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Young, talented soccer team still finding its way after 2-0 loss to SIU
September 12, 2005 —
The SVSU women's soccer team saw its record drop to 2-2-1 yesterday after a 2-0 road loss to Southern Illinois Edwardsville.The Cougars, who scored a goal in each half, out-shot the Cardinals 20-5. The weather nine hours south of SVSU did not make it easy for either team.
"It was 95 degrees outside," head coach Drago Drumbovic said. "It was very hot and humid on that playing field."
The Cardinals have used their non-conference schedule to try to get ready for the GLIAC season. With a team loaded with young talent, Drumbovic is finding out as much as he can about his team before the conference schedule.
"During the non-conference games, I am able to try out many different combinations of players and formations," he said. "We need to figure out what works best for us as a team to compete in the GLIAC."
Drumbovic feels the youth will have to step up now.
"There is no dividing line," he said. "The freshmen and sophomores have to step up now and take a bigger role. They need to learn from the two seniors how to lead."
"Our biggest concern right now is just getting to know how to play with each other, such as finding everyone's strong and weak points so that we can be our best," said junior Stacy LaLond. "We are very young, but we have a lot of talent. We are definitely one of the hardest working teams in the GLIAC."
LaLond took the loss in net for the Cardinals against SIU, as she recorded nine saves against the Cougars.
On Friday, the Cardinals defeated the Tigers from Olivet Nazarene University, 3-1, in Kankakee, Illinois.
Both teams took eight shots on goal in the first half and went into the locker room tied 1-1. The second half, however, belonged to the Cardinals and freshman Stephanie Roy. Roy scored the go-ahead goal at 79:59 of the second half and assisted on the final goal.
Freshman Kimberly Oberski continued her offensive tear, as she increased her season goal total to five with two against the Tigers. Oberski's first goal came at 9:10 of the first half, and her second goal put the game in the bag for the Cardinals at 88:59 of the second half on a breakaway.
The defense held the Tigers to one shot in the second half. LaLond made seven saves to capture the win.
Two days earlier on September 7, the Cardinals played to a 1-1 tie against St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana.
Sophomore Ginny Gates gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead at 35:51 of the first half. St. Joseph's scored a goal in the second half that knotted it at one. The two teams played through two scoreless overtimes.
The Cardinals begin their GLIAC season with their next game, as they host Mercyhurst College Saturday, Sept. 24. The Lakers are 4-1 on the season after a 3-2 win over Indiana (Pa.) on Wednesday.