MC women’s soccer headed to conference tournament

Release Date: October 25, 2005

MONMOUTH, Ill. — The Monmouth College women’s soccer team followed up their best-ever weekend with another great performance last Saturday and Sunday, in the process earning the Fighting Scots’ first-ever berth in the Midwest Conference playoffs.

The Scots’ 5-0 and 5-1 victories over St. Norbert and Lawrence, respectively, came on the heels of a pair of 2-0 wins the weekend before against Beloit and Lake Forest. The Lake Forest and St. Norbert wins were the first against those teams in the history of Monmouth’s program.

“When we defeated Beloit, we improved to 4-2 in the conference, but we knew we still had to win two of our last three games to make the playoffs,” said coach Barry McNamara. “It was a daunting task, because our all-time combined record against our next three opponents was 1-22-1.”

But the Scots swept through their tough competition, in the process improving their record to an all-time best 11-5 and extending their winning streak to six in a row.

“I’ve felt since I took over the program in 2003 that we had enough talent to reach the playoffs,” said McNamara. “This year, though, it’s all come together. We’ve been healthy for the most part, particularly during our current streak. Another key has been our defense. We’ve always been able to score, but now we’re stopping teams, too.”

The Scots did not allow a goal in four of the wins during their streak. In all, their scoreless string lasted more than 425 minutes. Senior sweeper Abby Horneck and junior stopper Kristin Mertel have won the MWC’s last two Defensive Performer of the Week honors.

Previously injured players who are now competing at a high level for the Scots include defender Laura VandeMoortel and forward Ashley Kensinger, who both missed parts of their freshman seasons in 2004; freshman Sarah Kisner, who has eight goals on the year, including three last weekend; and senior Audrey Stoffel, who has dished out eight assists from her center mid spot.

“We made a decision to rest some players during the middle portion of our season to get them healthy and ready for our stretch run, and it’s turned out just as we hoped,” said McNamara. “I have to give my assistant coach, Dick Johnston, all the credit for helping me stick with that plan, and also for the expertise he brings to the team on a daily basis. Like I said, it’s all come together, and that includes coaching and team chemistry, too.”

The Fighting Scots’ next challenge is a tough one, but it’s one McNamara believes his team is ready to meet. Monmouth will meet Carroll on Saturday at 11 a.m. in an MWC semifinal in Grinnell, Iowa. The game will be followed by a matchup between Lake Forest and tournament host Grinnell. The winners will meet Sunday at 2 p.m., with the victor advancing to the NCAA tournament.

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t an element of ‘we’re happy to be here,’” said McNamara of the playoffs. “It’s been our goal for three seasons, and we’ve finally achieved it. But we’re playing very, very good soccer right now. Anything can happen at the tournament.”

While Monmouth’s defense has stepped up its play and is surrendering just half a goal per game during the streak, the offense has been rolling along as normal. The Scots have scored a school-record 57 goals this year, with 19 coming from the program’s all-time leading scorer, senior Amy Horneck.

“Amy is having her best year yet, but what makes us so good offensively is that she has help,” said McNamara. “Ashley Kensinger has been a great complement up top, scoring 11 goals, and Sarah Kisner and Audrey Stoffel are also threats to score.”

The team has also gotten big goals recently from midfielders Audrey Bellefeuille, who netted the game-winner vs. Beloit, and Lauren Lafond, who scored a key insurance goal vs. St. Norbert.

In the latter game, the Scots and Green Knights were tied 0-0 at halftime, but Amy Horneck’s goal put Monmouth up 1-0 with 30 minutes to play. Lafond’s goal started a flurry of four scores in the final 17 minutes. Abby Horneck added the final tally on a brilliant 75-yard run through the Green Knights’ defense.

Kensinger and Kisner starred in the Lawrence win, each knocking home two goals. Kensinger also had an assist.

The Scots have also received strong play during their winning streak from junior defender Jess Myers, who has been on the field for every minute; senior midfielder Kathleen Heinrich, who is returning to form after a mid-season injury; and freshman goalkeeper Kelly Gladkin, who is allowing 1.41 goals per game this year with a save percentage of .785.