Soccer teams end season
By Crystal Abrell & Micah McVicker | Opinion Editor & Staff Writer
The University of Indianapolis women’s soccer team fell to Northern Kentucky University 0-1 in the GLVC women’s soccer semi-final match on Nov. 7, ending their season 11-5-2, 6-3-2 GLVC.
Junior foward Ashley Seehase led the team with three goal attemtps throughout the game, but did not score.
The Greyhound’s season came to an end when NKU scored the lone goal in regulation play.
The Norse of Northern Kentucky had reached their match against the ‘Hounds in the conference tournament by defeating Bellarmine 3-2 in their opening round game.
UIndy played Quincy University on Nov. 2 in the GLVC tournament. Senior Alli Opfer scored on a header from a Morgan Binder corner kick to propel the sixth-ranked Greyhounds past the No. 3 Hawks in double overtime, 1-0.
The win came in the first round of the GLVC Tournament, propelling the team to the second round.
Senior goalkeeper Abby Tracy recorded her 10th shutout this year, making six saves in the 109:35 time necessary to decide the game. She also tied her own mark for most in a season in UIndy history.
While the women’s soccer did advance to the semi-finals of the GLVC tournament, the UIndy men’s soccer team fell to Drury University 2-1 on Nov. 1, ending their season with an overall record of 6-7-4, 5-4-3 GLVC.
According to senior captain Brian Fishback, the team’s overall record is not where it should have been.
“We have a lot of talent on this team, probably the most collaborative talent since I’ve been here, but our youth combined with injuries have caused us to drop a few results we shouldn’t have,” Fishback said.
With soccer having the third highest injury rate in men’s sports. The many setbacks have led to the team placing fifth in the GLVC tourney.
“The amount of injuries has caused our line-up to be pretty inconsistent from week to week, which hurts team chemistry on the field,” Fishback said.
With many injures, the Greyhound men’s soccer team has had its obstacles and setbacks, but have also had many individual performances and honors throughout the season.
Two ‘Hounds gained GLVC postseason honors on Oct. 30. Fishback and freshman Andrew Jones earned a spot on the All-GLVC squad; Fishback took a spot on the league’s all-second team and Jones earned a place on the third team.
Jones was also the leading scorer for the team with seven goals, three assists and a total of 17 points. He started all 17 games this season.
Fishback started 16 out of 17 games of the season and was second in leading the team with two goals, four assists and a total of eight points.
The team plans to review tapes and re-evaluate conditioning to improve for next years season.
“At the end of the day, the team as a whole must decide they would like to do better,” head coach John Griffin said.
Six of the Greyhounds will graduate this year, leaving a gap in the roster. Griffin, along with assistant coaches John Higgins and Andy Hubbard are looking to recruit several players from countries such as; Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, as well as the Caribbean’s for the 2009-10 season.
“One of the battles we fight as coaches is living in such an ESPN culture,” Griffin said. “When a team does poorly we look to the coach for fault when in all reality that is inaccurate. Potential in the team remains to be seen, therefore we are reviewing other avenues internationally.”
According to Griffin, when recruiting players internationally, there tends to be more appreciation, professionalism and maturity.
“Hopefully this will motivate current players to step it up and refocus,” Griffin said. “The team has to get right mentally to be effective.”
