Sept. 26, 2005
Contact: Brian McCann
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Match 11
Cleveland State (0-10, 0-0) at UW-Milwaukee (4-4-2, 1-0)
Date: Friday, September 30, 2005
Time: 4:00 p.m. CDT
Site: Engelmann Field (2,000), Milwaukee, Wis.
Series: UWM leads, 2-0
Last Meeting: UWM 4, CSU 1 (11/4/04 at Indianapolis -- HL Tourney)
Match 12
UW-Green Bay (3-5-1, 0-1) at Cleveland State (0-10)
Date: Sunday, October 2, 2005
Time: 12:30 p.m. EDT
Site: Krenzler Field (1,680), Cleveland, Ohio
Series: UWGB leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: UWGB 7, CSU 0 (10/29/04 at GB)
Promo: Krenzler Field Rededication
SETTING THE SCENE: This will be a very important week in the short history of the women's soccer program at Cleveland State. The Vikings will formally rededicate Krenzler Field when they host UW-Green Bay on Sunday, Oct. 2 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Judge Alvin Krenzler, a former member of the CSU Board of Trustees (1967-70) whose contributions helped to make the original construction possible, will be on hand for the prematch ceremonies. Earlier in the weekend, Cleveland State will open its second season of Horizon League play on Friday, Sept. 30 at defending regular season champion UW-Milwaukee. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. at UWM's Engelmann Field.
REVIEWING LAST WEEK: The Vikings ended a stretch of five matches in eight days with three matches last week. Here is a synopsis of those contests:
Match 8: Niagara 3, CSU 1 (Sept. 20, Krenzler Field)
Niagara's Stephanie Gartley scored a hat trick, including two goals in the first 3:10, to lead the Purple Eagles. Amber Rasmussen scored her first goal of the year in the 12th minute, but CSU could come no closer. Sophomore Allie Zajaros played in goal for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury late in the 2004 season.
Match 9: Duquesne 3, CSU 0 (Sept. 23, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Duquesne's Martine Gilbert's goal with 50 seconds left in the first half broke open a scoreless match and Erica Carey added a pair of goals in the first 13 minutes of the second half to put the contest away. CSU was outshot, 21-6.
Match 10: IPFW 2, CSU 1 (Sept. 25, Krenzler Field)
IPFW scored the game-winner on a defensive miscue with 1:14 left, sending CSU to its 10th straight loss this season. Jennifer Wieand scored her first goal of the season to tie the match at 1-1 early in the first half.
KRENZLER REDEDICATION SET FOR SUNDAY: After undergoing nearly $3 million in renovations since last year, Krenzler Field will be officially rededicated during the home doubleheader next Sunday (Oct. 2). The dedication ceremony, which will be attended by Judge Alvin Krenzler and CSU president Dr. Michael Schwartz, includes a Sunday morning brunch for soccer alumni and other dignitaries and a pre-match ceremony before the women's contest against UW-Green Bay. The improvements to Krenzler Field, which has served as the home for Cleveland State soccer since 1985, include the addition of an all-purpose FieldTurf playing surface and a removable air-supported dome that will cover it during the winter months. The dome, a product of Yeadon Domes, will cover the entire length of Krenzler Field, approximately 94,000 square feet, with a 60-foot ceiling. It will be made of a heavy-duty vinyl coated flame-resistant polyester architectural fabric.
PREVIEWING THE VIKINGS: Cleveland State bears little resemblance to the inaugural Viking squad that went 0-20 a year ago, and it is only a matter of time before the program records its first victory. The strength of the Vikings is in the midfield where sophomores Heather Clapacs, an honorable mention All-Ohio choice last year, and Amber Rasmussen and freshman Lisa Conway have helped to control play and create offense. It took CSU just five matches this fall to surpass the four goals it scored during the entire 20-match 2004 season. The offensive increase is due in part to the play of freshman Ashley Walchack and sophomore Ashley Spahn, who share the team lead with two goals each, and redshirt freshman Abbie Kakias, who has come back from major knee surgery to score one goal with one assist this year. The defense has been hurt by the season-ending knee injury to Maggie Pugliese, but the freshmen trio of Callie Carrera, Missy Boehm and Natalie Wilson have helped to stabilize the unit.
RETURN OF THE GOALIE: When sophomore Allie Zajaros had shoulder surgery last spring, it was feared that the rehabilitation period would prevent her from playing any time in goal this year. She moved to the defense for the beginning of the year, seeing playing time in four of the first six contests including a start in the Sept. 11 Valaparaiso match. Zajaros, who ranked fourth in the Horizon League with 81 saves last year including a school-record 18 against Bowling Green, was medically cleared to play in goal last week. She played the second half in each of the last three contests, making five saves and allowing four goals.
BRINGING THEIR A-GAME: The improved offensive performance of the Vikings this year is largely due to the quartet of sophomore Amber Rasmussen and freshmen Ashley Walchack, Ashley Spahn and Abbie Kakias, who have combined to score six of the seven Viking goals this season. The A-theme is not a new one. Last year, Rasmussen had a hand in all four CSU goals, finishing as the team's scoring leader with one goal and three assists.
FRESHMEN ORIENTATION: For the second straight season, youth is being served on the Viking roster as 10 of the 21 players on the squad are freshmen. Six freshman were in the starting lineup for the season opener with three more seeing action off the bench. Things have improved since last year when 14 of the 21 players on the roster were freshmen.
. . . AND THE FRESHMEN GRAB STARTING SPOTS: In the first 10 matches of the season, seven different Viking freshmen have combined to start a total of 62 times, or 56-percent of the starts. Freshmen Ashley Walchack and Erin Withrow, and redshirt freshman Abbie Kakias have each started all 10 matches this year.
NEXT UP: The Vikings continue Horizon League play with a pair of home matches. CSU will host Detroit on Friday, Oct. 7 and Butler on Sunday, Oct. 9 on Krenzler Field.
