Illinois Wesleyan 2008 Women's Soccer Stories

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Illinois Wesleyan 2008 Preseason Information (doc)

November 16
For the second straight night in NCAA Division III tournament play in St. Louis, Mo., the Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer team battled to a scoreless tie through two overtimes. On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Titans were outscored, 3-1, in penalty kicks and Washington U. advanced to the sectional semifinals. The Titan season ends with a 15-6-2 record as IWU won the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin regular season championship and claimed an NCAA tournament decision for the first time in school history after a 0-0 tie vs. Rhodes and winning the penalty kick phase on Nov. 15. The Titans and Bears each had 14 shots (six coming from senior Caroline Leighton) and Washington U. put four shots on goal. Sophomore Alli Novak made three saves and had her 10th shutout of the season, which ties the school season mark set by Alicia Heeger in 2002.

November 15
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team outscored No. 17-ranked Rhodes, 4-3, in a shootout to advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament on Saturday, Nov. 15, in St. Louis, Mo. IWU's goals on penalty kicks were scored by Erin Kugler, Caroline Leighton, Elizabeth Sinclair and Tina Rodriguez. The Titans (15-6-1) battled Rhodes (14-4-2) to a 0-0 tie through two overtimes, leading to the shootout. The Titans advance to play the host school Washington U. (15-3-1) at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. The Bears defeated Principia, 3-0. Wesleyan outshot Rhodes, 21-10, and had nine shots on goal compared to six for the Lynx, all saved by sophomore Alli Novak in her ninth shutout of the season. The victory marks the first win ever in the NCAA tournament by an IWU soccer team.

November 10
Seniors Caroline Leighton (shown) and Tina Rodriguez were chosen to the first team and four teammates earned second team honors as the all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin women’s soccer teams were announced on Monday, Nov. 10. Named to the second team were sophomore keeper Alli Novak, sophomore defender Tori Samson, freshman forward Molly O’Brien and freshman defender Lauren Knaack. Leighton, who was second in the league with 16 points, has been a second team all-CCIW selection for the past three seasons and Rodriguez is a first team all-conference selection for the third straight year. Novak led the league with a 0.30 goals-against average and with a .946 save percentage while O’Brien was fourth in the CCIW with 13 points. IWU coach Dave Barrett was the co-winner of the “Coach of the Year” honors, sharing the award with Wheaton’s Pete Felske. Barrett was also the league’s “Coach of the Year” in 2002 and 2003. Wesleyan (15-6) plays Rhodes (14-4-1) in the first round of the NCAA Division III championships in St. Louis on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The winner of that match would play on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. against the winner between host school Washington U. (14-3-1) and Principia (19-1) for the right to advance to the sectional. The winner of the CCIW regular season title, IWU last played in the NCAA event in 2005, losing a 1-0 first round decision at Loras.

November 10
2008 NCAA Division III First Round Game Notes
For the second time in school history, the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team will participate in the NCAA Division III national tournament. The Titans (15-6) will play Rhodes (14-4-1) in the first round of the championships in St. Louis on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The winner of that match would play the winner of the match between host school Washington U. (14-3-1) and Principia (19-1) for the right to advance to the sectional round. The second round would be at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. Wesleyan, the winner of the the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin regular season title, last played in the NCAA event in 2005, losing a 1-0 first round decision at Loras.

November 8
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Wheaton in the championship game of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament on Saturday, Nov. 8 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans (15-6) will await the announcement on Monday, Nov. 10, of the NCAA Division III tournament at-large bids. Two-time defending national champion Wheaton (18-3-1) got a goal from Taryne Lee at the 58:10 mark, her 27th of the season which ties a Wheaton school record. The Thunder outshot Wesleyan, 14-6 and had eight shots on goal compared to three by IWU.

November 5
Illinois Wesleyan junior Elizabeth Sinclair (shown) scored with 13:39 to play in the game and gave the Titans a 1-0 win over Carthage in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin semifinal at Neis Field on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Titans (15-5) will host Wheaton (17-3-1) at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 for the league tourney title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III tourney. Sophomore Alli Novak turned away three shots on goal and the Titans outshot the Lady Reds (17-3) by an 11-4 margin with five shots on goal. Senior Caroline Leighton assisted on Sinclair's goal, her eighth tally of the season.

November 4
Illinois Wesleyan senior midfielder/forward Caroline Leighton was chosen as offensive player of the week for women’s soccer in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Leighton (Bloomington, Ill., Normal Community HS) made the most of her final two regular season games, tallying four goals and two assists in two wins that helped Illinois Wesleyan secure its first-ever women’s soccer CCIW championship. Leighton scored three goals and two assists in a 9-0 win over North Park on Nov. 1. She also had one of the Titans’ five goals in a 5-0 shutout of Millikin on Oct. 29. In the Wesleyan record book, Leighton ranks No. 4 in scoring (94 points) and goals (41) and tied for 12th in assists (12). She is second all-time with 77 games played. The Titans host Carthage at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in a CCIW tournament semifinal game.

November 1
For the first time in school history, the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team has won the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin regular season championship, doing so with a convincing 9-0 win over North Park on Saturday, Nov. 1 at IWU’s Neis Field. The Titans improved to 14-5 and 6-1 in the CCIW and will host a CCIW tournament game on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Wheaton had won every women’s soccer league championship from 1995-2007 with Carthage earning a tie in 2001. On “Seniors’ Day”, senior Caroline Leighton scored three goals and added two assists in the win. Other goals came from Molly O’Brien (who also had two assists), Lynn Martin, Annmarie Dolak, Carlie Hoekstra, Carissa Nemmers and Elizabeth Sinclair. Dolak and Emily Marcheschi also had assists. The Titans outshot the Vikings (4-13-1, 2-4-1 CCIW) by a 27-2 margin and Wesleyan had 19 shots on goal.

October 29
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team defeated Millikin, 5-0, on Wednesday, Oct. 29 to improve to 5-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and take over first place in the league race. Carthage (4-2) lost earlier in the day at Elmhurst and Augustana is 5-2, so a Titan win over North Park on Saturday, Nov. 1 would give IWU its first league title. Elizabeth Sinclair (pictured) had two goals while Molly O'Brien, Kelsey Porter and Caroline Leighton each added one. Porter had an assist as did Emily Marcheschi, Lynn Martin and Carlie Hoekstra. Alli Novak had her seventh shutout of the season as she made four saves. The Titans (13-5 overall) had 25 shots (15 on goal) to only five for the Big Blue (12-8 overall, 1-6 CCIW).

October 28
Illinois Wesleyan senior defender Tina Rodriguez has been named “Defensive Player of the Week” for women’s soccer in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Rodriguez (Simi Valley, Calif., Royal High School) played a key role in holding off the defending national champion Wheaton Thunder in the Titans’ 2-1 win on October 25 at Wheaton. The loss was the Thunder’s first at home in 26 games. Rodriguez held off the Thunder attack that outshot Illinois Wesleyan 19-8 including nine shots on goal. The win was the first for the Titans against Wheaton since 2003. IWU hosts Millikin on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.

October 25
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team improved to 4-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with a 2-1 victory at No. 15 Wheaton on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Titans (12-5 overall) handed the Thunder its first-ever home conference loss when they scored first on an unassisted goal from Tori Samson at the 3:54 mark, then Molly O'Brien broke a 1-1 tie at the 11:56 mark when she took a pass from Caroline Leighton and kicked in it for what proved to be the gamewinner. Sophomore Alli Novak made eight shots as the defending national champion Thunder (14-3-1, 4-2 CCIW) outshot IWU, 19-8 and had nine shots on goal compared to four for Wesleyan. The win snaps a four-game Wheaton win streak over IWU, who last beat Wheaton in 2003 and ended Wheaton’s string of 26 consecutive matches without a defeat on its home field. IWU hosts Millikin on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.

October 22
Illinois Wesleyan sophomore midfielder Alyssa Feulner scored the team's only goal in a 2-1 nonconference loss at the University of Chicago on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Feulner scored to tie the game 1-1 at the 19:59 mark on a shot from 15 yards out on the far left side. Chicago's Claire Gill's goal at the 26:01 mark proved to be the gamewinner. Sophomore Alli Novak had four saves for the Titans (11-5 overall) against the Maroons (8-5-1). IWU plays next at Wheaton at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25.

October 21
Illinois Wesleyan freshman midfielder Molly O’Brien was named women’s soccer “Player of the Week” for offense in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin on Tuesday, October 21. O’Brien (Valparaiso, Ind., HS) scored both goals as Illinois Wesleyan defeated Augustana 2-0 on October 17. O’Brien scored at the 80:19 mark on assists from Caroline Leighton and Kelsey Porter, then added the other goal at the 83:14 mark on an assist from Carlie Hoekstra. With the win over the No. 7 team in the region, the Titans have won six in a row, five by shutout, and are 11-4 overall and 3-1 in the CCIW. IWU plays next on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the University of Chicago.

October 17
Illinois Wesleyan freshman Molly O'Brien scored two goals and sophomore keeper Alli Novak made nine saves to help the IWU women's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Augustana at Neis Field on Friday, October 17. The Titans improved to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while Augustana fell to 11-3, 4-2 CCIW. O'Brien's first goal came with just under 10 minutes to play on assists from Kelsey Porter and Caroline Leighton and she added her next goal at the 83:14 mark on a helper from Carlie Hoekstra. IWU plays next on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the University of Chicago.

October 14
Carlie Hoekstra scored an unassisted goal at the 27:12 mark and Alli Novak made six saves as the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team defeated North Central, 1-0, in Naperville on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The Titans improved to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Cardinals fell to 5-6-3 and 0-4 in CCIW play. It was Novak's fifth shutout and Hoekstra's first goal of the year. Wesleyan next hosts Augustana at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17.

October 11
Alyssa Feulner connected on an unassisted goal at the 8:11 mark and the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team held on to defeat Dominican (Ill.), 1-0, in a nonconference game at Neis Field on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The Titans improved to 9-4 overall while the Stars fell to 9-5. The Titans outshot Dominican, 13-2, and the Stars registered no shots on goal. The Titans put five shots on net with two coming from Carlie Hoekstra and one each from Elizabeth Sinclair and Tori Samson. Wesleyan plays next at North Central on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

October 8
Senior Caroline Leighton collected two goals and led the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team to a 3-0 win over Elmhurst at Neis Field on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The Titans improved to 8-4 overall and 1-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Bluejays fell to 6-5, 2-2 CCIW. Wesleyan's Alyssa Feulner scored in the eighth minute on assists from Molly O'Brien and Carlie Hoekstra. Leighton's first goal was in the 44th minute on an assist from junior Elizabeth Sinclair and she scored again on a boot from 10 yards out in the 56th minute on a helper from Erin Kugler. IWU next hosts Dominican at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.

October 4
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team had seven different players score goals in a 7-0 Homecoming game win against Wisconsin-River Falls on Saturday, Oct. 4 at IWU’s Neis Field. Senior defender Tina Rodriguez assisted on two goals (to Caroline Leighton and Elizabeth Sinclair) and scored one of her own on a penalty kick. Lauren Knaack, Amanda Kessel, Emily Marcheschi and Annmarie Dolak added the other goals while Marcheschi and Carlie Hoekstra had the other assists. The Titans improved to 7-4 overall while UWRF fell to 2-9. Wesleyan next hosts Elmhurst at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

October 1
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team claimed a 2-1 road victory over St. Mary's (Ind.) on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Freshman Molly O'Brien and junior Erin Kugler collected the Wesleyan goals and sophomore keeper Alli Novak made one save in the win. The Titans' record improved to 6-4 overall while the Belles dropped to 1-6-1. IWU plays its Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. against Wisconsin-River Falls.

September 28
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team was shutout, 1-0, by Carthage in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener for both teams at Kenosha, Wis., on Sunday, Sept. 28. The Titans fell to 5-4 overall while the Lady Reds are 8-0. Only seven minutes into the game, Kasie Jabeck scored the game’s only goal on assists from Katy Rosenbrook and Paige Land. The Titans return to action at St. Mary’s (Ind.) on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

September 25
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team played a scoreless match until the 73rd minute when an unassisted goal by Aurora's Jessica Novickas gave the Spartans a 1-0 win over Wesleyan at Neis Field on Thursday, Sept. 25. Sophomore Alli Novak made two saves and IWU had 14 total shots (four on goal) to four for Aurora (7-3). Wesleyan (now 5-3) looks to snap a two-game losing streak at Carthage at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 in the first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin match of the year.

September 21
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team lost a 2-1 decision to Washington U. on Sunday, Sept. 21 at IWU's Neis Field. It is This marks the ninth straight game between Washington U. and Illinois Wesleyan that was a one goal or less differential. The Titans and the Bears are tied in the all-time series, 3-3-3. The Titans' only goal came from senior Caroline Leighton in the 69th minute. IWU outshot the Bears, 13-12, and had nine shots on goal. Wesleyan's Alli Novak made six saves. The Bears (6-1-1) scored two goals 16 seconds apart in the first half, coming from Emma Brown at 37:54 and Kristen Hilligoss at 38:10.

September 20
Five different Illinois Wesleyan players scored goals as the Titans defeated Fontbonne, 6-0, in women’s soccer on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Neis Field. Freshman Molly O’Brien scored in the fifth while freshman Lynn Martin and freshman Amanda Kessel also logged first half goals. Senior Caroline Leighton and sophomore Kelsey Porter scored in the second half along with Kessel adding her second tally of the match. O’Brien, Martin and Elizabeth Sinclair all provided assists for the Titans, who improved to 5-1. Fontbonne (4-2-2) had no shots on goal and IWU had 14. The Titans are back in action on Sunday, Sept. 21 hosting Washington U. (5-1-1).

September 16
Courtney Constantino of Elmhurst and Alli Novak of Illinois Wesleyan have been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin women’s soccer players of the week. Novak, a sophomore goalkeeper from Naperville, Ill. (North HS), was the "Offensive Player of the Week" as she helped lead the Titans to two shutouts. She played the first half in an 8-0 win over Eureka on September 8. She then made three saves in 70:02 minutes of playing time in a 4-0 win against Maryville two nights later. Constantino was the "Offensive Player of the Week" as she scored four goals while leading Elmhurst to a 2-0 record last week.

September 13
The heavy rains in the Midwest as a result of Hurricane Ike's northerly path forced the postponement of the scheduled women's soccer match at the University of Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 13. The Titans and Maroons will play the match at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22 in Chicago.

September 10
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team claimed a 4-0 win over Maryville on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at IWU’s Neis Field in Bloomington. Alyssa Feulner’s goal in the opening minute of play sparked the Titans to a lead. Junior Elizabeth Sinclair, senior Caroline Leighton and freshman Lynn Martin also scored as Wesleyan improved to 4-1 and hammered Maryville with 24 shots. Goalkeepers Alli Novak and Haley Hergert combined for the shutout.

September 8
Emily Marcheschi scored two goals and added an assist and Elizabeth Sinclair and Annmarie Dolak also scored two goals each as the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team defeated Eureka, 8-0, at IWU’s Neis Field on Monday, September 8. The Titans had 44 shots and 24 shots on goal and Eureka only managed one shot on goal late in the game. Freshman Molly O’Brien scored her third goal of the year to open play, followed by goals by Marcheschi and Dolak. Freshman Lauren Knaack collected her first college goal at the 60:33 mark. Alyssa Feulner and Carlie Hoekstra each had two assists while Rachel Pennington and Caroline Leighton each had an assist as the Titans improved to 3-1.

August 31
Freshman Molly O'Brien (shown) scored both goals and sophomore goalkeeper Alli Novak had her second straight shutout as the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team defeated Kalamazoo, 2-0, on Sunday, August 31 to win the title of the 2008 Hornet/Briton Classic at Kalamazoo, Mich. O'Brien scored her first goal unassisted in the 62nd minute, then got her second goal on an assist from freshman Lynn Martin in the 83rd minute. Novak made one save on Kalamazoo's only shot on goal and the Titans made 18 shots on goal as keeper Taylor Comiskey made 16 saves. The Titans (2-0) play next at Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

August 30
In her first college game, freshman Lynn Martin scored the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute to give Illinois Wesleyan a 1-0 win over Albion in the 2008 Hornet/Briton Classic at Kalamazoo, Mich., on Saturday, August 30. Martin scored on an assist from sophomore Carlie Hoekstra. The Titans outshot the Britons, 18-11, and sophomore goalkeeper Alli Novak made three saves. IWU plays Kalamazoo on Sunday, August 31.

August 7
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2008 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin preseason coaches’ poll. The Titans (7-8-3 overall and 3-3-1 in the CCIW last season) earned 34 points in the poll. Defending national champion Wheaton was picked first with 49 points and seven first place votes while Augustana was second with 39 points and Carthage was third with 38 points and the other first place vote. Wesleyan opens its 2008 season August 30-31 at the Hornet/Briton Classic in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Titans play Albion on Aug. 30 and Kalamazoo on Aug. 31. IWU has its first home match on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. vs. Eureka and hosts UW-River Falls on Oct. 4 for Homecoming. Second team all-CCIW selection Caroline Leighton led IWU in scoring in 2007 with 28 points and after three seasons she ranks No. 8 at IWU in career scoring (69 points) and No. 5 with 31 goals.

July 1
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team, after a trip to Europe in May and early June, will open its 2008 season August 30-31 at the Hornet/Briton Classic in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Titans play Albion on Aug. 30 and Kalamazoo on Aug. 31. IWU (7-8-3 overall and 3-3-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin last season) has its first home mtach on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. vs. Eureka and will host UW-River Falls on Oct. 4 for Homecoming. Second team all-CCIW selection Caroline Leighton led IWU in scoring in 2007 with 28 points and after three seasons she ranks No. 8 at IWU in career scoring (69 points) and No. 5 with 31 goals.