in 2002 . . . also a member of the Metro North first team, an ICGSA first-team member, and an All-Indiana and an All-District second-team performer in 2002 . . . ran track, played basketball and was a member of the chess team . . . was a state qualifier and finalist in track . . . played club ball for the Carmel Commotion along with fellow Samford soccer player Jamie Stout . . . helped guide the team to a regional championship and an appearance in the national championship game.

Personal: Born Aug. 27, 1985 . . . daughter of Marcus and Jodelle Applegate . . . majoring in elementary education.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH APPLEGATE
I have to admit, I am really good at: dodgeball
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite movie: Racing Stripes
Favorite actor: Owen Wilson
Favorite TV show: Home Makeover

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

My favorite Samford memory is:
Advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005. We worked so hard and it made our victory against Vanderbilt that much sweeter.

The one thing I'll miss the most about Samford soccer is:
The team. The girls are my family away from home. God knew what He was doing when He brought me to Samford. I'm so thankful for the friendships and the awesome experiences I've had both on and off the field. I have developed lifelong friendships that have impacted my life in huge ways.

The most important thing I can tell incoming freshmen is:
It doesn't slow down, it flies by. Step out of your comfort zone early, meet new people, set high goals, learn time management early on, learn from your mistakes, make wise decisions and just have fun!