2002 MIAC WOMEN'S SOCCER PREVIEW
The 2002 MIAC women's soccer
season gets underway with non-conference games beginning August
30. MIAC conference play begins September 17. Last year the University
of St. Thomas and Macalester College tied for the MIAC Championship
with 10-1 conference marks. St. Thomas received the MIAC automatic
bid to the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the second round.
St. Thomas is currently ranked 17th and Macalester 24th in the
nation in the NSCAA Division III preseason poll. Expect to find
both squads in a battle this season for the top spot in the MIAC.
Watch for Carleton, Gustavus, and Saint Benedict to be very competitive
in 2002 as these teams finished very strong in 2001 and bring
back several key players.
This season the MIAC regular season champion will receive the
MIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Next season (2003)
MIAC men's and women's soccer will hold a conference playoff
with the top four teams from regular season play competing. The
winner will receive the MIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Women's soccer statistics will be will be
much improved starting this season as the conference and all
of its member institutions have switched to StatCrew. It will
offer expanded and more detailed statistics from past seasons.
Updated statistics will be posted on the MIAC website.
| AUG | BC | CAR
| CON | GAC | HAM |
MAC | CSB | CSC
| SMU | STO | UST
|
| Augsburg College |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Mike Navarre (4th season / 16-34-2 overall) | |
| 2001 Record: | 7-9-1 (4-6-1 MIAC / 7th) | |
| Key Returners: |
Heidi Hilleren (Jr., MF, Duluth, Minn./Duluth
East HS), All-MIAC HM in 2000 and 2001, team's leading scorer
last two years, 2G-8A--12P in 2001 (8G-13A--29P in career). Kristin Lideen (Jr., D, Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS), All-MIAC HM in 2000 and 2001, sweeper and anchor of defense, 1G-2A--4P in 2001. Laura Hoffman (Jr., GK, Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy HS), All-MIAC HM in 2001, 1.31 GAA, 126 saves and 4 shutouts in 2001; 1.18 career GAA is best in school history; 13 career wins and 7 career shutouts are both 3rd in school history. Kim Glumich (Sr., D, Moorhead, Minn.), second on team in scoring in 2001 (5G-1A--11P), team's leader in goals. Jazz Burch (Jr., F, Minnetonka, Minn./St. Louis Park HS), fourth on team in scoring in 2001 (3G-3A--9P). Kristi Ofstad (Jr., MF, Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Stevens HS), fifth on team in scoring in 2001 (3G-2A--8P). Carrie Velenchenko (So., MF, Maple Grove, Minn.), seventh on team in scoring in 2001 (2G-1A--6P). Laura Grant (Sr., D, Starbuck, Minn./Minnewaska Area HS), 3-year starter on defense, has started every game of collegiate career (52 games). |
|
| Season Preview: |
Eight starters and 11 letterwinners are back for the Auggies from a team that went 7-9-1 and had its best Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record -- 4-6-1 -- in the last five seasons. Six of the top eight scorers from last year return. There's an old saying that "offense wins games, but defense wins championships." If that's the case, then Augsburg could make a case for significant improvement this year. Augsburg's defense was among the most solid in the MIAC last year, claiming seven shutouts and only giving up four or more goals in three games. Augsburg played traditional MIAC powerhouse Macalester to one of its closest games of the year, a 1-0 decision in September, and upset league contender Carleton 1-0 on the road in October. The key to Augsburg's defense starts in goal with Laura Hoffman (Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy HS), one of the top goalkeepers in the league. After a leg injury cut her freshman year short in 2000, she responded with a solid campaign in 2001, with a 1.31 goals-against average and four shutouts. She started all 17 games and played all but 122 of the team's 1,565 minutes in goal. Kristen Opalinski (Sr., Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe HS) and Sarah Sletten (Jr., Churchs Ferry, N.D./Devils Lake HS) return in backup roles in goal. Kristen Lideen (Jr., Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS) has earned All-MIAC honorable mention honor each of her first two seasons as Augsburg's sweeper on defense, and could make a greater impact this season. The Auggie defense has given up just 22 goals each of the last two seasons, the lowest number of goals allowed for an Augsburg team since 1997 (19). In the center, midfielder Heidi Hilleren (Jr., Duluth, Minn./East HS) continues to impress. Augsburg's leading scorer both of her first two seasons, with 12 points (two goals, eight assists) last year, Hilleren earned All-MIAC honorable mention honors for the second year in a row. Up front, Jazz Burch (Jr., Minnetonka, Minn./St. Louis Park HS) returns to improve on her nine-point (three goals, three assists) performance last year, leading the Auggie forwards. Burch will be joined by a promising corps of forward recruits, headlined by two all-conference prep selections, Millie Suk (Fr., Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS) and Tia Chronis (Fr., Braham, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS). Melynda Kleewein (So., Anchorage, Alaska/Dimond HS) comes to the soccer program from the women's hockey team, and Eilida Reyelts (Fr., Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall HS) also joins the team. Complete preview available online at: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/soccer/0203wpreview.html |
|
| Bethel College |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Scott Krohn (3nd season/ 11-23-1 overall) | |
| 2001 Record: | 7-9-1 (3-7-1 MIAC / 8th) | |
| Key Returners: | Lindsey Heiligenthal (SR, Ames, Iowa) Midfielder, Two-time All-MIAC | |
| Season Preview: |
As head coach Scott Krohn begins his third year leading Bethel's program, he is optimistic about a jump in the MIAC standings. After finishing last season with a 3-7-1 conference record, which included three one goal defeats, his players gained experience that he hopes will translate into more victories. "We are building on the growth of last season and we expect continued growth in the MIAC standings. Improving our game focus and team commitment is a high priority for us this season" he said. Leading the Royals will be two-time All-MIAC midfielder Lindsey Heiligenthal, from Ames, Iowa. She has been a constant for the Royals through her three-year career. Bethel welcomes a large group of newcomers that will allow them to play a junior varsity schedule for the first time. Full preview available online at: http://www.bethel.edu/Athletics/W_Soccer/2001/preview.html |
|
| Carleton College |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Karen Parker (1st season) | |
| 2001 Record: | 12-4-0 (9-2-0 MIAC / 3rd) | |
| Key Returners: |
Cara Jones, Sr., GK, All-MIAC honorable mention,
8 shutouts in 2001 Stella Schulte, Jr., MF, 2 goals, 1 assist Stephanie Johnson, Jr., F Stephanie Lee, Jr., MF, 1 goal Maggie Fernandez, Sr., MF, 1 goal, 2 assists Caitlin Coomes, So., MF, 2 goals, 4 assists in first season |
|
| Season Preview: |
The Knights are fresh off of a 12-4-0 record in 2001, which marked the second highest win total in school history. The team's .818 conference winning percentage was a new school record and earned Carleton third place in the MIAC. The Knights must replace two of their top three scorers in Birungi Mutebi and Morgan Russell-Dempsey, and find a replacement for Margie Sollinger and her midfield presence. With eight starters returning, however, the team will rely on an experienced group in 2002. Junior Amy Holmes is the top returning scorer, as she tallied five goals and five assists last year. Sophomore Caitlin Coomes figures to lend scoring support after tallying a pair of goals and five assists last year. Cara Jones, who was stellar in goal the past two seasons, will move to her more natural position on defense or forward, as first-year keepers Sarah Granofsky and Emma Fisher will vie for the starting spot. Senior Maggie Fernandez and junior Stephanie Lee will patrol the midfield and serve as team captains with Jones. Karen Parker enters her first season with the Knights as head coach. With coaching involvement since her graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986, her experience will provide added support as the Knights look forward to another successful season. |
|
| Concordia College |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Dan Weiler (1st season) | |
| 2000 Record: | 6-9-0 (3-8 MIAC / 9th-tie) | |
| Key Returners: |
Kathy Braun (Sr, GK) 157 saves in 17 games in
2001, has played over 2,800 minutes in goal the past two seasons. Haley Groce (Jr, M) Has 28 career points in two years; two-year starter . Kendra Lee (Sr, F) 2001 MIAC All-Conf.; led team in scoring in '01 with 9 g and 5 assts; 108 career pts, 30 shy of the school record. Kristen Orme (Sr, D) '99 MIAC All-Conf. HM; missed most of last year with knee surgery; captain; team leader on defense. |
|
| Season Preview: |
The Concordia women's soccer team will feature
some old faces and a significant new look. The new look will
come from head coach Dan Weiler who takes over for Jim Cella.
It will be Weiler's first year as a college coach. The old faces
will be seen in the 10 starters that Weiler has back from a year
ago. The stability on the field should help the Cobbers move
up from their ninth place finish in the MIAC last season. The
Cobbers will also welcome back the familiar face of defender
Kristen Orme who sat out all but four games last year due to
knee surgery ... Offensively the Cobbers will be led by Kendra
Lee who was named to the MIAC All-Conference team last year.
She currently has 108 career points and is 30 shy of breaking
the school record. Lee has led the Cobbers in scoring in her
first three years in the maroon and gold ... The team also returns
two of their other top four scorers from 2001. Senior Meghan
Hansen was third in scoring with 10 points (2 goals/6 assists)
and junior Haley Groce was fourth with nine points (3 goals/3
assists) .... The key to Concordia's success will be stopping
opponents from barraging goalkeeper Kath Braun. Braun averaged
over nine saves last year ... As a team, the Cobbers gave up
35 goals in 11 conference games - second most in the league ...
The team's overall defense should be bolstered by the return
of Orme who tore her ACL in the fourth game of the season against
Morningside College ... The Cobbers will have two starters from
California in their lineup. Senior Cheri Green (Ventura) and
sophomore Carmelle Johnson (Northridge) will return home when
Concordia plays games against California Lutheran and Chapman
University in the Golden State on October 20th and 21st ... Following
that western trip the Cobbers will host the top three teams in
the MIAC from 2001. They will play Carleton on Oct. 26th and
then follow that up with games against MIAC co-champions Macalester
and St. Thomas on Oct. 30th and Nov. 2nd. Follow the 2002 Cobber Women's Soccer team at: www.cord.edu/dept/sports/ws02. html |
|
| Gustavus Adolphus College |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Mike Stehlik (13th season/152-48-13) | |
| 2001 Record: | 11-6-0 (8-3-0 MIAC/4th) | |
| Key Returners: |
Renee Beaudry (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.), Midfielder,
2-time MIAC Player of the Year Cynthia Lee (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.), Midfielder, 4-year starter Lindsay Parker (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.), Midfielder, 3-year starter Katie Ottum (Jr., Bloomington, Minn.), Central defender, 2-year starter Kelly Keith (So., Minneapolis, Minn.), Central defender, returning starter |
|
| Season Preview: |
Coach Mike Stehlik will look to two-time MIAC
Player of the Year Renee Beaudry, veteran midfielder Cynthia
Lee and four returning starters in the defensive end to help
the Gusties contend for the MIAC title in 2002. Three one goal
losses a year ago forced Gustavus to settle for fourth place
in the MIAC which was the program's lowest finish in nine years.
Stehlik will need to replace All-Conference performers Michelle
Kurtz (forward) and Tiffany Alstead (midfielder) along with talented
goalkeeper Linnea Carlson, but he feels that with eight starters
returning and a talented freshman class the Gusties will be a
very competitive squad once again. In back, Gustavus returns four regulars including outside defenders Sarah Handahl and Ashlie Thomas along with central defenders Kelly Keith and Katie Ottum. Stehlik is counting on this group to control play in the Gustie defensive end as the goalkeeping position is a big question mark due to the graduation of Linnea Carlson. First year players Tiffany Clark and Gwen Peterson will battle for the open spot in the nets. In the middle, Gustavus will rely on two-time league MVP Renee Beaudry and four-year starter Cynthia Lee. Stehlik is confident that Beaudry can score goals and create opportunities for others while Lee will play the center midfield spot and run the show for the Gusties. On the outside, the team returns two quality veterans in Lindsay Parker and Heather Pecosky. Up front, Stehlik will rely on the trio of junior Birabwa Mutebi, and freshmen Britanee Pelikan and Samantha Engh. Mutebi scored two goals and added two assists in a reserve role last year, while Pelikan, from Cretin-Derham Hall and Engh, from Wayzata, are two highly touted newcomers who bring much needed goal scoring abilities to the Gusties. Gustavus will open the season with non-conference contests against Grinnell, Wartburg, UW-Stevens Point and UW-La Crosse before opening MIAC play against Carleton in Northfield on September 17. |
|
| Hamline University |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Sheryl Raithel (4th season, 14-32-2 overall) | |
| 2001 Record: | 5-13-0 (3-8 MIAC / 9th-tie) | |
| Key Returners: |
Jen Granmoe (sweeper) Emily Ament (defender) Laura Beam (midfielder) Sandy Surgess (midfielder) Maria Bujold (midfielder) Melinda Peulen (striker) |
|
| Season Preview: |
The Fighting Piper women's soccer team will look
to increase competitiveness and improve their standing in the
tough MIAC conference this season. With a mix of veteran experience
and eager first-year recruits, Coach Sheryl Raithel and her squad
have been diligent in their off-season preparation and are excited
for what can be accomplished in the 2002 campaign. "We will win if we are not afraid to lose this season," said Raithel. "It is the ultimate goal of this team to be able to reach their highest potential as an individual and as a team on and off the field... and we aim to do just that!" Look for captains Emily Ament and Melinda Peulen to lead the Piper effort as they look to improve their performance in the MIAC this season. |
|
| Macalester College |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | John Leaney (14th year / 191-46-11 overall) | |
| 2001 Record: | 14-3 (10-1 MIAC / tie - 1st) | |
| Key Returners: |
Lisa Bauer (Jr., Woodbury, MN) GK, All-America
Third Team, All-MIAC, 0.47 career GAA, 23 career shutouts Katie Stephens (Sr., Urbana, IL) F, All-MIAC, 8 goals, 6 assists; 23 career goals Jessica Bullen (So., Ashland, OR) MF, 3 goals, 4 assists Anna Gierke (Sr., Milwaukee, WI) F, 10 goals, 3 assists Kennedy Sharp (Jr., Minneapolis, MN) D Erin Hoople (So., Rockford, IL) MF, 2 goals, 2 assists |
|
| Season Preview: |
Macalester put together a stellar season in 2001
and all signs point towards another big year as the team goes
for a sixth straight MIAC championship. The Scots went 14-3 last
year and in the process extended their home field unbeaten streak
to 47 games. Macalester has had great success over the past five
years under Coach John Leaney, going 49-1-1 in MIAC competition,
and optimism runs high again as nine starters return from what
was a very young team last year. All-America goalkeeper Lisa Bauer returns to lead the way. She's posted shutouts in 23 of 36 career starts and allowed just three goals in league games a year ago. Bauer has played every minute in goal for the Scots over the past two years while compiling a very impressive 0.47 GAA. Producing goals hopefully shouldn't be too much of a problem as Mac returns Katie Stephens and Anna Gierke up front. Stephens, a two-time All-MIAC pick, enters her senior year with 23 career goals and 16 assists. Gierke led the team last season with 10 goals. Three sophomores played big roles last year as newcomers and will be called on to do even more in '02: Jessica Bullen, Erin Hoople and Alice Hacker. Leaney is also very excited about University of Minnesota transfer Juli Montgomery. Complete season preview can be found at: www.macalester.edu/~wsoccer/news/preview02.html |
|
| College of St. Benedict |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Billy Kelly (7th season / 77-24-8 Overall / 44-15-2 MIAC) | |
| 2001 Record: | 12-5-0 (7-4 MIAC / 5th) | |
| Key Returners: |
Emily Kelsey (Sr., Savage, MN), For/Mid...1 goal/2
assists...up-tempo player. Taylor Hilker (Jr., White Bear Lake, MN), Mid....1 goal/3 assists...All-MIAC in 2001...touch and vision are superb. Tae Ruppe (Sr., Forest Lake, MN), GK....63 shots against/9 goals allowed/54 saves...teams leading goalkeeper. Megan McVoy (So., Omaha, NE), For....8 goals/4 assists...All-MIAC honorable mention in 2001...top notch striker. Mel Attema (Jr., Greenwood, MN), For....5 goals/5 assist...has great playmaking skills. Jessica DeLoy (So., Lakewood, CO), Mid....6 goals/4 assists...great at combination plays . |
|
| Season Preview: |
The 2002 Blazers are looking forward to the challenge of winning their first MIAC title since 1991—and they are well positioned to do it. Last year’s newcomers made immediate and significant contributions in 2001, but three early conference losses took the Blazers out of title contention. However, the good news is that now those young players have a year of valuable MIAC playing experience. That, along with an influx of several talented incoming recruits, could make all the difference in the 2002 campaign. The hope is the Blazers will pick up where they left off last fall— CSB concluded their season with a 7-0 winning streak where they outscored opponents 31-1. A combination of veterans, experienced youth,
and stunning new talent makes this year’s Blazers a team
to watch. |
|
| College of St. Catherine |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Chris Galbraith (5th season / 42-20-6) | |
| 2001 Record: | 6-11-1 (0-10-1 MIAC / 12th) | |
| Key Returners: |
Mindy Daugherty (Sr., White Bear Lake, MN) 2001
All Conference Selection Jill Ament (Jr., Jamestown, ND ) Catherine Keen (Sr., St. Paul, MN ) Delinda Tamagni (Sr., San Diego, CA) |
|
| Season Preview: | The Wildcats are looking to improve upon last year's 12th place finish. The team is led by Head Coach Chris Galbraith and has compiled an impressive 42-20-6 record over the last four years. The team is entering into its second year of MIAC play feeling confident that the experience they have gained will help them move up in the conference standings. | |
| Saint Mary's University |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Dan Blank (21st season, 234-103-25) | |
| 2001 Record: | 4-11-2 overall / 2-8-1 MIAC (11th) | |
| Key Returners: |
Kelli Mooney (Forward, So., Maple Grove, Minn.
/ 5 goals, 1 assist, 11 points) Katie Curran (Forward, Jr., Apple Valley, Minn. / 3 goals, 2 assists, 8 points) Bernadette Balla (Forward, Sr., Barrington, Ill. / 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points) |
|
| Season Preview: |
Dan Blank will be the first to admit that he would like nothing better than to tuck last season deep into the depths of his subconscious - or better yet, erase it from his memory bank all together. Four wins in 16 games will do that to a person. The return of four of their top scorers - who accounted for all 14 goals scored by SMU last season - however, has Blank hoping for a much more memorable outcome in 2002. Yet, despite the return of all that firepower, not to mention virtually their entire starting lineup, there is still one nagging question that needs to be answered … just who will be keeping SMU's opponents from scoring goals? The Cardinals graduated three seniors from
last year's squad, but none left a more gaping hole that goalkeeper
Colleen O'Hearn. A two-time All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference selection, O'Hearn started 66 of the 70 games SMU
played during her stellar four-year career - including all 18
games in 1999 and 2000, and all 17 games last year - and posted
a 1.53 goals-against-average with 595 saves. |
|
| St. Olaf College |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Kurt Anderson (2nd season as women's coach / 9-9) | |
| 2000 Record: | 9-9-0 (5-6 MIAC / 6th) | |
| Key Returners: |
Brie Messick, Jr., Hastings Kristi Parks, Jr. Wayzata Jill Gauger, Sr. Bloomington Sarah Cornell, So. Minnetonka Kerry Goldman Sr. Plymouth Maiken Overton, So. Minneapolis Pam Crall Sr., Gurnee, IL Jillian Helseth, Sr. Hartford, SD |
|
| Season Preview: |
Last season the Oles finished in the upper
half on the tough MIAC and are looking to climb a few more rungs
of the conference ladder this fall. The midfield has a seasoned group returning. Jill Gauger, sr. Bloomington (Jefferson) and Sarah Cornell, so. Minnetonka started in every match last fall. Erin Albers saw considerable time at the outside mid spot. Also returning is Becca Loerch, jr. Apple Valley, who missed much of the '01 season with a stress fracture. First year players, Chelsea Gordon, Minnetonka, and Meghan Ryerse, Edina will be challenging for minutes. In the back All-MIAC player, captain Kerry Goldman sr. Plymouth, (Armstrong) will be counted on. She played out of position n the midfield last season and will be returning to her usual place. Joining her will be Maiken Overton, so. Minneapolis (Holy Angels) and Pam Crall sr., Gurnee, IL. (Lake Forest Academy). Both Crall and Overton were starters last fall. Also contributing defensively will be Anna Rehder, jr., Andover, IL., (Orion), Samantha Jensen, so., Minneapolis, (Southwest), and Brandy Fouts, so. Fairbanks, AK., (West Valley). Last season reserve keeper, Jillian Helseth, sr. Hartford, SD., (West Central) and Kara Olson, fy., Oconomowoc, WI. Will be vying for the starting job. Helseth played well in the 7 matches she was called upon last fall and Olson is coming off an outstanding senior year at her high school. The preseason will be a key factor in determining how many rungs on the ladder the Oles will be able to climb this fall. |
|
| University of St. Thomas |
 |
|
| Head Coach: | Colleen Carey (4th season / 37-13-6 overall) | |
| 2001 Record: | 16-3-1 overall (10-1 MIAC /tie-1st place) | |
| Key Returners: |
Tessie Thompson, SR, MF, W. St. Paul (2nd Team
All-American; 2X All-MIAC Career: 21 g.-9 assts/51 pts); Catie Gibson, SR, F, Stillwater (Career: 14 goals-10 assists/38 points) Beth Kapp, SR, Def., Kansas City, Mo. (Career: 3 goals-6 assists/12 points) Jessica Christopherson, JR, GK, Coon Rapids (2X All-MIAC, 21 career shutouts) |
|
| Season Preview: |
St. Thomas is ranked 17th nationally in Division
III in the preseason poll by the National Soccer Coaches Association
of America (NSCAA). Coach Colleen Carey returns several top players
from the 16-3-1 team of 2001 that shared the MIAC championship
-- the Tommies' first since 1987. St. Thomas reached the NCAA playoffs and won its first-round game against Loras in overtime. They lost in the round of 16 to Final Four qualifier Wheaton. The Tommies play another challenging schedule, including road games against three top-25 teams -- No. 1-ranked Ohio Wesleyan (Sept. 7); No. 24 Macalester (Sept. 17); and No. 8 in UW-Stevens Point (Oct. 22). They start the 2002 season with an Aug. 30 home game vs. UW-Eau Claire, then begin MIAC play Sept. 4 at Augsburg. Among the teams expected to battle the Tommies for the MIAC title are Macalester, Gustavus, Carleton and St. Ben's. UST and Macalester tied for the 2001 championship at 10-1, but the Tommies received the NCAA berth based on their win over the Scots. The Tommies are 37-13-6 in Carey's three seasons, including a 27-5-5 record in conference play. |
|
2001 MIAC Women's Soccer Links- Standings, Results, Awards, Final Stats, Players of the Week, Season Preview