The 2001 MIAC women's soccer season gets underway with non-conference games beginning August 31. Macalester won the 2000 MIAC title for the fourth straight season and advanced to the NCAA playoffs. The Scots have a 42 game unbeaten streak in conference play entering the 2001 season. Macalester is currently ranked sixteenth in the NSCAA Div. III National Rankings.

Watch for St. Benedict to be at the top of the MIAC standings throughout the 2000 campaign. The Blazers return several talented field players and are hoping to improve on their 8-2 MIAC record and second-place tie from last fall. Gustavus, also finishing tied for second in MIAC play, will also be in the hunt for the conference title as the season winds down.


| Augsburg | Bethel | Carleton | Concordia | Gustavus | Hamline | Macalester | St. Benedict | St. Catherine | St. Mary's | St. Olaf | St. Thomas |

Augsburg College
Head Coach:	Mike Navarre (3rd season / 9-25-1 overall)
2000 Record:	7-10-1 (2-7-1 MIAC / 9th)
Key Returners:	Heidi Hilleren (So., Duluth, Minn.), MF, All-MIAC HM in 2000, team's leading scorer (6G-5A-17P). Kristin Lideen (So., Champlin, Minn.), D, All-MIAC HM in 2000, sweeper and anchor of defense. Kristi Ofstad (So., Rapid City, S.D.), MF, third on team in scoring in 2000 (4G-1A-9P). Laura Hoffman (So., Bloomington, Minn.), GK, 0.99 GAA, 72 saves and 3 shutouts in 12 games before injury. Kim Glumich (Jr., Moorhead, Minn.), D, seventh on team in scoring in 2000 (2G-0A-4P). Simone Burch (So., St. Paul, Minn.), F, eighth on team in scoring in 2000 (1G-2A-4P). Katie Cheese (Sr., Shakopee, Minn.), D, solid defender, filled in at GK when Hoffman went out with injury. Katy Udvig (Sr., New Brighton, Minn.), D, 13 games in reserve role last season.
Season Preview:	Back in 1999, it seemed that there was little hope for the future of Augsburg's women's soccer program. The team began the season with serious number problems -- it had to play with just eight players in one contest and nine in another -- and struggled to a 2-15 finish in head coach Mike Navarre's first season. Flash forward to 2001. Augsburg enters the women's soccer season with a new sense of confidence, a deep roster and a renewed attitude toward success. "It's exciting to be a part of a program that's improving. Every game is an opportunity to take another step forward," said Navarre, entering his third season as chief architect of the rebirth of soccer at Augsburg. The Auggies made a dramatic step forward in 2000, finishing with a 7-10-1 overall mark, 2-7-1 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the toughest leagues in NCAA Division III women's soccer. The Auggies outscored their opponents by a 25-22 margin -- the first time Augsburg had outscored its opponents in a season since 1997. Much of the scoring for Augsburg in 2000 came from a talented group of newcomers, and that group has gained a year of experience to bring back to the program. Seventeen of the 23 Auggie players are freshmen or sophomores. "We now have a very young and competitive program," Navarre said. "While I'm pleased that our standard of play has improved, I'm more grateful about the quality of people in our program. I'm honored to coach a group of people who genuinely care for each other and have fun together." Complete preview can be found at: www.augsburg.edu/athletics/soccer/0102wpreview.html

Bethel College
Head Coach:	Scott Krohn (2nd season)
2000 Record:	4-14 (2-8 MIAC / 10th)
Key Returners:	Lindsey Heiligenthal Gretchen Bratnober Priscilla Olson Elizabeth Swenson
Season Preview:	After finishing the 2000 season 4-14 overall and 2-7 in the MIAC, second-year head coach Scott Krohn is hoping for a dramatic rise in the standings as he welcomes back an experienced group of players. Among the returners are the top four scorers and top goalkeeper from last year, including All-MIAC midfielder Lindsey Heiligenthal, and honorable mention All-MIAC players Elizabeth Swenson and Gretchen Bratnober. Swenson led the Royals in scoring in 2000, and Bratnober had a 2.3 goals against average as a goalkeeper. Five of Bethel's 14 losses last year were by one goal, with three losses coming in overtime. If the Royals can turn those around, they will have the opportunity to move into the upper half of the league.

Carleton College
Head Coach:	Bo Conroy (2nd season)
2000 Record:	9-8-0 (5-5-0 MIAC / 5th)
Key Returners:	Birungi Mutebi, Sr., F, Led team with 17 points in 2000, three game-winning goals. Morgan Russell-Dempsey, Sr., F, Second on team with 16 points. Cara Jones, Jr., GK, 1.69 GA and two shutouts in 2000, first-ever year as keeper. Margie Sollinger, Sr., MF, 14 points in 1999, studied abroad in 2000.
Season Preview:	Carleton will soften the blow of six graduated seniors by adding some "newcomers" to the squad. Seniors Margie Sollinger and Sarah Green return from study abroad experiences, giving the Knights an instant infusion of experience. Second-year head coach Bo Conroy. "We're compensating the losses that way, so that will help out," he said. He also pointed to first-year players Caitlin Coomes, an all-state player out of Mounds Park Academy, and Caroline Conrad as players who can contribute right away, along with much-improved senior Amy Burke. Up front, Birungi Mutebi and Morgan Russell-Dempsey give the Knights one of the most explosive frontlines in the region. "Those two are going to create a lot of headaches [for the opposing team]," Conroy said. He is pleased with the progression of his first-year midfielders, which will allow Russell-Dempsey to move to forward. Sollinger will drop to sweeper, giving the Knights solid leadership in the back. Cara Jones, who saw her first action in net last season, returns there this year after posting a 1.60 GA average and two shutouts. Conroy feels that his team is deeper than last year, and a tough non-league schedule may give his side a chance to come together in preparation for the rugged MIAC slate.

Concordia College
Head Coach:	Jim Cella (2nd season / 8-8-0 overall)
2000 Record:	8-8 (3-7 MIAC / 7th-tie)
Key Returners:	Kendra Lee (Jr., Jamestown ND, Jamestown H.S.) 1999 All-MIAC Honorable Mention, 2000 Team Leading Scorer . Kristen Orme (Jr., Mendota Heights MN, Cretin-Derham Hall H.S.) '99 All-MIAC HM, 2000 Team Captain.
Season Preview:	2001 will be a time of transition for the Concordia College women's soccer team. It will be the second year at the helm for dual soccer coach Jim Cella and he is looking for the same intensity that his men's teams have played with in the past. The key will be to balance the field between offense and defense. A feat that has been seldom accomplished in the Cobbers' past two season. In the past two year's either the offense was on track and the defense slipped, or the defense played well and the offense couldn't find the net. That balance will be the focal point in Concordia's goal to attain a winning record in the MIAC, something they haven't had since 1986. Leading the way will be forward Kendra Lee who has shown the knack for putting the ball in the net. In the past two seasons Lee has amassed 86 points. She was the team's leading scorer in 2000 and will be called upon to do more of the scoring with the graduation of fellow forward Jordi Kortan. The defense will be a solid starting point for the Cobbers in 2001. 3 of the 4 starting backs return. The middle of the defense will be patrolled by Kristen Orme (So., Mendota Heights MN, Cretin-Derham Hall H.S.) who was Honrable Mention All-MIAC in 1999. Goalkeeper Kathy Braun returns for her third year as the starting keeper, while wing back Cheri Green is also back for her second year as a starter.

Gustavus Adolphus College
Head Coach:	Mike Stehlik (12th season / 141-42-13 / 80-19-7 MIAC)
2000 Record:	14-4 (8-2 MIAC / 2nd-tie)
Key Returners:	Renee Beaudry, JR, Midfielder, Apple Valley, MN (2000 MIAC Player of the Year, 13 goals, 6 assists). Linnea Carlson, SR, Goalkeeper, Falcon Heights, MN (3-year starter, career 0.85 goals against average, 31 shutouts). Michelle Kurtz, SR, Forward, Bloomington, MN (All-Conference, 3-year starter, 11 goals, 9 assists). Tiffany Alstead, SR, Midfielder, Wayzata, MN (Has started 48 of 53 games played, career 19 goals, 6 assists). Erin Halligan, SR, Defender, St. Paul, MN (Backbone of defense, has started last 34 games for the Gusties).
Season Preview:	The Gustavus women's soccer team returns seven starters from the 2000 campaign, including MIAC Player of the Year Renee Beaudry, after finishing in second place with a 14-4 overall mark and an 8-2 record in MIAC play last season. However, falling to Macalester 1-0 at home in the season finale has left the Gusties with something to desire. Gone from last year's team are five players, including All-Conference selections Sonja Cordes and Katie Cullen. Beaudry led the MIAC in scoring in 2000 with 8 goals and 4 assists for 20 points, and she will need to produce similar numbers in 2001 if the Gusties are to win their sixth MIAC crown. The Gusties will also look to senior forward Michelle Kurtz and senior midfielder Tiffany Alstead for offensive production, while seniors Mandy Havnen and Erin Halligan will shore up the back line. Head Coach Mike Stehlik has organized an extremely challenging non-conference schedule that inlcudes three nationally ranked teams (UW-Stevens Point, Wheaton, University of Chicago) in the team's first four games. The Gusties will travel to Luther College on September 16th before opening their MIAC schedule against Carleton on Spetember 18th. Gustavus will finish the regular season on October 26th at 7pm at Macalester College.

Hamline University
Head Coach:	Sheryl Raithel (3rd season)
2000 Record:	7-9-2 (2-8 MIAC / 10th-tie)
Key Returners:	Sarah Todd (SR) Stacey Thill (SR) Kristen Bedell (SR) Jessica Lum (SO)
Season Preview:	The womens soccer team has caught fire, a blaze undoubtedly sparked by Raithel, the team's spunky and passionate coach. After finishing last year on a roll, the Pipers picked up four individual All-Conference selections and earned the 2000 MIAC Women's Sportsmanship Award during the winter. With three of those All-Conference selections returning the good vibes emanating from early practices reached a feverish pitch. And that was before the team mauled Knox College (Ill.) 12-0 in their first game. "(Knox) was us four years ago," Raithel said. "It's all about attitude. Our last game last year we beat St. Mary's. Our goal this year is to improve in the MIAC. You don't really shoot for a certain record, on the back of our T-shirts it says 'love the journey not the destination." The destination of the ball has often been the opposing net after touching the foot of Lum or Todd. Lum was picked first-team All-Conference last year and her speed is "unmatchable" in the MIAC Raithel said. Todd switched from defense to striker this year and scored four goals in the Knox game to celebrate her transition. "That is like scoring four touchdowns in a football game," Raithel said. Bedell and Thill have also stepped up in their final seasons. Their leadership has been outstanding and more than ever before they believe that they can be successful Raithel said. The team also returned to practice in excellent shape. They came in ready to play games, in what Raithel said was "match fitness." Thus far they have shown the same hard determination and competitive spirit that lifted them when they were down last year. "This year's team can go as far as they want," Raithel said. "I don't want a number put up there, but by the end of this year I know I'll be as proud of them as I can be. By the end of the first game, I felt like crying."

Macalester College
Head Coach:	John Leaney (13th season at Macalester / 162-42-10)
2000 Record:	16-2-1 (9-0-1 MIAC / 1st)
Key Returners:	Lisa Bauer, So., GK, All-MIAC, all-region, 13 shutouts, 0.35 GAA Katie Stephens, Jr., F, 12 goals, All-MIAC Anna Gierke, So., F, 5 goals, 7 assists Margot Kane, Sr., MF, 6 goals
Season Preview:	Macalester is going for its fifth straight MIAC championship after taking the title in 2000 with a 9-0-1 mark and enters this season with a 42-game league unbeaten streak. Despite the loss of three seniors to graduation, including All-America forward Amanda Cue, the Scots look to be a major contender for the league crown in '01. The Scots gave up just seven goals last season and should be stingy on the defensive end of the field again with the return of all-conference and all-region goalkeeper Lisa Bauer (So., Woodbury, MN). Bauer was among the national leaders in goals against average at 0.35 and posted 13 shutouts in 19 games. Erla Petursdottir (Jr., Reykjavik, Iceland) anchors a young group of defenders. Up front, Macalester will look for goal-scoring production from All-MIAC forward Katie Stephens (Jr., Urbana, IL), who led the team with 12 goals a year ago. Anna Gierke (So., Milwaukee, WI / Nicollet) and Margot Kane (Sr., Auburndale, MA / Newton) are also proven goal-scorers. Complete preview found at: www.macalester.edu/~athletic/top_stories/WSprev01.html

College of St. Benedict
Head Coach:	Billy Kelly (6th season)
2000 Record:	13-3-1 (8-2 MIAC / 2nd-tie)
Key Returners:	Amy Jo Boushek, Sr, Defender, All-MIAC Honorable Mention. Krista Beggin, Sr, Forward, fully recovered from knee injury suffered last season. Katie Blackman, Jr, Striker, 8th on CSB all-time scoring list after two years of play, MIAC Player of the Week. Taylor Hilker, So, All-MIAC Honorable Mention.
Season Preview:	CSB comes into the 2001 season with a squad deep in talent and strong in its commitment to playing hard. After finishing second in the MIAC two years in a row, the Blazers are ready for a conference championship. Their combination of talented returners, three of which earned conference honors last season, their excellent coaching staff and talented young players ensure the Blazers that they will again be among the best in the MIAC. A more complete preview can be found at: www.csbsju.edu/csbsports/soccer/sbsoc.html

College of St. Catherine
Head Coach:	Chris Galbraith (4th season)
2000 Record:	17-2-1 (2001 - First year in MIAC for women's soccer)
Key Returners:	Kate Blank, SR, Mid/Fwd - Solid player that helps give the team a positive direction. Ericka Scheller, SO, Mid/Fwd - Played in all games of the 2000 season. Catherine Keen, JR, Mid/Def - Started every game since freshman season. Can help in any area of the field. Mindy Daughtery, JR, Fwd/Mid - Played in every game since freshman year. Roams the field and cleans up on goal. Delinda Tamangi, JR Fwd/Mid - Go to player in overtime scoring all of the overtime goals for CSC in last two years.
Season Preview:	The Wildcats will enter the MIAC this season after posting a 17-2-1 record as an independent NCAA team. The team scored 77 goals and only gave up 16. The Cats just missed an independent bid to the NCAA championship. Despite the near miss the Wildcats are focuses to claw their way to the top of the MIAC. Coach Galbraith says, "we look forward to playing in the MIAC with some of the top teams in the country." The loss of three key players from the 2000 season will weigh heavy on the mind, but Coach Galbraith feels that anything is possible and believes that the team is willing to step up to the new challenge offered by membership in the MIAC.

Saint Mary's University
Head Coach:	Dan Blank (20th season / 231-95-23)
2000 Record:	7-9-2 (3-5-2 MIAC / 6th)
Key Returners:	Colleen O'Hearn, Sr., GK (All-MIAC, All-Region, 18 GP, 1.58 GAA, 140 saves) Katie Curran, So., For. (17 GP, 5 goals, 1 assist, 11 points) Katie Lentz, Sr., Def./Mid. (18 GP, 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points) Bernadette Balla, Jr., Mid./For. (18 GP, 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points) Alicia Knutson, So., Mid./For. (18 GP, 2 goals, 2 points)
Season Preview:	You'll have to excuse Saint Mary's University women's soccer coach Dan Blank if, when asked what to expect from his Cardinals in 2001, he gets a little defensive. It's not that the veteran coach doesn't want to give away any early-season secrets - just the opposite. Blank and the Cardinals really are getting defensive. "Right now, our No. 1 focus is defense," explained Blank, who is entering his 20th season as the Cardinals' head coach. "Not only good individual defensive tactics, but also the whole team defensive concept." The reasoning behind Blank's defense-first approach is two-fold. One, he returns probably the best goalkeeper in the conference in co-captain Colleen O'Hearn (Champlin, Minn.), and, two, the loss of leading scorer Erin Elder to graduation leaves Blank without a proven go-to scorer. "No question, Colleen is one of our strong points coming into this year," praised Blank. "When you've got a keeper like that, perhaps one of the best in the entire league, on your side, it's certainly an added plus." Yet, Blank also knows that O'Hearn can't do it alone. "We've got a number of players returning, and a lot of our success is going to depend on their ability to step their games up a notch," said Blank, noting that co-captain Katie Lentz (Cottage Grove, Minn.) will be moved to sweeper to replace graduated senior Katie State - and help spearhead the Cardinals' defensive attitude - while Katie Curran (Apple Valley, Minn.) (5 goals, 11 points), Alicia Knutson (Cottage Grove, Minn.) (2 goals, 4 points) and Bernadette Balla (Barrington, Ill.) (1 goal, 4 points) will help light SMU's offensive fuse. "If we are going to be successful, it's going to have to be a total team effort." "Everyone has come into this season with a very positive attitude and they've been working hard. I think a lot of people remember how disappointing last season ended and they aren't about to let that happen again this year," said Blank, whose team was winless in its last four games a year ago - getting outscored 16-1 during that 0-3-1 stretch en route to a 7-9-2 overall record. "Now the key is to maintain that attitude. Our conference is so strong, top to bottom, we need to make sure we are mentally ready to put our best effort on the field every single day - we can't get too high and we can't get too low. Complete preview can be found at: www.smumn.edu/sports/w_soccer/2001/newsletter/wspreview.html

St. Olaf College
Head Coach:	Kurt Anderson (1st season as women's coach / 0-0)
2000 Record:	9-8-1 (3-7 MIAC / 7th)
Key Returners:	Hanni Wenker, Sr., Stopper, All-Conference, Captain Kerry Goldman, Jr., Defense, All-Conference, Captain Carolyn Detjen, Jr., Forward, HM All-Conference, Top Scorer Stacy Gauger, Sr., Mid-field Karen Hamre, Sr, Midfield, Captain
Season Preview:	This season marks Coach Anderson's initial one as head coach of the women's program. He has served as the head men's coach at St. Olaf for the past twelve years and looks forward to his dual role. In his first year as the head of the women's program, Coach Anderson is optimistically looking for the Oles to step it up and challenge for a top place in the MIAC. The leading scorers from last season return which help lead to the optimism that infuses the team. Carolyn Detjen, ('03, Juneau, Ak.), found the net 12 times last season while leading the Oles. Erin Albers, ('04, Orono, Minn.) notched 6 goals in her first season. Also adding punch will be Stacy Gauger, ('02, Bloomington, Minn.), Brie Messick, ('04, Hastings, Minn.) and Kristi Parks('04,Wayzata, Minn.). Tri-captain, Kerry Goldman, ('03, Plymouth, Minn.), will coordinate the midfield. Becca Loerch, ('03, Apple Valley, Minn.) is coming off a season ending injury a year ago and is ready to battle for a starting spot along with Katy Jensen, ('02, Tucson, Ariz.). Jill Gauger, ('03, Bloomington, Minn.) returns as an outside midfielder along with Erin Albers. Captain Karen Hamre, ('02, Roseville, Minn.) will be called on to coordinate the defense. Senior tri-captain Hanni Wenker, ('02, Mendota Heights, Minn.) will anchor one outside back position along with Pam Crall, ('03, Gurnee, Ill.). Anna Rehder, ('04, Andover, Ill.), will get a look at center back. Last years starting keeper Elizabeth Brandell, ('04, Apple Valley, Minn.) will lead the Oles in 2001.

University of St. Thomas
Head Coach:	Colleen Carey (3rd season / 21-10-5)
2000 Record:	11-3-4 (7-1-2 MIAC / 2nd-tie)
Key Returners:	Jenny Murray, SO (All-MIAC, 8g-6a in 2000) Tessie Thompson, JR (All-MIAC, 6g-2a in 2000) Natalie Walz, SR (15g, 6a on career) Jessica Christopherson, SO, GK (6 MIAC shutouts, 0.91 GAA in 2000)
Season Preview:	The Toms return 16 players from an 11-3-4 team that was ranked in the top 25 late in the season. The Toms tied Macalester 0-0 and edged Gustavus 3-2 on the road with a goal in the final 90 seconds. But a 1-0 loss to St. Ben's denied them an unbeaten conference record. Three-time All-MIAC defender Molly Grahn graduated.

2000 - Standings, Results, Awards, Players of the Week, Season Preview