Has been unlucky with injuries over the years, but will hopefully play a key role this season ... has the ability to be an outstanding defender ... shows glimpses of greatness when fully healthy.

Marchele Olds

2007 (sophomore): Bounced back from an incessant injury to start nine games for the Bulldogs . . . earned playing time in 16 matches and logged 1,040 minutes on the field . . . played a key role in Samford's defense that tallied an Ohio Valley Conference-best 0.73 goals-against average . . . came up from her position on the back line to rattle off five shot attempts with two being on-goal . . . started the final nine games of the season for the Bulldogs and logged 110 minutes of playing time against Southeast Missouri in the championship match of the 2007 OVC Tournament . . . earned her second varsity letter.

2006 (medical redshirt): Was forced to sit out the season due to an injury . . . member of the Athletic Department's 3.0 Club for finishing the year with a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49.

Marchele Olds

2005 (freshman): Played in 20 of 23 matches, making 15 starts . . . came up from her defensive position to score the team's first goal of the season in a 3-0 victory over Wofford Aug. 26 . . . finished the year with one goal and two assists for four points . . . was second on the team in shooting percentage (.250) . . . played a key role in the Bulldogs' defensive back line that led the OVC in both goals-against average (0.54) and shutouts (12) . . . earned her first varsity letter. High School: Played for the Sting Soccer Club, one of the country's premier women's soccer teams . . . helped guide her team to a pair of third-place finishes at the USYSA National Championships (2002 and 2003), two Region III Championships (2002 and 2003) and three state titles (2001, 2002 and 2003) . . . was a four-year varsity starter at Bryan Adams High School . . . earned 2005 Most Valuable Player honors in her district . . . member of the 2004 All-District team . . . named the district's Freshman of the Year in 2002 . . . voted both an All-District performer and the Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2003 . . . also lettered in volleyball, swimming and cross-country, and was a member of the cheering squad . . . earned Bryan Adams' prestigious Gold Cougar award.

Personal: Born Feb. 2, 1987 . . . daughter of Mark and Lyn Olds . . . older brother played soccer and football at Austin College . . . majoring in nursing.

Marchele Olds

ONE-ON-ONE WITH OLDS
I have to admit, I am really good at: talking in accents
Favorite place to eat: Wendy's
Favorite movie: "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
Favorite musical group: Reliant K
Favorite athlete: Brenden Morrow of the Dallas Stars

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

My favorite Samford memory is:
Probably a tie between the time in the cafeteria when Val (Kikkert) laid on the conveyor belt (the thing that all the trays of nasty wasted food and drinks go on) and went through the tiny hole in the wall to the kitchen in the back. The other one is when Cayley (Winters) pulled a chair up to the front of the cafeteria and screamed the National Anthem for all to hear - she was terrible!

The one thing I'll miss the most about Samford soccer is:
Definitely the camaraderie; these girls have grown to be my best friends, accountability partners, role models and sisters. Although coming in close second is all the 6 a.m., weights, Cooper tests and coach's loud, shrill screams.

The most important thing I can tell incoming freshmen is:
Injuries will happen. They are not the end of the world, but rather a time to further trust in the Lord's perfect plan, seek His will for your life and to be an encourager for your teammates. Although getting the minutes you think you deserve does seem important, it's those lasting bonds that you form with your teammates that will never be forgotten. At the end of your college career, no one will care about who started or who scored the game-winning goals, rather everyone will recall who constantly encouraged, motivated and sought to lift others' spirits. Cherish every moment you are blessed with as a collegiate athlete; it truly does fly by.