Women stay even after tough weekend

by Dustin Looney
Courier Staff

On Friday, Sept. 31, the Monmouth College women's soccer team departed for their games on Oct. 1 and 2. The bus ride was over six hours, but this did not stop the team from stomping Ripon 8-1 on Saturday, and playing a good Carroll team tough but eventually losing 2-0 on Sunday.

After the road trip, the Fighting Scots have an overall record of 5-5, and a conference record of 2-2. Although they have not been able to stay over .500, they are still in good shape to achieve their season' goal: to make the playoffs for the first time in school history. To accomplish this, the Scots will need to finish in the top four teams of the Midwest Conference.

"The team is decimated by injuries and illness of consistent starters, senior Kathleen Heinrich, sophomore Ashley Kensinger, and freshman Sarah Kisner. “The results for the weekend leave the team in position to continue to compete for one of four playoff spots, though." said the Fighting Scots Assistant Coach Dick Johnston.

The girls started strong against Ripon College, when senior striker Amy Horneck scored off of a penalty kick 15 seconds into the game. Amy, M.C's all time leader in goals scored, continued to be a defender's worst nightmare, exploding for four first half goals.  She now has 10 goals in the 2005 season, averaging out to an amazing 1 goal per game.

Amy's twin sister, sweeper Abby Horneck, anchored Monmouth's defense that stifled their opponents over the weekend. Abby also contributed by scoring an unassisted goal in the second half. Junior Kristin Mertel helped on defense too, winning every head-ball challenge, as well as starting M.C's attack from her stopper position.  

Senior midfielder, Audrey "Munch" Soffel also played outstanding in both games, displaying incredible dribbling skills.  Stoffel also netted one goal, and assisted three others against Ripon.

"I know the players are looking forward to a regimen of increasingly intensive sprinting in the remaining three weeks," stated Coach Johnston.

Coach Johnston desires to "sprint" his team into the 2005 Midwest Conference playoffs. The team's next match is a non conference game on Sunday, Oct. 9 against Cornell. They then conclude their season with five conferences games. M.C will host their final four games at The Peacock Memorial Athletic Park.