Indiana University Athletics
Soccer Opens Season on West Coast
8/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LMU & USC Tournament Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Aug. 24, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana women's soccer team is headed to Los Angeles, Calif., for its season opener at the USC Tournament against Loyola Marymount on Friday, Aug. 26, on McAlister Field, at 4 p.m. (PT). The Hoosiers will follow up the match with a contest against Southern California on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. (PT).
"We are starting out with a rough road in our season openers," head coach Mick Lyon said. "We are playing some tough teams in LMU and USC. USC is ranked in the top 20 in Soccer Buzz, and has the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. We are going to stretch our team with some valuable experience against them this weekend, and hopefully we will have some good results."
•Head Coach Mick Lyon Preview•
"We are excited about playing such a strong program in Loyola Marymount," Lyon said. "They are very physical and will challenge us at every position. One thing we do have to our advantage against LMU is they have not had an exhibition match this year. We have already had a chance to highlight both our weaknesses and strengths in our two preseason matches, and now have worked to improve on both. I am feeling confident that we can perform at our highest level of competition this Friday."
•Last Time Out•
It was nothing but spectacular for the Indiana women's soccer team during its shutdown of Memphis, 5-0, on Friday, Aug. 19, during its exhibition opener. The Hoosiers netted their first goal with a flip throw-in from junior Megan Pipkens, who setup fellow teammate Carrie DeFreece for the goal at the 17:21 mark. Again the scoreboard moved in the Hoosiers favor as Kristin Radcliffe added her first of two goals on the night at 24:19 off an assist from freshman Molly Kruger and Pipkens. IU's third goal came off the head of Pipkens, who also tallied two assists on the night. Pipkens received the opportunity off a free kick from junior Ali Brown. Radcliffe again found her way through the defense, taking a ball from junior Lauren Dieter at the 32:17 mark to post her second goal of the evening. The Hoosiers would wrap up the scoring drive with a goal near midfield from freshman Ashley Seib at 67:51. The freshman chipped the ball over Memphis' goalie and in the net to give the Hoosiers their final score.
The team finished its preseason schedule by defeating Valparaiso, 2-0, on Sunday Aug. 21. The Hoosiers, after a display of defense from both teams, would find the net at the 65:18 mark behind the work of junior midfielder Ali Brown and sophomore midfielder Lindsey McCarthy. Brown tallied her second assist in as many matches, while McCarthy posted a goal for the first time off a throw-in from Brown. While the Hoosiers began slow on offense, they came out strong and determined in the second half, posting 12 shots during the game's final period and totaling 19 on the day. IU's defense held the Crusaders to six shots on the day, a team that tallied 10 in a losing effort in its first exhibition match against Grand Valley State.
•Scouting Loyola Marymount•
This will be the first contest for the Lions in 2005. They will not participate in any exhibition matches prior to their match against the Hoosiers. Loyola is returning nine starters from last year's 10-7-3 team, four of which are seniors.
The Lions top threats come from the feet of seniors Lori Sims, who posted eight goals, six assists and 22 points, and Kellie Schroeder, who posted five goals, two assists and 12 points last season. Sims led the Lions in all three categories.
•Scouting No.18 USC•
The Women of Troy posted a 4-2 scrimmage win over Cal State Northridge in its preseason matchup. The Trojans bring a talented group of veteran talent, along with a freshman class that is ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Trojans are ranked preseason No. 18 by Soccer Buzz and are picked second in the Pac-10.
Scoring for USC in its win over CSUN were Tracy Lansing, Lauren Brown, Amy Rodriguez and Nini Loucks on the way to the 4-2 decision.
•First Time for Everything•
This will be the first matchup for the Hoosiers against Loyola Marymount and USC since the inception of the program in 1993. This is the Hoosiers' first trip since 1998 out to the West Coast, and only its fifth time overall to the United States' Pacific Coast.
•2005 Season Preview•
The Hoosiers continue to rely on their defensive ability to stop opposing teams. The 2004 team again set a record for the least number of goals allowed by opponents with 18, which ranked second in the Big Ten. Every year, head coach Mick Lyon's Hoosiers have set a record for fewest goals allowed since he took the job three years ago.
With past years seeing a squad that was bottom heavy with underclassmen and inexperience, this year's team is full of experience in not only Big Ten matches, but international and club contests as well. This year's team has four seniors, five juniors, nine sophomores and 10 freshmen.
•On the Road Again•
This will be the sixth time Indiana has opened its season on the road. Last season, the Hoosiers started off with a trip to the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Invitational, facing Marquette and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, taking its first game, 4-0, against Marquette.
The Hoosiers are 9-3 in season openers. The last time the Hoosiers lost its season debut was in 2003 against Miami, 1-0, in an overtime loss.
•KRUGER WATCH•
Freshman Molly Kruger enters the lineup as a true freshman, though she is no stranger to the Hoosiers. Kruger was slated to be a 2004 recruit before a car accident required her to forgo enrollment at IU.
Kruger enters the season as a top recruit and an immediate contributor for the Hoosiers at the midfield position. Kruger has already tabbed six shots, one goal and one assist in the team's two exhibition matches.
"Molly's ability to pass on a dime will be key for our forwards and offense in general this coming season," head coach Mick Lyon said. "She will be an immediate impact for us this season."
•ON THE GO WITH PIP•
Junior Megan Pipkens is nothing, if not on the go. Her aggressive style of play makes it even harder for the fans to keep up with her fancy footwork.
Pipkens has already tallied six shots, one goal and two assists in the team's first two preseason matches.
As the Hoosiers top returner, Pipkens will lead the offensive regiment of forwards and midfielders that will all make their mark in the back of the net this season.
•PROTECTING GOAL•
The Hoosiers have yet to allow a goal in its first two preseason matches.
Indiana has only allowed seven goals in game openers since the programs inception in 1993. IU is 9-3 overall in season debuts, seven of those wins coming at the hands of a shutout.
•CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN•
Senior Kristen Zmijewski has been named the 2005 team captain for the Hoosiers. Zmijewski is one of three seniors on the squad and will lead Indiana from the midfield position. While only standing 5-4 on the height roster, Zmijewski was chosen for her leadership ability.
"She will be our on-field captain and leader," head coach Mick Lyon said. "Her leadership qualities and work ethic make her a perfect match for the role."
•PIPES WATCH•
The Hoosiers have played all four goalies on the roster during their two exhibition matches. As the season spans out, the competition for the starting position will begin to heat up, with senior Lauren Fabbro and sophomore Stacey Van Boxmeer looked at to compete for most of the playing time.
•LOCK AND LOAD•
The Hoosiers outshot their opponents 31-10 in their two preseason matches. Indiana capitalized on seven of those opportunities and did not allow any goals in its two exhibitions.
One of the keys to this year is getting the offense moving and aggressive, a feat reflected so far in the stats. This time last year, the Hoosiers had only tallied 22 shots across two games of play.
