Women’s soccer sets sights on conference
Members of the University of Indianapolis women’s soccer team agree that returning to the 2010 conference tournament is a team priority.
“Every time we step on the field now we’re fighting to prove that we can get in the conference tournament, we can win the conference tournament and we can go to the NCAA tournament because that’s where we belong with the talent and the players we have,” said junior back Libby Anderl, one of the team captains.
UIndy defeated University of Illinois-Springfield 2-1 on Oct. 10. An early goal by freshman midfielder Kaitlyn Braunig put the Greyhounds ahead by one. Braunig was assisted on the goal by junior midfielder Lauren Soza and freshman forward Nicole Duncan.
The Prairie Stars responded with their own goal early in the second half.
Soza scored a goal in the 81st minute to secure a late lead and the win for the Greyhounds. Duncan and Braunig assisted on the play. Junior goalkeeper Shae Morris had two saves for the day.
“We came into the game knowing that it was a must-win for us and so we were going to do anything and everything we could to leave with that win,” Anderl said. “We could not leave without it.”
The victory over Illinois-Springfield advanced the Greyhound record to 3-7-2 overall and 3-5-2 in conference play.
UIndy fell 3-0 to No. 6 Grand Valley State University (8-1-1) on Sept. 28. The defending national champions in Division II tallied two goals early in the 22nd and 28th minutes. Sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Bennett was in goal for the game’s full 90 minutes, saving 14 goals total. The Greyhounds had three shots on goal with freshman forward Nicole Duncan providing two.
“It’s a different ballgame when we play them [GVSU]. We play that game for a different reason. To be the best you have to play against the best,” Head Coach Geoff VanDeusen said. “I think we went in with a great mindset, but if you don’t go in clicking on full cylinders against them it’s going to be a difficult task.”
The Greyhounds recovered and earned their second win of the season by defeating the Lewis University Flyers (4-5-0, 4-4-0 GLVC) 2-0 on Oct. 1. Junior midfielder Morgan Binder scored the first goal for UIndy off a free kick in the 70th minute. Duncan tacked on the second point a few minutes later.
“Tying that game and beating Lewis gives us confidence going into our last couple games,” Anderl said.
UIndy played No.12 University of Wisconsion-Parkside (9-1-1, 8-0-1 GLVC) to 0-0 tie in double overtime on Oct. 3, becoming the first team to hold the Rangers this season. Morris had nine saves for the day, including a diving save in the 100th minute to stop a Parkside breakaway. She was in goal for the entirety of the 110 minute game.
“These next games our team is going to step up and really give it everything they have,” VanDeusen said . “They’re going to do it together. They play for each other, which is fantastic.”
UIndy lost 1-0 to the Quincy University Hawks (8-1-3, 6-0-3 GLVC) on Oct. 8. The Greyhounds were unable to hold the ball for long and had no shots on goal. Morris had 11 saves for the day.
“We’re fighting for our lives right now,” Braunig said. “Every game we’re playing right now we’re playing to win. We just have to go out there with the attitude that we have to bring home some wins.”
The Greyhounds face two conference rivals at home this weekend – the Drury Panthers (5-6-2, 3-5-1 GLVC) and the Rockhurst Hawks (7-3-1, 5-2-1 GLVC) on Oct. 15 and Oct. 17, respectively.
“It’s exciting to play Drury and Rockhurst at home; it’s a long trip for them,” said Anderl. “For them to be on the road is an opportunity for us to take advantage of that.”
