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Women’s Soccer Preview 2012
The MSOE women’s soccer team is coming off an historic campaign that culminated in a 9-3 Northern Athletics Conference record and a 13-8 overall record. With the graduation of eight seniors including Jessica Axt, the NAC all-time leader in points scored and goals, and Jamie Janczak the NAC all-time leader in assists, the 2011 Raider squad is ‘The Year of the Youth Movement’.
Coach Rolf Zersen is excited about the potential and approach of his young group. “Some would say this is a rebuilding with the loss of so many seniors. However, it’s not a loss in skill, but rather, a loss of experience. We have a tough schedule that will not only test the team’s abilities, but test the unity of the team. If this team can stick together and do the little things right, we have a good chance of doing well in the conference.”
Jr. Paula Bohl (Muskego, Wis. / Muskego H. S.) leads the Raider attack. The second leading scorer in the 2011 season, with eleven goals and seven assists, Paula is threat off the shot and the pass. Other attacking players include Fr. Caitlin Liddiard (Waukesha, Wis. / Waukesha South) and Fr. Danielle Van Lanen (Cottage Grove, Wis. / Monona Grove). Coach Zersen on Paula, “She has to be the goal scorer on the team. She has to put the ball away for our team for us to be successful. She has a tough job this year as she is our main returning goal scorer. Opponents know about her.”
In the midfield the Raiders boast a bevy of talent and intersquad competition. With eight players vying for time including: Fr. Anna O’Donnell (Plainfield, Ill. / Plainfield North), Jr. Co-Captain Alison Zimont (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Plainwell), Jr. Maureen Thompson (Grayslake, Ill. / Carmel Catholic), Fr. Natalie Gayner (Whitefish, Mont. / Whitefish), Sr. Victoria Falcon (North Bend, Wash. / Mount Si), So. Sarah Bower (Charleston, Ill. / Charleston), Fr. Ana Sofi Larraga-Martinez (Monroe, Wis. / Monroe), and Fr. Danielle Sopiarz (Marshfield, Wis. / Marshfield), the midfield is deep and diverse. Coach Zersen looks to Zimont and Thompson to pull the strings. “Alison has to be the player doing all the dirty work and solidifying the middle of the field. She will have to get Paula the ball and be a scoring threat as well. “Maureen is going to step into a greater role, not only being an upperclassman, but having to support the midfield in the attack”.
The Raiders are starting with a young defense including: So. Shelby Struble (Steamboat Springs, Colo. / Steamboat Springs), Fr. Tori St. Martin (Dellwood, Minn. / Mahtomedi), Sr. Kate Herrmann (Sycamore, Ill. / Sycamore), So. Mikala Wendt (Stoughton, Wis. / Stoughton), and Sr. Emma Brzenk (Greendale, Wis. / Greendale). Coach Zersen is optimistic about the team’s ability to perform in the 2012 campaign. “With hard work and communication this unit has great potential for this season and beyond. We will be leaning on the leadership of our Co-Captain Kate Hermann. She is a natural born leader the example of her hard work and determination will definitely help push everyone to be the best team we can be.”
The goalkeeper position will be tended by Sr. Emma Lumpe Lawrence, Kan. / Lawrence), So. Emily Jakubiak (Mequon, Wis. / Homestead) and Fr. Margot Giesey (Batesville, Ind. / Batesville). The 2012 schedule hosts some high powered attacks, making holding clean score sheets no easy task for the MSOE net-minders. Coach Zersen on the keepers, “The first job for our keepers, that is paramount, is to organize our young defense. This will be an emphasis from day one. Emma Lumpe has all the qualities to one of the best goalies in the conference and she is competing for playing time against two very capable goalies every day in practice. This bodes very well for us.”
The season begins Labor Day weekend in Olivet, Michigan with matches against Olivet and Trine. The NAC portion of the schedule will commence Sept. 5 at Concordia-Chicago in River Forest, Illinois.
MSOE women’s soccer player Kate Hermann (Sycamore, Ill./ Sycamore H.S.) has been named to the Capital One / CoSida Academic All American First Team for women’s soccer. She was a CoSida All District First Team selection in 2011-12
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MSOE women’s soccer player Kate Hermann (Sycamore, Ill./ Sycamore H.S.) has been named to the Capital One / CoSida Academic All District First Team for women’s soccer. She was also a CoSida All District First Team selection in 2011-12
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The MSOE women’s soccer team played hard, but could not hold back the number seed Aurora University Spartans, losing 3-1 in the Northern Athletics Conference semifinal round, held in Aurora, Ill.
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The MSOE women’s soccer team, had a total of five student-athletes garner conference awards, announced by the Northern Athletics Conference today. Leading the way on the first team was junior forward Paula Bohl and senior goalkeeper Emma Lumpe.
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MSOE's Natalie Gayner has been named the Northern Athletics Conference Women's Soccer Student-Athlete of the Week for events of Oct. 22-28.
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