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MSOE Raider News

Mens and Women's Soccer shares first place spotlight

Published: 10/20/2009 Bookmark and Share
Mens and Women's Soccer shares first place spotlight
As the Northern Athletics Conference men's and women's soccer playoffs approach, the MSOE men's and women's soccer teams are leaving their mark as teams to contend for the title. Both the men's and women's soccer teams share the first place spotlight for the first time in Raider soccer history. This is the first time in history that the women's soccer program has elevated their team to reach that plateau. Not to be undone, the men's program has regained a foothold among Northern Athletic Conference squads and owns first place alongside national power Dominican.

The MSOE Raiders women's soccer program under the direction of Head Coach Rolf Zersen is 7-2-1 in conference play and has a 9-5-2 overall record. His last three recruiting classes combine to make the Raiders a strong program with success coming from the all-junior, sophomore and freshman squad. Leading the way scoring goals for the Raiders is Jessica Axt. Axt, a 5-6 sophomore forward, not only became the MSOE all-time career goals leader just a week ago, but set the record for single-season goals last year. Axt is second in the conference in goals per game (1.0) and total goals (10). She is not the only Raider to lead the way as Heidi Brehmer, Mindy Donald, Jamie Janczak and Emma Lumpe rank among the NAC elite. Brehmer, a 5-2 junior forward, ranks sixth in total points (18) and goals (7) and is tied for eighth in assists with teammate Donald. Janczak is tied for fifth in the conference with five assists in NAC contests. Lumpe, a freshman goalkeeper, is third in the NAC with a .833 save percentage and fourth with a .93 goals against average.

The men's soccer program, under the direction of Head Coach Jimmy Banks, is 8-0 in conference play and has an 11-4-1 overall record. Michael Vanek is the top goal getter for MSOE as he is second in the conference in goals scored (7) and goals per game (.88) and is ranked second in points (16). Vanek has ample help getting him the ball as Brandon Crozier, Dan Kolokoski, Dan Hosko, and Josh Payne are tied for sixth in the NAC with three assists apiece. Crozier and Vanek are tied for third among NAC scorers in game winning goals with two apiece. Senior Goalie Alex Mejac is third in goals against average (.77) and fourth in save percentage (.833).

Both teams face a tough road ahead of them, with key match ups to follow this week. For the women, they face Edgewood (6-1-1 NAC, 9-4-1) at home Tuesday, October 20, 2009 and their last regular season conference tilt against Dominican (7-1 NAC, 7-6) on Saturday, October 24 in River Forest, Ill. The men face Concordia-Wisconsin (7-1 NAC, 11-3-2) on Wednesday, October 21 at home and play Dominican (8-0 NAC, 10-1-3) Saturday at 1pm, right before the women's game.