Illinois Wesleyan 2005 Women's Soccer Stories

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Illinois Wesleyan 2005 Preseason Fact Sheet (pdf)

December 5
Junior Ashley Goergen has been chosen as the “Most Valuable Player” for the 2005 Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team. Goergen led a defense that allowed only 0.94 goals per game during the Titans’ 13-7-1 season as the women’s team became the first IWU soccer team to be selected to play in the NCAA Division III postseason tournament. In other awards, Meghan Rynne was chosen as the team’s “Most Improved Player” and junior goalkeeper Emily Castner and Goergen were elected to be co-captains for the 2006 squad. Seniors Katie Kelly and Mary Karson were elected to the all-Central region squad chosen by members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with Kelly earning second team honors and Karson third. David Barrett awarded letters to 21 players including 17 who will return next season.

November 15
Four Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer players were chosen to the first team of the all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin squads and three more earned second team honors in voting by league coaches on Tues., Nov. 15. Senior Katie Kelly and juniors Katie Korder, Ashley Goergen and Lyndsay O'Brien were first team honorees while seniors Mary Karson and Brittany Kirkpatrick joined freshman Caroline Leighton on the second team. The Titans were 13-7-1 and 5-2 in the league and were the first IWU soccer team to be selected for play in an NCAA Division III tournament.

November 12
The Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer team, playing for the first time in the NCAA Division III championships, lost a 1-0 decision to Loras in the regional held at the Univerity of Chicago on Sat., Nov. 12. The Titans’ season ends with a 13-7-1 overall record while Loras advances with a mark of 18-3. Allison Sanyi scored the only goal of the game at the 30:47 mark on an assist from Rodye Doar. The Titans were outshot, 7-6, in the match. Torey Murray made five saves for the Duhawks and Emily Castner made two saves for the Titans.

November 7
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team has been selected to play in the NCAA Division III championships and will open vs. Loras in the first round on Sat., Nov. 12 in regional play at the U. of Chicago. It is the first time an Illinois Wesleyan soccer team, men or women, has been chosen for postseason NCAA play. The Titans (13-6-1) meet Loras (17-3) in the tournament’s first round on Sat., Nov. 12, at 1:30 p.m. The other game in the regional field at that site at 11 a.m. is No. 13-ranked Chicago (14-2-2) hosting Aurora (15-6-1). The winners square off at 1 p.m. Sun., Nov. 13 for the right to advance. The Titans got goals from Lyndsay O’Brien (shown) and Sarah Alley to defeat Loras, 2-1, Sept. 27 in Bloomington. The 60-team field was announced on Nov. 7 and the finals set for Nov. 26 in Greensboro, N.C.

November 5
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team lost at Wheaton, 4-0, in the championship game of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship tournament on Sat., Nov. 5. Wheaton, the defending NCAA Division III champion, got three second half goals to open up the match that was 1-0 at halftime. The Thunder is 19-2 and has won 10 straight league titles and 15 matches in a row. The Titans are 13-6-1.

November 1
Freshman Tina Rodriguez scored a goal and assisted on one more and senior Katie Kelly added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute as the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team defeated Augustana, 3-1, in the first round of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament on Tues., Nov. 1 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans improve to 13-5-1 and will play at Wheaton for the title on Sat., Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. Caroline Leighton also scored a goal on an assist from Lyndsay O’Brien just 18 seconds after Rodriguez scored on a corner kick.The Titans outshot the Vikings, 11-5. Goalkeeper Emily Castner made two saves for the Titans.

October 29
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team slipped to 12-5-1 overall and 5-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin as the Titans dropped a 1-0 match to Carthage at IWU's Neis Field on Sat., Oct. 29. The No. 21-ranked Titans were outshot 7-6 in the game and goalkeeper Emily Castner made four saves in the "Senior Day" game for Katie Kelly, Mary Karson, Brittany Kirkpatrick and Jenny LaBrenz. The Titans are the No. 2 seed in the CCIW tourney and host Augustana at 7 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 1 in the semifinal round.

October 22
The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team's 10-game unbeaten streak ended with a 4-1 loss to No. 7 nationally-ranked Wheaton on Sat., Oct. 22 at IWU's Neis Field. The No. 21-ranked Titans are now 12-4-1 overall and 5-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Thunder improves to 15-2 overall, 6-0 CCIW. Lyndsay O'Brien scored the Titans' only goal, unassisted, in the 28th minute. Wheaton outshot IWU, 13-7, and Titan goalkeeper Emily Castner made five saves.

October 19
Freshman Caroline Leighton scored three goals as the No. 21-nationally ranked Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team defeated North Central, 4-0, on Wed., Oct. 19 at IWU's Neis Field. The Titans now have a 10-game unbeaten streak and improved to 12-3-1 overall and 5-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Amy Slott scored IWU's other goal and assists in the game came from Tina Rodriguez (two) and Lyndsay O'Brien. Emily Castner was the keeper in the shutout. IWU will next host defending national champion Wheaton at 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 22. The Thunder (12-2) is No. 7 in the current Division III rankings.

October 19
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team, with a nine-game unbeaten streak, has moved up to No. 21 in the latest national Division III rankings released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and adidas. The Titans (11-3-1 overall, 4-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) host North Central at 5 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 19 and will host defending national champion Wheaton at 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 22. The Thunder (12-2) is No. 7 in the current Division III rankings.

October 15
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team, ranked No. 24 in the latest national Division III ratings, got two second half goals to beat Aurora, 2-0, in a nonconference game on Sat., Oct. 15 at IWU's Neis Field. Mary Karson scored on an assist from Tina Rodriguez and Brittany Kirkpatrick scored with an assist from Katie Kelly to provide the offense. Emily Castner made one save in the shutout as IWU (now 11-3-1) outshot the Spartans, 20-2. Aurora fell to 10-5 this season.

October 11
Freshman Caroline Leighton scored three goals to pace the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team to a 9-0 nonconference win over Principia on Tues., Oct. 11 in Elsah, Ill. Lyndsay O'Brien had two goals and three assists, Katie Kelly added two goals, Brittany Kirkpatrick had a goal and an assist and Carrie Walz also found the back of the net as the Titans improved to 10-3-1 overall and have an eight game unbeaten streak. Emily Castner recorded the shutout as the goalkeeper for the Titans, who entered the NCAA Division III national rankings at No. 24.

October 7
Senior forward Katie Kelly scored a pair of goals as the Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team defeated Wisconsin-Stout, 3-1, on Fri., Oct. 7 at IWU's Neis Field. Lyndsay O'Brien also scored a goal and Tina Rodriguez assisted on one of Kelly's goals as the Titans improved to 9-3-1 and extended their unbeaten streak to seven games. UW-Stout fell to 5-2-2 in the nonconference loss.

October 5
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team has a six-game unbeaten streak after a 3-0 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin win over Millikin in Decatur on Wed., Oct. 5. Brittany Kirkpatrick, the current CCIW “Player of the Week”, scored all three Titan goals and Lyndsay O’Brien had two assists in the match. Emily Castner was the goalkeeper in the shutout win as IWU improved to 8-3-1 overall and 4-0 in the CCIW.

October 4
Brittany Kirkpatrick, a senior forward from Lakeville, Minn., has been named "Player of the Week" for women's soccer in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin for the week ending Oct. 2. She had two goals against Elmhurst in the Titans’ 2-0 CCIW win over the Bluejays October 2. Kirkpatrick also had an assist in the Titans’ 2-1 non-league win over nationally-ranked (and previously unbeaten) Loras on Sept. 27.

October 2
Senior Brittany Kirkpatrick  scored both of the Illinois Wesleyan goals as the Titans took a 2-0 decision from Elmhurst on the road Sun., Oct. 2. The Titans improved to 7-3-1 overall and 3-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Kirkpatrick got assists from Ashley Goergen and Tina Rodriguez on her first goal and Katie Kelly on her second. Goalkeeper Emily Castner made six saves in earning her third shutout in the last four games. The Titans outshot the Bluejays, 23-7, with a 16-5 shot-on-goal margin.

September 27
Freshman Sarah Alley scored on a header with less than five minutes to play to give the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Loras on Tues., Sept. 27 at IWU’s Neis Field. The Titans improve to 6-3-1 and the Duhawks are 7-1. Lyndsay O’Brien’s goal in the second half gave the Titans a 1-0 lead but the Duhawks’ Allison Sanyi tied it with six minutes to play. Less than a minute and a half later, Alley scored her goal to give IWU the margin of victory.

September 24
Senior forward Katie Kelly scored both of the Titan goals as Illinois Wesleyan University’s women’s soccer team topped North Park on Sat., Sept. 24 in Chicago. The Titans are now 5-3-1 overall and 2-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Emily Castner had the shutout for IWU, whose defense held North Park from getting a shot on goal in the match. The Titans, who had 15 shots against the Vikings (5-3-1, 0-2 CCIW), next play against Loras, who is 7-0, at IWU’s Neis Field on Tues., Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

September 20
Emily Castner went 110 minutes in goal and made seven saves as the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team battled the No. 19 Washington U. squad to a 0-0 double overtime tie in St. Louis on Tues., Sept. 20. The Titans are 4-3-1 and the Bears are 4-2-1 and have not scored in their last two games. The Titans had 12 shots including four by Katie Kelly and two by Brittany Kirkpatrick. The Titans will play a conference game at North Park on Sat., Sept. 24 at 1 p.m.

September 17
Freshman Tina Rodriguez and senior Mary Karson accounted for unassisted goals as the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team downed Augustana, 2-1, in Rock Island on Sat., Sept. 17. The Titans improved to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin as Augie fell to 4-2, 0-1 CCIW. All of the game’s scoring came in the first half as Rodriguez scored in the 29th minute and Karson scored in the 38th. The Titans outshot the Vikings by a 17-5 margin and Emily Castner made four saves.

September 14
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team lost to nationally-ranked University of Chicago, 2-0, at IWU's Neis Field on Wed., Sept. 14. The Titans, who are now 3-3, had three shots in the game compared to seven for the Maroons, who were ranked No. 11 in the current Division III poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

September 10
Senior striker Katie Kelly scored two goals and had an assist as the Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer team defeated St. Thomas, 4-1, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sat., Sept. 10. Brittany Kirkpatrick had a goal and an assist and freshman Tina Rodriguez also connected on a goal as the Titans improved to 3-1 with their third straight win.

September 7
Freshman Caroline Leighton had a goal and an assist and Katie Kelly, Tina Rodriguez and Lyndsay O’Brien all scored goals as the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team cruised to a 4-0 nonconference win over St. Mary’s (Ind.) on Wed., Sept. 7 at IWU’s Neis Field. Kelly opened the scored with a goal (her third of the season) four minutes into the game and the Titans outshot St. Mary’s, 24-4 with 16 of those shots on goal.

September 3
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team went 1-1 in the 3rd Annual Titan Soccer Classic after topping Hope, 1-0, on Sat., Sept. 3 at Neis Field. The Titans got an unassisted goal from senior captain Katie Kelly in the 67th minute and goalkeeper Emily Castner needed to make just one save in her 90 minutes in net. The Titans outshot Hope, 13-4 and IWU had six shots on goal. Wittenberg, a 2-1 winner over IWU on Sept. 2, was the tournament winner.

September 2
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team dropped its season opener, 2-1, to Wittenberg on Fri., Sept. 2 at Neis Field in the 3rd Annual Titan Soccer Classic. IWU never led in the game and battled back to tie the match, 1-1, on an unassisted goal from senior captain Katie Kelly in the 62nd minute. The Tigers’ Lisa Rusch scored the gamewinner with less than five minutes to play on an assist from Lindsey Rusch. The Titans outshot Wittenberg, 15-8 and IWU had eight shots on goal. IWU hosts Hope (a 1-0 winner over Elmhurst) at 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 3.

August 10
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team, which earned national ranking midseason in 2004, is tabbed to finish second in the annual College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin preseason coaches’ poll. The Titans (14-6-1, 4-2-1 CCIW) earned 39 points in the poll, behind only Wheaton with 49 points. The Thunder are defending NCAA Division III national champions and have won 10 straight CCIW titles. Carthage, last season’s runner-up with a record of 16-5, was third in the poll with 36 points, including one first place vote. IWU opens its season with a 7:30 p.m. home game against Wittenberg on Fri., Sept. 2 as part of the annual Titan Soccer Classic. On Sat., Sept. 3, the Titans will host Hope at 7 p.m. Wittenberg returns 10 of 11 starters from a team that was 11-4-5 last season and Hope was 13-4-2, won their conference championship and played in the NCAA Division III tournament. IWU plays a scrimmage at DePauw on Sat., Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.