2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Soccer: WU earns top seed in playoff
Team honors six seniors
By: Matt Majikas
Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
After a lopsided 7-0 win against Blackburn College Oct. 21, the Webster women's soccer team are poised to make a run at the team's third Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship in four years.
The victory prompted the Maryville Saints women's soccer players to take a cheap shot at the reigning SLIAC champion Gorloks. They created a Facebook group prior to the match with the Gorlok women's soccer team declaring their intentions to "kick some Gorlok ass."
Oct. 28, the Gorloks squared off with Maryville with nothing left to prove conference-wise. Maryville had topped the Gorloks in a 2-1 non-conference match up the previous week, and the Gorloks' undefeated SLIAC record was on the line.
"Since the loss against Maryville, we refocused in terms of what we need to do to finish strong," Head Coach Luigi Scire said. "I think Maryville is going to play their best game of the season."
The Gorloks happily welcomed back junior Katie Mannion for the match. Mannion returned from an ACL injury that sidelined her for half of the season.
"I am so ready to go," Mannion said before the game. "I have no doubt that everyone is fired up to play."
The Gorloks got on the board first when senior defender Jennifer McSheehy found the back of the net with four minutes remaining in the first half. The Gorloks maintained the lead throughout the second half behind strong goaltending from senior Heather Schaefer and sophomore Jessica Kozeny, who combined for seven saves.
Just when the Gorloks thought they had the game wrapped up, Maryville's Katie Biri trickled a ball into the Gorlok net in the 89th minute, sending the game into overtime. In the 107th minute, SLIAC Player of the Week for Oct. 2 through 8, freshman Kelsey McClure, buried her team-leading 18th goal - a shot that sank just below the crossbar giving the Gorloks a 2-1 double overtime win.
After the game, Scire turned his back to the field for a discrete fist pump.
The win not only gave the Gorloks bragging rights, but also a perfect 8-0 SLIAC record. However, the Gorloks had mixed emotions after the win. Six Gorlok seniors had played their last regular season game.
"This program is going to miss their passion for this game," Scire said. "To be playing in the conference tournament again speaks highly of their motivation and determination."
The graduating Gorloks are: goalie Heather Schaefer, defender Jennifer McSheehy, forwards Mary Bunt and Shaina Neiderschulte and midfielders Kristen Kinsella and Michelle Sweeney - of whom all played four years of soccer.
The Gorloks now turn their focus to the SLIAC tournament, which will begin Nov. 1 when they take on Westminster College at Anheuser Busch Soccer Park. The Gorloks shut out Westminster in each of their previous regular season games outscoring the Blue Jays 5-0.
"We are not taking any team lightly," Neiderschulte said. "It doesn't matter who the team is; we have to be ready."
The Gorloks hope to make their second NCAA tournament appearance in as many seasons and improve on their showing from last season. The Gorloks were knocked out of the first round of the NCAA tournament by Wheaton College last season. With a favorable overall record and a SLIAC tournament win, the Gorloks would likely get a higher seeding for the first round of the NCAA tournament this fall. With a newly found focus, the entire Gorlok squad is confident the team will send its senior leaders out in style.
"Physically, our skills and abilities are there," Scire said. "We have to be mentally prepared to play at all times."
The success of the women's soccer season can be attributed to the success of the team's many seniors who now look to the conference tournament as a bittersweet ending to their careers.
This season six seniors led the Gorloks to a perfect 8-0 Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record, along with a 15-3-1 overall record.
Over the last four seasons the Gorloks dominated the SLIAC. In the four seasons that this class of six seniors played the Gorloks accumulated 61 wins, including a staggering 40-3 SLIAC record. Add on three SLIAC Conference Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances with one in the running and the Gorloks have developed into a dynasty.
The defense was anchored by captain Jennifer McSheehy, who accumulated 81 total games played in four years. Midfielder Shaina Neiderschulte averaged almost 10 goals a season. Goaltender Heather Schaefer tallied 245 saves. Captain forward Mary Bunt had 84 points and midfielders Kristen Kinsella and Michelle Sweeney tallied 47 points.
"I am going to miss what they bring as individuals," Head Coach Luigi Scire said.
"And all six of them are class individuals."
Each of the six seniors were honored before the Oct. 28 match up with the Maryville Saints. Each player was recognized with flowers, balloons, picture collages and even framed jerseys commemorating their contribution to the program.
"These girls have been outstanding ambassadors for the girl's soccer program," Scire said.
During the four years that Scire coached these six seniors he claimed the head coach of the year honor in 2003 and 2005. With yet another dominating season Scire will likely win the award once again for 2006.
After their 2-1 overtime defeat of Maryville, the Gorloks happily greeted family and fans on the sidelines for what turned into tearful embraces. The last regular season game for the Gorloks gave the team an opportunity for revenge of their 2-1 non-conference loss to Maryville Oct. 18. While the Gorloks already locked down a conference title Oct. 21 against Blackburn College, the team still feels like there is something to prove.
"We are not taking any team lightly," Neiderschulte said. "It doesn't matter who the team is, we have to be ready."
However, The Gorloks still have unfinished business. The SLIAC tournament begins Nov. 1 when the Gorloks will take on Westminster College at Anheuser Busch Soccer Park. The Gorlok seniors hope to go out in style with a SLIAC tournament win and their third NCAA tournament appearance in four years.
The victory prompted the Maryville Saints women's soccer players to take a cheap shot at the reigning SLIAC champion Gorloks. They created a Facebook group prior to the match with the Gorlok women's soccer team declaring their intentions to "kick some Gorlok ass."
Oct. 28, the Gorloks squared off with Maryville with nothing left to prove conference-wise. Maryville had topped the Gorloks in a 2-1 non-conference match up the previous week, and the Gorloks' undefeated SLIAC record was on the line.
"Since the loss against Maryville, we refocused in terms of what we need to do to finish strong," Head Coach Luigi Scire said. "I think Maryville is going to play their best game of the season."
The Gorloks happily welcomed back junior Katie Mannion for the match. Mannion returned from an ACL injury that sidelined her for half of the season.
"I am so ready to go," Mannion said before the game. "I have no doubt that everyone is fired up to play."
The Gorloks got on the board first when senior defender Jennifer McSheehy found the back of the net with four minutes remaining in the first half. The Gorloks maintained the lead throughout the second half behind strong goaltending from senior Heather Schaefer and sophomore Jessica Kozeny, who combined for seven saves.
Just when the Gorloks thought they had the game wrapped up, Maryville's Katie Biri trickled a ball into the Gorlok net in the 89th minute, sending the game into overtime. In the 107th minute, SLIAC Player of the Week for Oct. 2 through 8, freshman Kelsey McClure, buried her team-leading 18th goal - a shot that sank just below the crossbar giving the Gorloks a 2-1 double overtime win.
After the game, Scire turned his back to the field for a discrete fist pump.
The win not only gave the Gorloks bragging rights, but also a perfect 8-0 SLIAC record. However, the Gorloks had mixed emotions after the win. Six Gorlok seniors had played their last regular season game.
"This program is going to miss their passion for this game," Scire said. "To be playing in the conference tournament again speaks highly of their motivation and determination."
The graduating Gorloks are: goalie Heather Schaefer, defender Jennifer McSheehy, forwards Mary Bunt and Shaina Neiderschulte and midfielders Kristen Kinsella and Michelle Sweeney - of whom all played four years of soccer.
The Gorloks now turn their focus to the SLIAC tournament, which will begin Nov. 1 when they take on Westminster College at Anheuser Busch Soccer Park. The Gorloks shut out Westminster in each of their previous regular season games outscoring the Blue Jays 5-0.
"We are not taking any team lightly," Neiderschulte said. "It doesn't matter who the team is; we have to be ready."
The Gorloks hope to make their second NCAA tournament appearance in as many seasons and improve on their showing from last season. The Gorloks were knocked out of the first round of the NCAA tournament by Wheaton College last season. With a favorable overall record and a SLIAC tournament win, the Gorloks would likely get a higher seeding for the first round of the NCAA tournament this fall. With a newly found focus, the entire Gorlok squad is confident the team will send its senior leaders out in style.
"Physically, our skills and abilities are there," Scire said. "We have to be mentally prepared to play at all times."
The success of the women's soccer season can be attributed to the success of the team's many seniors who now look to the conference tournament as a bittersweet ending to their careers.
This season six seniors led the Gorloks to a perfect 8-0 Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record, along with a 15-3-1 overall record.
Over the last four seasons the Gorloks dominated the SLIAC. In the four seasons that this class of six seniors played the Gorloks accumulated 61 wins, including a staggering 40-3 SLIAC record. Add on three SLIAC Conference Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances with one in the running and the Gorloks have developed into a dynasty.
The defense was anchored by captain Jennifer McSheehy, who accumulated 81 total games played in four years. Midfielder Shaina Neiderschulte averaged almost 10 goals a season. Goaltender Heather Schaefer tallied 245 saves. Captain forward Mary Bunt had 84 points and midfielders Kristen Kinsella and Michelle Sweeney tallied 47 points.
"I am going to miss what they bring as individuals," Head Coach Luigi Scire said.
"And all six of them are class individuals."
Each of the six seniors were honored before the Oct. 28 match up with the Maryville Saints. Each player was recognized with flowers, balloons, picture collages and even framed jerseys commemorating their contribution to the program.
"These girls have been outstanding ambassadors for the girl's soccer program," Scire said.
During the four years that Scire coached these six seniors he claimed the head coach of the year honor in 2003 and 2005. With yet another dominating season Scire will likely win the award once again for 2006.
After their 2-1 overtime defeat of Maryville, the Gorloks happily greeted family and fans on the sidelines for what turned into tearful embraces. The last regular season game for the Gorloks gave the team an opportunity for revenge of their 2-1 non-conference loss to Maryville Oct. 18. While the Gorloks already locked down a conference title Oct. 21 against Blackburn College, the team still feels like there is something to prove.
"We are not taking any team lightly," Neiderschulte said. "It doesn't matter who the team is, we have to be ready."
However, The Gorloks still have unfinished business. The SLIAC tournament begins Nov. 1 when the Gorloks will take on Westminster College at Anheuser Busch Soccer Park. The Gorlok seniors hope to go out in style with a SLIAC tournament win and their third NCAA tournament appearance in four years.
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