2004 MIAC WOMEN'S SOCCER PREVIEW
The 2004 MIAC women's soccer season kicks off with non-conference games beginning September 1. MIAC conference play begins September 14. Last year the College of Saint Benedict won the regular season MIAC championship with a 9-0-2 record, but fell to Macalester in the MIAC playoffs. Macalester advanced to the NCAA tournament and was eliminated by the the UW-Stevens Point.
Saint Benedict looks to be one of several teams challenging for the conference regular season title. The Blazers are coming off an impressive 2003 season, going 15-2-3 overall and have high hopes of claiming a third straight MIAC title. St. Thomas returns twelve starters from a team that won their last five regular season games by a 19-0 margin to close the MIAC at 9-1-1. The Tommies face a difficult schedule though, with 12 of their first 16 games coming on the road. Macalester, who have won five of the last seven MIAC championships return a veteran group that is looking to build upon its playoff championship from a year ago. Macalaster is looking to earn its eighth NCAA Division III Championship appearance in the last ten years under Coach John Leaney.
Bethel and Saint Mary's welcome new head coaches into their programs this season. Bethel returns former Royals star Joel Johnson to the program. Johnson coached the Bethel women for one season in 1998 and has been an assistant women's hockey coach at the Univ. of Minnesota from 1998-2004. Saint Mary's hired Tony Guinn to take over the Cardinal program and replace long time coach Dan Blank. Guinn is currently among the top three winningest high school coaches in Wisconsin.
The top four teams in the conference will qualify for the MIAC playoffs and the winner will receive the MIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Semifinal play begins on November 3 with the championship scheduled for November 6.
| AUG | BU | CAR | CON | GAC | HU | MAC | CSB | CSC | SMU | STO | UST |
| Augsburg College |
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| Head Coach: | Mike Navarre (6th season / 38-44-6 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 11-5-2 (5-4-2 MIAC / 6th) | |
| Key Returners: | Millie Suk (F, Jr., Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS), All-MIAC first team in 2002 and 2003 (only sophomore named first-team All-MIAC in both 2002 and 2003), team-high 8 goals, with second-best 5 assists and second-best 21 points; 11th in MIAC in points (5G-3A--13P in league games); career totals of 20G-7A-47P; goal total 3rd-best in school history, point total 4th-best. Nora Austin (D, Jr., St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS), All-MIAC first team in 2003; moved from midfield to defense in 2003, 1G-0A--2P; 5th on team in scoring in 2002 (3G-1A--7P). Emily Anderson (F, Jr., Hudson, Wis.), All-MIAC honorable mention in 2003; led team in scoring in 2003 (8G-6A--22P); transfer from Wisconsin-Eau Claire (did not play soccer at UW-EC), Wisconsin All-Star soccer player in 2002, multiple all-conference selection, also honorable-mention all-state in girls' basketball in 2001-02. Eilidh Reyelts (F, Jr., Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall HS), 5th on team in scoring in 2002 (2G-0A--4P), 5G-1A--11P in career. Kristen Lideen (D, Sr., Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS), returns to team after missing 2003 season; All-MIAC HM in 2000, 2001 and 2002; sweeper and anchor of defense, 2G-3A--7P in 50 games in Augsburg career. |
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| Season Preview: | The Augsburg College women's soccer team is ready to take its next big step. The past two seasons, Augsburg produced identical 11-5-2 records, two of the three best winning seasons in its previous 19 years of women's soccer. But in 2003, injuries at key times forced Augsburg to a 5-4-2 record in the competitive Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and on the outside looking in at the inaugural MIAC four-team postseason playoffs. This season, with the nucleus of the success of the last two seasons returning, joined by the biggest recruiting class in head coach Mike Navarre's six seasons at Augsburg, and paired with an athlete-friendly playing surface newly installed at Edor Nelson Field, the Auggies have confidence in reaching, and even surpassing, the goals of the past two seasons. A conference playoff berth, and perhaps a shot at the school's first-ever conference title, may be within the Auggies' grasp. "The success of this team is going to be predicated on our ability to play for each other, to outwork our opponents and to empower the new players so they have a stake in the program," said Navarre, in his first season leading solely the Auggie women's program, after coaching both the men's and women's soccer programs the previous five years. Solid forwards, young midfield Augsburg returns seven starters from last year's lineup, led by a pair of forwards that could be considered among of the best attacking duos in the MIAC -- Millie Suk (Jr., Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS) and Emily Anderson (So., Hudson, Wis.). The pair combined for 16 of Augsburg's 30 goals last year (eight apiece), despite battling nagging injuries that kept both of them at less than 100 percent effectiveness at times. Lideen's return bolsters strong defense Augsburg's defense will be boosted by the contributions of sweeper Kristen Lideen (Sr., Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS), who returns to the lineup after a year's absence. Lideen earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors each of her first three seasons as the anchor of the Auggie defense. In her junior year of 2002, Augsburg's defense allowed a goals-against-average of 0.38, fifth-lowest in the NCAA Division III national statistics. Newcomer will start at goalkeeper The biggest question mark will come in the net, where the Auggies have to replace one of the top goalkeepers in school history, four-year starter Laura Hoffman. Hoffman played in 62 games during her career, with a school-record 35 wins, a school-record 0.90 goals-against-average and 23 shutouts, second-best in school history. New turf brings benefit to program Augsburg will also have a new surface to play on this season. After utilizing Astroturf artificial-turf surfaces since Edor Nelson Field was built in 1984, the college installed a new Sprinturf "next-generation" surface during the summer. The surface, with long grass-like fibers and a rubber-sand infill base, will be much more soccer-friendly, Navarre said. Complete Preview |
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| Bethel University |
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| Head Coach: | Joel Johnson (1st season/ 9-9-0 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 1-17-0 (1-10-0 MIAC / 11th) | |
| Key Returners: | Jennie Pulford, Senior, Goalkeeper Nikki Uhre, Senior, Midfielder Angie Seim, Junior, Forward Angela Mooney, Sophomore, Midfielder Lauren Johnson, Sophomore, Forward Stephanie Spacone, Senior, Defense Janna Krein, Sophomore, Midfielder |
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| Season Preview: | The upcoming season is somewhat of a new beginning for Bethel Women’s soccer. Many changes have occurred, including a new coach and a new name for the school, Bethel University. Joel Johnson will serve as the new head coach, coming over from the University of Minnesota where he served as an assistant hockey coach with the Gopher’s women’s hockey program, helping them win a national championship last season. The expectations for the program are changing, and the goal to become more competitive within the MIAC. The Royals have most of their players returning, with one key exception – Kate Nordbye, a captain and four year starter for Bethel will be missed. Some key returners looking to fill the void and bring experience and leadership will be Jennie Pulford, Nikki Uhre, and Angie Seim. Also looking to contribute will be sophomores Lauren Johnson and Angela Mooney, who both saw significant playing time last season and look to make a huge impact in 2004. |
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| Carleton College |
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| Head Coach: | Karen Parker (3rd season / 15-15-5 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 9-7-1 (6-4-1 MIAC / 5th) | |
| Key Returners: | Caitlin Coomes, Sr., Mid., Hudson, Wis. (Mounds Park Academy), 7 goals, 3 assists, 2nd on team with 17 points in 2003 Erica Bolan, So., Northfield, Minn., 4 goals as first-year player Becca Dole, So., Boulder, Colo., All-MIAC honorable mention in 2003, only returner to start and play in all 17 games in 2003 Kathleen Ward, Jr., Mid., Tarzana, Calif. (Harvard-Westlake), two-year starter Helga Middlefort-Vognar, So., Def., St. Paul, Minn. (Mounds Park Academy), Starter as first-year player Lauren Andrews, So., Def., Bella Vista, Calif. (Foothill), 13 appearances, 4 starts in 2003 Elizabeth Marsters, So., Mid., Denver (Kent Denver), 2 goals and 6 points in only 7 appearances Jackie Tomaszewski, So., Mid., Temucula, Calif. (Chaparrel) Caroline Conrad, Sr., Fwd. Duluth, Minn. (Marshall) |
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| Season Preview: | Despite the loss of a core of seven seniors and a pair of all-conference players, the Carleton College women’s soccer team enters the 2004 season hoping to ride a strong core of nine returning letterwinners and a large, talented group of newcomers back into the MIAC’s elite. The Knights, under third-year head coach Karen Parker, welcome 15 first-year players to the program, many coming off highly successful high school and club experiences. Carleton’s 2004 success will hinge on the returners’ health and how quickly the newcomers can transition to the college game. The returners are led by senior captains Caitlin Coomes (Hudson, Wis./Mounds Park Academy) and Caroline Conrad (Duluth, Minn./Marshall). Coomes amassed seven goals last season in a break-out season, finishing second on the squad with 17 points. Conrad appeared in 12 contests, notching two goals and five points. Sophomore Becca Dole (Boulder, Colo.) is back after earning All-MIAC honorable mention status. She’s the lone returning player to start and play in all 17 matches last year. She’ll be joined in the back by sophomore Lauren Andrews (Bella Vista, Calif./Foothill) and returning starter Helga Middlefort-Vognar (St. Paul, Minn./Mounds Park Academy). While Parker is unsure exactly what each newcomer will bring to the table, she knows they will have to contribute on some level. “As a group, they will bring us skill, athletic ability and high-level soccer experience,” she said. “All this is said, however, with caution. They’re first-year players and we are really counting on the returning players to help them find there way at Carleton.” Complete Carleton preview can be found through this link |
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| Concordia College |
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| Head Coach: | Dan Weiler (3rd season / 16-19-2 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 11-7-1 (7-3-1 MIAC / 4th) | |
| Key Returners: | Morgan Bain, So., F, 2003 MIAC All-Conference, team’s leading scorer in 2003 with 10 goals and 3 assists for 23 points, second in the MIAC in goals scored (8), game-winning goals (3) and shots taken (44). She also finished fifth in conference points (18). Suzy Grabko, So., M, 2003 MIAC All-Conference, led the team in assists with 13 and was tied for the team lead in overall scoring with 23 points, finished second in the MIAC in assists (9) and was 12th in the nation in assists per game (0.76 average). Carmelle Johnson, Sr., D, 2003 MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention, ’02 MIAC All-Conference, captain of the defense that set school records for most shutouts and lowest goals against average in a season. Betsy Olesen, So., D, 2003 MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention. |
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| Season Preview: | If you're head coach Dan Weiler and you've just fashioned a season which saw your team set school records in overall wins, conference wins, goals scored, least amount of goals given up and you were named MIAC Coach of the Year in only your second season, what would you do for an encore? Rest on your laurels? Nope. Listen to all the accolades pile up and bask in the glory? Not a chance. Maintain status quo for next year knowing that you have eight returning starters? Ain't gonna happen. Now to reality. Weiler took a record-setting season in 2003 and turned it into the best recruiting class in women's soccer history. The preseason roster shows the squad has nine returning players and 16 newcomers. Most of the new faces were hand-picked by Weiler and his staff to ensure that 2003 will only be a starting point for the future, and that the 2004 season has a chance to shatter all the records that were set last fall. The 2004 Concordia women's soccer team will be comprised of eight starters from last season, a solid reserve and 16 new players who will infuse much-needed depth as the team strives to push the program into the national spotlight. There are only two seniors listed on the roster, the other returning players are all sophomores, lending Weiler to believe that the best is yet to come for the maroon and gold. The scintillating sophomores who guided Concordia into the MIAC playoffs last season have all returned to reprise their roles. The group of six second-year stars received a little taste of what top-level women's soccer is all about and are ready to take a bigger bite in 2004. Complete Cobber preview can be found at: www.cord.edu/dept/sports/ws04preview.html |
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| Gustavus Adolphus College |
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| Head Coach: | Mike Stehlik (15th season / 170-60-18 ) | |
| 2003 Record: | 9-8-1 (5-5-1 MIAC / 7th-tie) | |
| Key Returners: | Samantha Engh, junior, forward, Wayzata, Minn. (All-Conference, 8g-1a-17 pts.) Kelly Keith, senior, fullback, Minneapolis, Minn. (All-Conf., All-Region) Amy Larson, sophomore, midfielder, Bloomington (5g-4a-14 pts.) |
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| Season Preview: | The Gustavus women’s soccer team returns six starters and 13 letterwinners from a squad that finished seventh in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and posted an overall record of 9-8-1. Coach Mike Stehlik worked with a very young squad last year as 10 first year players contributed regularly. Inexperience and inconsistent play led to an up and down season. However, Stehlik feels that last year’s weaknesses should be this year’s strength as all 10 players return with one solid year of experience under their belt. Defense appears to be the strength of the 2004 Gusties as three starting defenders return including All-Conference and All-Region honoree Kelly Keith (SR, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn), senior Alysen Farren (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) and Shannon Quealy (SO, Plymouth, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret’s). In the nets, junior transfer Tori Boughton (Edina, Minn.) will step into the starting role after playing her first two years at the University of Vermont. Sophomore Lindsay LaVoie (Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo), who started all but two games last year, is still struggling from a neck injury she suffered late last season and the date of her return is uncertain. In the midfield, sophomore Amy Larson (Bloomington, Minn./Holy Angels) is the lone returning starter. She was the team’s second leading scorer last year with five goals and four assists for 14 points. Others expected to contribute in the midfield include junior Jackie Lehman (St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo), and sophomores Beth Stauffer (Plymouth, Minn./Armstrong) and Megan Tepper (Woodbury, Minn./Hill-Murray). Up front, Gustavus will be led by junior all-conference forward Samantha Engh (Wayzata, Minn.). Engh led the team in scoring last season with eight goals and one assist for 17 points. She will be joined on the attack by sophomores Liz Petersen (Stillwater, Minn.), and Alison Rethwisch (Lakeville, Minn.). Coach Stehlik has been very pleased with the work ethic of his squad during the pre-season and feels that the group has shown great team chemistry. Stehlik stated, “We are looking for players who will play hard and work together and that is exactly what this team has been showing in our pre-season workouts.” He added, “If we continue to work together and stay healthy, we should be a very competitive squad.” |
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| Hamline University |
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| Head Coach: | Tony Englund (2nd season / 3-14-1 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 3-14-1 (0-10-1 MIAC / 12th) | |
| Key Returners: | KC Heaney, So., F, 5-7, Tigard, Ore. - Started 15 games last season. Tied for team lead in scoring with seven goals and one assist last season. Vanessa McClellan, Sr., M, 5-5, Anchorage, Alaska - Started 17 games last season. Tied for team lead in scoring with seven goals and one assist last season. Heather Sublet, So., M, 5-11, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Park Center) - Started 15 games as a first-year. Betsy Seal, So., GK, 5-7, Bloomington, Minn. (Kennedy) - Started five games as first-year. Posted 2.99 goals against average and .792 save percentage in 753 minutes. |
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| Season Preview: | It's a new beginning for the Hamline women's soccer team as the squad enters the 2004 campaign with 16 new faces to the roster to go along with a new attitude. "This is a fresh start," Englund said of the upcoming year. "It's exactly what the program needs. There is a general feeling of optimism, but it's going to take a lot of work. But it's work nobody is afraid of." After finishing last season 3-14-1, 0-10-1 in the MIAC, Englund has revamped the lineup around speed. That speed and athleticism starts at defense where the Pipers return a two-year starter in senior Laura Beam (Madison, Wis.). After injuries kept her out of parts of last two season, Englund believes Beam's experience and leadership will help a young defensive corps. Joining Beam at defense will be first-year Christine Feely, a three-year starter at Stillwater High School. In the midfield, the Pipers return starters Vanessa McClellan (Anchorage, Alaska) and Heather Sublet (Brooklyn Park, Minn.). McClellan, who was tied for the team lead with seven goals and one assist last season, will move to midfield from forward in order to better utilize her speed on the outside. Sublet returns to offer a defensive presence in the middle. Englund also expects contributions from first-year Anna McMahon (Stillwater, Minn.) and sophomore transfer Ann Donner (Stillwater, Minn.). Veteran Courtney Millis (Madison, Wis.) also returns to the mix. Scoring goals remains one of the Pipers' question marks heading into the season. With McClellan moving to the midfield, the Pipers have only one proven scoring threat in sophomore KC Heaney (Tigard, Ore.). Heaney finished her first year campaign with seven goals and one assist. Junior Suzanne DuBois (Boulder, Colo.), who scored a pair of goals in 2003, joins Heaney at forward. In net, the Pipers have a pair of consistent and athletic goalkeepers in sophomore Betsy Seal (Bloomington, Minn.) and sophomore transfer Rachel Lason (Brooklyn Park, Minn.). Seal played nearly 800 minutes in goal during her first year, posting a 2.99 goals against average and .792 save percentage. Larson comes to the Pipers after player at the University of Tampa last season. She has played on high-level club teams and was a member of the Minneapolis Kickers. Overall, Englund believes his team will be much improved over last season's squad, but remains realistic about the team's goals for the year. "Our focus is improving statistically, cutting the number of goals allowed in half, increasing goal output, decreasing the number of shots and corner kicks conceded," Englund said. "That's a major focus." "Even though our non-conference is tougher, I think we can improve our record there. As far as conference goes, we want to be around at the end of games because anything can happen. I think that is a reasonable set of objectives." |
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| Macalester College |
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| Head Coach: | John Leaney (16th season / 215-53-19 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 13-5-3 (7-2-2 MIAC / 3rd) | |
| Key Returners: | Annie Borton (So., F, Berkeley, Calif.) – All-MIAC, 10 goals & 7 assists Alice Hacker (Sr., D, Portland, Ore. / Caitlin Gabel) – All-MIAC, 7 goals & 8 assists Sarah Marsh (Sr., MF, Lincoln, Neb. / Northeast) – All-MIAC, 4 goals & 3 assists Katie Pastorius (Jr., MF, Arden Hills, Minn. / Mounds View) – 5 goals & 9 assists Jessica Bullen (Sr., MF, Ashland, Ore.) – 4 goals |
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| Season Preview: | Macalester won five straight MIAC titles before coming up short in each of the past two seasons and with a veteran group returning is eager to re-claim the crown in 2004. The Scots went 7-2-2 in MIAC play a year ago but won the league’s inaugural post-season playoffs to get into the NCAA Division III championships for the seventh time in nine years under head coach John Leaney, whose Scots have dropped just 16 MIAC games in his 15 years at Mac. The Scots have gone 215-53-19 and have taken six conference crowns under Coach Leaney. “We have a strong nucleus and will depend a great deal on this year’s senior class,” Coach Leaney said. “With good leadership I expect us to do well.” The Scots will be without the services of three-time All-America goalkeeper Lisa Bauer, who graduated after posting a 51-10-9 won-loss record with 42 shutouts and a 0.48 career goals against average. Although Mac graduated a strong senior class Leaney has great faith in his squad. The Scots figure to be a much more productive goal-scoring team in ’04. Annie Borton (So., Berkeley, Calif.) was one of the league’s top newcomers a year ago while leading the Scots with 10 goals scored. Alice Hacker (Sr., Portland, Ore. / Catlin Gabel) is coming off a seven-goal season while Katie Pastorius (Jr., Arden Hills, Minn. / Mounds View) had five goals and nine assists. Borton and Hacker are all-conference picks, as is midfielder Sarah Marsh (Sr., Lincoln, Neb. / Northeast). Marsh joins Jessica Bullen (Sr., Ashland, Ore.) and Meghan Leahey (Jr., Plymouth, Minn. / Wayzata) to give the team some reliable midfield play, while leading the charge in the back is veteran Erin Hoople (Sr., Rockford, Ill. / Auburn), an Academic All-District V performer. |
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| College of Saint Benedict |
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| Head Coach: | Kate Hand (2nd season / 15-2-3 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 15-2-3 (9-0-2 MIAC / 1st) | |
| Key Returners: | Megan McVoy (Sr., Forward, MIAC Player of the Year, 2nd Team All-Region, All-MIAC) Kate Aubrecht (Jr., Forward, All-MIAC Honorable Mention) |
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| Season Preview: | The Blazer soccer team enters the 2004 season with an opportunity to claim their third straight MIAC title. Also on the line this season is the Blazers ability to fend off MIAC opponents, as they hold an 18-0-4 MIAC record over the past two seasons. The last conference loss CSB suffered was October 9th, 2001. An unblemished mark no other CSB team has been able to accomplish. A core group of seniors will lead the attack for the Blazers this season. Among the six seniors returning is the 2003 MIAC Player of the Year Megan McVoy, who tied the Blazers record for goals in a season with 16 last year. Kirsten Horn will be up front with McVoy on the offensive attack. Erin Doyle’s and Meghann Green will also be in the midfield. The defense will be anchored by Co-Captain Anna Turbes and Shelly Rezac. The tandem will hold a key role in the communication of the Blazer defense. Rejoining the Blazers is Jessica DeLoy, who studied abroad last year in France and England, missing her junior year of play. Six Blazer juniors will play key roles this season. Kate Aubrecht, an All-MIAC selection in 2003, returns to her midfield position where she will use her superb vision of the field to help score goals for CSB. Defenders Patti Clintsman and Brittany Klang will anchor a tight defense who allowed a mere seven goals last season. Amanda Broadbent will be in the net for the Blazers. The first-year class for the Blazers will add good depth to an already talented squad. Adrianne Racck (Fargo, N.D.), Jeannie Stubenvoll (Duluth), Kelsey Nelsen (Duluth), Mallory Lundeen (Duluth), Katherine Flynn (Richfield), will complete CSB’s roster. |
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| College of St. Catherine |
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| Head Coach: | Jeremy Driver (2nd season / 7-9-1 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 7-9-1 (3-7-1 MIAC / 9th) | |
| Key Returners: | Katie Knodel, JR, Bismarck, ND. Goalkeeper Natalie Kielsa, JR, North St. Paul, MN. Midfielder |
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| Season Preview: | Despite finishing 9th in the conference last year, the Wildcats played four overtime games against teams ahead of them in the standings, including MIAC playoff participants St. Ben’s and Concordia. With six returning starters from last year's team, second year head coach Jeremy Driver looks to continue building on the Wildcats' movement up in the MIAC standings. In addition to a solid recruiting class, the Wildcats have 2003 MIAC Honorable Mention goalkeeper Katie Knodel (JR, Bismarck, ND) organizing the defense. As well as Knodel, the returning starters from last year's team include Natalie Kielsa (JR, North St. Paul, MN), Kristin Wros (SR, River Falls, WI), Bailey Craft (SO, Fridley, MN), Rachel McGuigan (SR, Apple Valley, MN), and Halie Vosler (SO, Spearfish, SD). “We are excited about adding our first recruiting class to the returning players. In addition to the tough MIAC games, we have added some quality non conference opponents to our schedule in hopes of continuing to challenge our team to improve every match,” stated Driver. The Wildcats open their 2004 schedule at home against Northland College, WI on September 2nd. The MIAC season begins against defending conference champion St. Benedict in St. Joseph on September 14th. |
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| Saint Mary's University |
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| Head Coach: | Tony Guinn (1st season / 0-0-0 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 3-14-1 (2-8-1 MIAC / 10th) | |
| Key Returners: | Kelly Mooney (Sr., For., Maple Grove, Minn.) / 18 GP, 3 goals, 2 assists, 8 points | |
| Season Preview: | Change is inevitable in college athletics, and for the past 22 seasons, a new women¹s soccer season would mean new faces blending with the old at Saint Mary's University. Yet amidst all the change during those first 22 years of the program¹s existence, one thing remained constant -- head coach Dan Blank. This year, there will be a new face roaming the Cardinals' sideline. And with that new face, comes a new attitude, a new philosophy, and, Tony Guinn hopes, a new era in Cardinal women's soccer. "I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of Saint Mary's and the women¹s soccer program," said Guinn, a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, who is among the top three winningest high school coaches in Wisconsin, having compiled a 273-86-19 record in 10 years as the head boys and girls soccer coach at St. Catherine High School in Racine, Wis. "Obviously, there is a great tradition in women's soccer at Saint Mary's. This program has had a great deal of success in the past, and Coach Blank deserves a great deal of credit, he did a wonderful job." "Hopefully, we can rebound from the struggles of the past two years and get this program back where it belongs ‹ among the elite in the MIAC." Guinn, a three-sport athlete during his collegiate days -- playing soccer, football and tennis at UW-Platteville -- takes over an SMU team that went 3-14-1 a year ago and finished 10th in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings. In fact, over the past two seasons, SMU has managed just four wins ‹ and scored just 15 goals in 36 games. That, Guinn promises, is going to change -- and fast. "We have a very talented freshman class," said Guinn. "Most of them have come from very successful programs and come into this year knowing what it takes to win -- they are the type who will say, If winning isn't important, why do you keep score?" In fact, despite just three wins in the past two seasons, 11 new players among the 23-player roster, and a coach who has never coached at the collegiate level, Guinn has only one concern heading into the team¹s season opener vs. the V-Hawks ‹ making the MIAC post-season tournament. "Our main focus is getting into that top four (in the conference), we want to be playing in the conference tournament," said Guinn. "Is that realistic? It's very realistic -- we're going to surprise a lot of people this season." Complete SMU women's soccer preview: http://sports.smumn.edu/w_soccer/2004/newsletter/wspreview.html |
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| St. Olaf College |
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| Head Coach: | Kurt Anderson (4th season as w. coach / 27-22-5 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 8-9-1 (5-5-1 MIAC / 7th-tie) | |
| Key Returners: | Kelsay Watt, F, So., Apple Valley, Minn. - All-MIAC... 11 goals, four assists as FY... 8 goals in MIAC play (t. for 2nd) Kaia Knutson, F, Jr., Fargo, N.D./South - All-MIAC honorable mention... 10 goals overall... three multi-goal efforts Sarah Cornell, M, Sr., Minnetonka, Minn. - All-MIAC honorable mention... four year starter Emily Klamm, M, Sr., Mt. Prospect, Ill./Hersey - Four year starter... scored 8 goals as F in 2002 Maiken Overton, D, Sr., Minneapolis, Minn./Holy Angels - Four year starter |
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| Season Preview: | In Kurt Anderson’s first three seasons as the St. Olaf women’s soccer coach, the Oles have inched towards the postseason. Last year, the team climbed to .500 in league play (5-5-1), just four points away from the fourth and final playoff spot. This year, an experienced unit returns with an exciting front line to bring a hopeful Anderson and his team to the MIAC playoffs for the first time in the tournament’s short history. Sophomore sensation Kelsay Watt (Apple Valley, Minn.) just one of three MIAC first years named All-Conference, returns to lead the Ole offense. Watt had an incredible breakout season, netting 11 goals overall and four assists (26 points). Her eight goals in conference play tied her for second best in the league. Her three assists helped place her fourth in MIAC play with 19 points. Joining Watt up front will be Kaia Knutson (Jr., Fargo, N.D./South), who had a stellar season as well. An All-MIAC honorable mention pick, Knutson scored ten goals last fall, five in MIAC play (t. 8th best in the MIAC), and had a hat trick (Oct. 5 vs. Simpson) and a pair of two-goal efforts (Aug. 29 vs. Luther, Oct. 18 @ St. Kate’s). The addition of Oral Roberts transfer Lindsay Ruisch (Jr., Johnston, Iowa) will add scoring punch too. Ruisch appeared in 17 games for the Division I Golden Eagles last season, scoring once. Katie Bierlein (So., Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview), one of the Oles best athletes could have a breakout year. Bierlein saw limited minutes last season, but could emerge as one of the Oles top threats. Meghan Ryerse (Jr., Edina, Minn.) and Ashley Mark (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) have experience and will contribute as well. All-MIAC honorable mention honoree Sarah Cornell (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) leads the midfield group with fellow senior captain Emily Klamm (Mt. Prospect, Ill./Hersey). Klamm scored eight goals in the fall of 2002 and the tandem has been in the starting line up for four years. Liz Tanner (Columbia, Mo./Hickman) will play mid too, after seeing extensive time as a first year. First years Kira Price (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Lindsey Kruger (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) will challenge veterans for minutes. The backfield will be anchored around another four-year starter, Maiken Overton (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn./Holy Angels). Overton will be accompanied by junior Erica Gruner (Appleton, Wis./East), sophomore Becca Nagel (Boulder, Colo.) and Karen Thiebes (FY, Medford, Ore./North). In goal, Emily Rolfsmeyer (So., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Anna Feigum (So., Moorhead, Minn.) will battle to earn a starting job in fall camp. St. Olaf opens Sept. 1 in Indianola, Iowa against Simpson. They then travel to Nebraska – Wesleyan before returning home for Lawrence University on Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. The Oles open MIAC play Sept. 16 against Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. |
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| University of St. Thomas |
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| Head Coach: | Colleen Carey (6th season / 62-22-11 overall) | |
| 2003 Record: | 11-5-3 (9-1-1 MIAC / 2nd) | |
| Key Returners: | Sarah Bird, JR, D (2002 standout, injured in 2003) Mary Dienhart, SR, MF (Career: 5g-9a) Jessia Magnuson, JR, F (12 career points) Elizabeth Sullivan, SR, D (Career 1g-9a) Christine Williams, JR, F (2003: led MIAC in scoring ; Career: 20g-6a) |
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| Season Preview: | The St. Thomas women's soccer team will try to secure its fifth consecutive top-two MIAC finish in 2004. Sixth-year head coach Colleen Carey returns 12 players from a 2003 team that finished 11-5-3 with a disappointing shutout loss to Macalester in the inaugural MIAC playoffs. The Tommies won their last five regular-season conference games by a 19-0 margin to close 9-1-1 in the MIAC. The Tommies must replace four-year starting goalie Jessica Christopherson (3X All-MIAC, school-record 39 career shutouts); 3X All-MIAC forward Jenny Murray (85 career points, MIAC assist leader in 2003 with 10); and three-year starting MF Maggie Curran (Career: 22 goals-5 assists). Murray finished fifth in UST career scoring, and her 35 assists set a UST career record. Leading the returners are seniors Elizabeth Sullivan, Mary Dienhart, Jacqie Kupfer and Anna Schlick, and junior forwards Christine Williams and Jessica Magnuson. Sullivan is a three-year starting defender and first-team Academic All-District (3.96 gpa) who has one goal and nine career assists. Dienhart was slowed by a midseason knee injury but the midfielder still has 19 career points (3 goals-5 assists in 2003). Schlick had three goals and four assists last season. Williams led the MIAC in scoring (28 points), goals (13) and game-winning goals (five) last season and has 46 career points (20 goals) in two seasons. Magnuson (12 career points) had two goals and five assists last season. Two sophomores who played well in their rookie seasons were forward Sarah Balgord (3 goals-1 assist) and defender Jade Crepps (2 goals-1 assist). Junior Sarah Bird, a starter on the Tommies' 2002 team that reached the NCAA quarterfinals, is back after missing 2003 with a knee injury. The Tommies face a difficult schedule with 12 of their first 16 games on the road, including October matches at St. Ben's, Macalester and Concordia-Moorhead in an eight-day stretch. The Toms open their season Sept. 4 at Cornell (Iowa). |
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2003 MIAC Women's Soccer Links - Standings, Results, Awards, Final Stats, Players of the Week, Season Preview
2002 MIAC Women's Soccer Links - Standings, Results, Awards, Final Stats, Players of the Week, Season Preview
2001 MIAC Women's Soccer Links - Standings, Results, Awards, Final Stats, Players of the Week, Season Preview