2006 WIAC Women's Soccer Season Headlines

2006 WIAC Women's Soccer Season Headlines

UW-Eau Claire’s Westbrock Named to NSCAA All-America Third Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Becky Westbrock has been named to the 2006 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) NCAA Division III All-America Third Team.

The senior defender from Oakdale, Minn. (North St. Paul H.S.) is the third NSCAA All-America selection in school history and first since Kari Blasczyk in 2000. All three honorees from UW-Eau Claire have been third team choices.

Westbrock is the first individual from the conference to earn All-America honors since UW-Stevens Point’s Kelly Fink secured third team status in 2002.

Westbrock spearheaded a defense that allowed 10 goals and posted a WIAC single-season record 18 shutouts. She added one goal and three assists for five points.

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UW-Eau Claire’s Westbrock and UW-River Falls’ Jensen Earn D3Kicks.com All-America Second Team Honors

RELEASED: Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Becky Westbrock and UW-River Falls’ Amy Jensen have been named to the 2006 D3Kicks.com All-America Second Team.

Westbrock, a senior defender from Oakdale, Minn. (North St. Paul H.S.), spearheaded a defense that allowed 10 goals and posted a WIAC single-season record 18 shutouts. She added one goal and three assists for five points.

Jensen, a senior midfielder from Plymouth, Minn. (Bloomington Kennedy H.S.), finished the season with five goals and eight assists for 18 points.

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Ten Named to NSCAA All-Central Region Squad

RELEASED: Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Madison, Wis.--Ten Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2006 NCAA Division III National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Central Region Women’s Soccer Team.

UW-Eau Claire’s Maria Iaizzo, Allie Rivard and Becky Westbrock and UW-Oshkosh’s Michelle John were named to the first team. The Blugolds’ Emily Meisinger and UW-River Falls’ Ashley Peterson were second team selections, while the Blugolds’ Liz Kooistra, the Titans’ Dana Gudel and Maggie Hoffman and UW-Stevens Point’s Amanda Prawat were third team choices.

The All-Central Region Team consists of individuals representing the WIAC, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Midwest Conference, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Northern Athletics Conference and University Athletic Association.

Iaizzo, a senior forward from White Bear Lake, Minn., was named the WIAC Player of the Year after totaling a WIAC-leading nine game-winning goals and ranking second with 46 points, 18 goals and 10 assists.

Rivard, a sophomore goalkeeper from Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata H.S.), set a conference single-season record with a 0.19 goals against average and also led the league with a .941 save percentage.

Westbrock, a senior defender from Oakdale, Minn. (North St. Paul H.S.), earned second team all-region honors a year ago. This season, she spearheaded a defense that allowed 10 goals and posted a WIAC single-season record 18 shutouts. Westbrock added one goal and three assists for five points.

John, a senior midfielder from Whitefish Bay, Wis., was an all-region third team choice in 2005 after receiving second team status in 2004. This year, she totaled four goals and seven assists for 15 points.

Meisinger, a senior midfielder from Green Bay, Wis. (Notre Dame H.S.), ranked third in the WIAC with nine assists and registered nine goals for 27 points. She was an all-region third team selection last season.

Peterson, a senior forward from Lino Lakes, Minn. (Forest Lake H.S.), ranked third in the league with 43 points and nine assists, while placing fourth with 17 goals.

Gudel, a junior defender from Middleton, Wis., led a defense that produced seven shutouts and allowed just 22 goals. Offensively, she tallied two goals and one assist for five points.

Kooistra, a sophomore midfielder from Lakeville, Minn., accumulated 10 goals and six assists for 26 points.

Hoffman, a junior midfielder from Waukesha, Wis. (South H.S.), ranked 10th in the conference with nine goals and 23 points. She also contributed five assists.

Prawat, a sophomore forward from Oregon, Wis., secured all-region third team recognition for the second straight year after ranking second in the WIAC with 18 goals and fourth with 42 points. She added six assists during the 2006 campaign.

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Seven Earn D3Kicks.com All-Central Region Honors

RELEASED: Thursday, November 30, 2006

Madison, Wis.--Seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2006 D3Kicks.com All-Central Region Team.

UW-Eau Claire’s Becky Westbrock and UW-River Falls’ Amy Jensen were first team selections, while the Blugolds’ Maria Iaizzo and Allison Smith and the Falcons’ Ashley Peterson and Kim Saufl were second team choices. UW-Eau Claire’s Allie Rivard earned third team recognition.

The All-Central Region Team consists of individuals representing the WIAC, American Southwest Conference, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Midwest Conference, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Northern Athletics Conference, St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and University Athletic Association.

Jensen, a senior midfielder from Plymouth, Minn. (Bloomington Kennedy H.S.), finished the season with five goals and eight assists for 18 points.

Westbrock, a senior defender from Oakdale, Minn. (North St. Paul H.S.) and Smith, a sophomore defender from Bloomington, Minn. (Jefferson H.S.), spearheaded a defense that allowed 10 goals and posted a WIAC single-season record 18 shutouts. Westbrock added one goal and three assists for five points, while Smith contributed three assists.

Saufl, a senior forward from Champlin, Minn., was second on the team in scoring after registering 10 goals and eight assists for 28 points.

Peterson, a senior forward from Lino Lakes, Minn. (Forest Lake H.S.), ranked third in the league with 43 points and nine assists, while placing fourth with 17 goals.

Rivard, a sophomore goalkeeper from Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata H.S.), set a conference single-season record with a 0.19 goals against average and also led the league with a .941 save percentage.

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Wheaton Ends UW-Eau Claire’s Women’s Soccer Season…Again

RELEASED: Saturday, November 18, 2006

Wheaton, Ill.--For the second year in a row, Wheaton College (Ill.) ended UW-Eau Claire's women's soccer season.

The Thunder recorded a 2-0 triumph over the Blugolds in a NCAA Division III sectional semifinal game on Nov. 17.

Wheaton (21-2), which won the 2004 NCAA Division III national championship, defeated the Blugolds, 2-1, in overtime in last year’s NCAA second round confrontation.

This win propelled Wheaton into Saturday’s Elite Eight match against unbeaten Hardin-Simmons (Texas) (19-0-4), which advanced past UC-Santa Cruz in a shootout by a 4-1 margin.

The Blugolds had notched eight straight shutouts coming into the contest against Wheaton and Blugold goalie Allie Rivard had allowed just one goal in 1302 minutes between the pipes this year and that goal came on a penalty kick.

Wheaton’s Bethany Barton put the hosts on the scoreboard with a penalty kick in the 11th minute of the contest. The goal would stand up until the final 25 seconds of the contest when Taryne Lee buried a shot off a corner kick for the final 2-0 margin.

Wheaton outshot the Blugolds by a 19-7 margin and Thunder goalie Kristin Eggert made four saves while Rivard had six.

The loss ended UW-Eau Claire’s most successful season ever after finishing with a 23-3 record, losing all three of their matches on shutouts. The Blugolds set a school record with 18 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals.

The Blugolds have yet to beat Wheaton in seven meetings dating back to 1995.

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UW-Eau Claire Moves on to NCAA Women’s Soccer Sectionals

RELEASED: Monday, November 13, 2006

River Falls, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire moved on to the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Sectionals with a 4-0 triumph over Augustana College (Ill.) at Ramer Field on Nov. 12.

This is the farthest any UW-Eau Claire team has advanced in the championships. Last year’s team had made it to the second round before losing 2-1 to Wheaton College (Ill.) in overtime.

UW-Eau Claire (23-2) will face Wheaton College (Ill.) in a sectional matchup, which will be hosted by Wheaton.

Maria Iaizzo’s three-goal performance led the Blugolds in the victory over Augustana. She started the scoring 5:25 into the match for the 16th-ranked Blugolds on assists from Liz Kooistra and Emily Meisinger. At 27:44 Kooistra again hooked up for a score, this time to Amy Smith to put UW-Eau Claire on top 2-0 heading into halftime.

The Blugolds put up 12 shots in the half with the Vikings managing one against a stingy UW-Eau Claire defense that has not allowed a goal in eight matches (720 minutes). Augustana’s Keri Hess made six saves on the 12 shots, while Allie Rivard saw no action in the Blugold goal.

Iaizzo registered her second goal of the match at 61:03 with Meisinger adding another assist. The one that completed the hat trick found the net at 73:08 off a pass from Smith.

UW-Eau Claire outshot the Vikings 17-5. Hess made seven saves and the only Blugold save was recorded by Liz Weirick, who came into goal the last 23:04.

Augustana finished the season with a 15-3-3 mark.

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UW-Eau Claire Advances to NCAA Women’s Soccer Second Round

RELEASED: Saturday, November 11, 2006

River Falls, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Concordia College-Moorhead (Minn.) at UW-River Falls’ Ramer Field on Nov. 11.

The match was originally scheduled to be held at Bollinger Fields in Eau Claire, but a heavy, wet snowfall hit the Eau Claire area and made the fields unplayable.

This marks the second straight season that the Blugolds have advanced to the second round of the national tournament. UW-Eau Claire will face Augustana College (Ill.) in this year’s second round matchup at Ramer Field on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. Augustana (15-2-3) won its first round match over Grinnell College (Iowa) 2-1.

A scoreless first half saw the Cobbers (12-6-3) outshoot 16th-ranked UW-Eau Claire (22-2-0), 5-4, with Allie Rivard making four saves. Concordia’s Britt Reiersgord did not have to stop any shots. The Blugolds committed seven fouls in the half compared to one for the Cobbers, but neither team could capitalize on any opportunities and went into halftime with a scoreless match.

The evenly-contested second half saw seven shots for both sides with the first one finding net at 60:40. Emily Meisinger drove to the goal to put up a shot when Cobbers goalkeeper Reiersgord tripped her, drawing a red card and a removal from the game. With Ashley Liegakos replacing Reiersgord between the Cobber posts, Meisinger attempted her penalty kick. An outstretched Liegakos knocked the ball down, but Meisinger went in for the rebound and put the ball in the net for the first score of the match.

UW-Eau Claire added another goal at the 81:15 mark when Anna Talbot sent in an unassisted shot straight out from the goal at the top of the box. Liegakos had no chance as the ball sailed in just under the crossbar.

For the match, the Cobbers outshot the Blugolds 12-11. Rivard made four saves in each half, while the three Cobber saves were all attributed to Liegakos in the second half. UW-Eau Claire was whistled for 12 fouls, while Concordia had four.

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Loras Spoils UW-Oshkosh’s Women’s Soccer NCAA Postseason Debut

RELEASED: Thursday, November 9, 2006

Oshkosh, Wis.--The first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the UW-Oshkosh women's soccer team was a disappointing one as the Titans dropped a 1-0 decision to Loras College (Iowa) on Nov. 8 at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Oshkosh (12-7-2) out-shot Loras College (11-7-2) by an 18-4 count in the first round contest, but the DuHawks managed to pull out the victory thanks to a late second half goal.

Loras College, which advances to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fifth consecutive season, tallied its only goal when Alex Clesen took a pass from Katie Ryan and scored on a breakaway with 10:21 left in the match. Clesen's third goal of the year came on the DuHawks' lone shot of the second period.

UW-Oshkosh dominated the flow of play as it totaled six shots in the first half and 12 in the second. Erin Rickard led the Titans with four shots, while Maggie Hoffman and Cassie Loehr totaled three each.
Loras College, a first-time opponent of UW-Oshkosh, counted its four shots on two by Ryan and one by both Clesen and Holly Wilson.

UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Katie Bera allowed the lone Loras College goal and played the entire match without having to make a save.

Loras College goalkeeper Torey Murray stopped nine UW-Oshkosh shots, including six in the second half, to earn her ninth shutout of the season. She entered the match with a 0.71 goals against average.

UW-Oshkosh, which received one of the 22 at-large selections to this year's NCAA Division III Tournament, had its sixth 12-plus win season in the past seven years come to an end with its loss to Loras College.

Appearing in its sixth NCAA Division III Tournament, Loras College moves to a second round contest with Washington University (Mo.) on Saturday (Nov. 11) in St. Louis, Mo. Washington University, the sixth-ranked team in the NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, takes a 16-2 record into Saturday's match after receiving a bye in the first round.

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Six Secure Women’s Soccer Academic All-District Honors

RELEASED: Thursday, November 9, 2006

Madison, Wis.--Six Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women’s Soccer Team. UW-Stevens Point’s Meredith DeCaluwe was selected to the first team, while UW-River Falls’ Kim Saufl and UW-Eau Claire’s Emily Meisinger were second team selections. UW-Eau Claire’s Jessica Millard, Abby Ofstedahl and Anna Talbot received third team status.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

DeCaluwe, a senior from Naperville, Ill. (Central H.S.), secured academic all-district honors for the second straight season after receiving second team honors a year ago. She boasts a 3.99 grade point average and is majoring in mathematics and secondary education. DeCaluwe claimed All-WIAC first team status this season after ranking second in the conference with six shutouts and fourth with a 1.02 goals against average.

She is eligible for the Academic All-America team which will be announced on Nov. 21.

Meisinger, a senior from Green Bay, Wis. (Notre Dame Academy H.S.), maintains a 3.43 grade point average, while majoring in accounting/finance. She claimed the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete Award this season. Meisinger is a three-time All-WIAC selection and currently ranks seventh in the league with seven assists and ninth with 23 points.

Saufl, a senior from Champlin, Minn., is majoring in accounting and business administration and carries a 3.80 grade point average. She is sixth in the league with 10 goals and seventh with seven assists.

Millard, sophomore from Madison, Wis. (La Follette H.S.), boasts a 4.00 grade point average and is majoring in finance. She has scored two goals and added six assists for 10 points this season.

Ofstedahl, a junior from Apple Valley, Minn. (Eastview H.S.), is majoring in economics with a 3.78 grade point average, while Talbot, a junior from Apple Valley, Minn. (Eastview H.S.), carries a 3.75 grade point average and is majoring in communication disorders. Ofstedahl and Talbot contribute to a Blugold defense that has posted a conference-record 16 shutouts and tops the WIAC with a 0.34 goals against average.

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UW-Eau Claire’s Iaizzo Tops All-WIAC Women’s Soccer Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Maria Iaizzo was selected the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year to top the 22 individuals named to the All-WIAC Women’s Soccer Team by the league coaches.

Iaizzo helped UW-Eau Claire to its second straight WIAC regular season and tournament titles and a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament. She leads the conference with eight game-winning goals and ranks second with 10 assists and fourth with 40 points and 15 goals. Iaizzo had a season-high three goals against UW-Whitewater on Sept. 23 and has registered at least one point in 17 of 23 matches played.

She becomes the first player in school history to win the women’s soccer player of the year honor. In her career at UW-Eau Claire, Iaizzo has compiled 27 goals and 13 assists for 67 points.

Joining Iaizzo on the All-WIAC squad were teammates Emily Meisinger, Liz Kooistra, Amy Smith, Allie Rivard, Becky Westbrock and Allison Smith. The seven All-WIAC selections for UW-Eau Claire are the most by any team since the 2001 campaign when UW-Stevens Point had seven honorees.

Meisinger secured All-WIAC status for the third time in her career after ranking seventh in the league with seven assists and ninth with 23 points. She has also added eight goals.

Kooistra, a two-time All-WIAC choice, is sixth in the conference with 10 goals and eighth with 24 points. She has chipped in four assists and tallied four game-winning goals.

Amy Smith ranks fourth in the WIAC with eight assists and sixth with 28 points and 10 goals. She has produced five game-winning goals.

Rivard leads the conference with a 0.08 goals against average and .971 save percentage. Her .08 goals against average is on pace to break the conference single-season mark of 0.23 set by UW-Stevens Point’s Abby Rabinovitz in 2000.

Westbrock and Allison Smith lead a Blugold defense that has posted a school-record 16 shutouts and tops the WIAC with a 0.34 goals against average. Westbrock is a three-time All-WIAC pick who has one goal and three assists for five points, while Smith is a two-time selection who has added three assists for three points.

UW-Stevens Point’s five selections are the most for the program since the 2002 campaign when they also had five honorees. Kaylee Weise leads this year’s group after topping the WIAC with 53 points, 20 goals and 13 assists. Her 53 points are the sixth-highest total in league history, while the 20 goals rank ninth on the single-season list.

Amanda Prawat earned All-WIAC recognition for the second straight year after ranking second in the league with 18 goals and third with 42 points. She also contributed six assists. Prawat registered a school single-match record with five goals against UW-Stout on Oct. 21. It was just the fourth time in conference history that an individual has registered five goals in a match.

Liz Kidd compiled six goals and two assists for 14 points, while Megan Schmidt tallied one goal and two assists for four points. Schmidt helped the Pointer defense place second in the league with a 0.87 goals against average and nine shutouts.

Meredith DeCaluwe ranks second in the WIAC with six shutouts, fourth with a 1.02 goals against average and eighth with 2.89 saves per game.

UW-River Falls had four individuals secure All-WIAC honors for the second straight season. Ashley Peterson is the first player in school history to claim All-WIAC status four consecutive years. She ranks second in the WIAC with 43 points and third with 17 goals and nine assists. Peterson is third on the school’s all-time list with 37 goals and 25 assists.

Amy Jensen secured all-WIAC recognition for the third consecutive season after placing fourth in the league with eight assists. She added five goals and 18 points to rank third on the squad in both categories.

Kim Saufl is sixth in the association with 10 goals and seventh with seven assists, while Julie Sperstad led a Falcon defense that posted seven shutouts and a 1.23 goals against average. Sperstad also contributed two goals and four assists for eight points.

Michelle John and Dana Gudel helped UW-Oshkosh post a 12-6-2 record and earn the program’s first NCAA tournament bid. John is a three-time All-WIAC selection after ranking seventh in the league with seven assists. She places second on the team with 15 points and has contributed four goals.

Gudel spearheads a Titan defense that ranks fourth in the WIAC with a 1.03 goals against average and has produced seven shutouts. She has added two goals and one assist for five points.

UW-La Crosse’s Amy Todd secured All-WIAC honors for the second straight year after compiling a team-leading 17 points and seven goals, while contributing three assists. She ranks fifth in the conference with four game-winning goals.

Hope Huston helped UW-Platteville accumulate a school-record 12 victories and led a defense that ranks third in the WIAC with a 1.02 goals against average.

UW-Stout’s Al Smith aided a Blue Devil defense that recorded four shutouts. She also added one goal, a game-winning effort against Milwaukee School of Engineering on Oct. 10.

Mary Donohoo led UW-Whitewater with 15 points and seven goals.

UW-Eau Claire head coach Sean Yengo was voted the Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, becoming the third coach in league history to accomplish the feat. UW-Stevens Point’s Sheila Miech won the award in 2000 and 2001, while UW-River Falls’ Sean McKuras was recognized in 2002 and 2003.

Yengo has directed the squad to a school-record 21 victories, the WIAC regular season title, the WIAC tournament crown and a spot in the NCAA tournament. Yengo is in his 10th year with the Blugolds and has accumulated a 132-60-15 record. His 132 victories rank second on the conference’s all-time list.

2006 All-WIAC Women’s Soccer Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Meredith DeCaluwe, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Goalkeeper, Naperville, Ill. (Central)
Mary Donohoo, UW-Whitewater, Sophomore, Midfielder, Wauwatosa (West)
Dana Gudel, UW-Oshkosh, Junior, Defender, Middleton
Hope Huston, UW-Platteville, Freshman, Defender, Bettendorf, Iowa (Pleasant Valley)
Maria Iaizzo, UW-Eau Claire, Senior, Forward, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Amy Jensen, UW-River Falls, Senior, Midfielder, Plymouth, Minn. (Bloomington Kennedy)
Michelle John, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Midfielder, Whitefish Bay
Liz Kidd, UW-Stevens Point, Junior, Midfielder, Shorewood
Liz Kooistra, UW-Eau Claire, Sophomore, Midfielder, Lakeville, Minn.
Emily Meisinger, UW-Eau Claire, Senior, Midfielder, Green Bay (Notre Dame Academy)
Ashley Peterson, UW-River Falls, Senior, Forward, Lino Lakes, Minn. (Forest Lake)
Amanda Prawat, UW-Stevens Point, Sophomore, Forward, Oregon
Allie Rivard, UW-Eau Claire, Sophomore, Goalkeeper, Plymouth, Minn. (Wayzata)
Kim Saufl, UW-River Falls, Senior, Forward, Champlin, Minn.
Megan Schmidt, UW-Stevens Point, Junior, Defender, Hartland (Arrowhead)
Al Smith, UW-Stout, Senior, Defender, Chippewa Falls
Allison Smith, UW-Eau Claire, Sophomore, Defender, Bloomington, Minn. (Jefferson)
Amy Smith, UW-Eau Claire, Sophomore, Forward, Bloomington, Minn. (Jefferson)
Julie Sperstad, UW-River Falls, Junior, Defender, Eau Claire (Memorial)
Amy Todd, UW-La Crosse, Sophomore, Midfielder, Hartland (Arrowhead)
Becky Westbrock, UW-Eau Claire, Senior, Defender, Oakdale, Minn. (North St. Paul)
Kaylee Weise, UW-Stevens Point, Sophomore, Forward, Brookfield (East)

Player of the Year: Maria Iaizzo of UW-Eau Claire
Coach of the Year: Sean Yengo of UW-Eau Claire
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Emily Meisinger of UW-Eau Claire

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UW-Eau Claire’s Meisinger Receives Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete Award

RELEASED: Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Emily Meisinger has been named the recipient of the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete Award.

Meisinger, a senior from Green Bay, Wis. (Notre Dame Academy H.S.), is majoring in accounting/finance and carries a 3.43 grade point average. She was recently named to the 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five Women’s Soccer Second Team. Meisinger is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been named to the Dean’s List and received Academic Distinction from her institution.

She is a three-time All-WIAC selection and served as a team captain the last three years for a squad that has won back-to-back conference titles and made consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Meisinger was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Central Region Third Team a season ago when she also earned her team’s Most Valuable Player award.

She is a member of the Student Accounting Society and works at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center.

Meisinger becomes the fourth individual from UW-Eau Claire to claim the league’s scholar-athlete award, joining Carrie Seipp (1996), Tracy Roever (1997) and Sarah Pierringer (2001).

Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire’s Aimee Bretl, UW-La Crosse’s Jennifer Watry, UW-Oshkosh’s Michelle John, UW-Platteville’s Stephanie Lund, UW-River Falls’ Amy Jensen and Kim Saufl, UW-Stevens Point’s Meredith DeCaluwe and Abigail Kirchdoerfer, UW-Stout’s Al Smith and UW-Whitewater’s Stefanie Tremaine.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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UW-Eau Claire’s Yengo Named Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s soccer head coach Sean Yengo has been named the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Coach of Year, which was determined by a vote among the league coaches.

This marks the second consecutive season Yengo has won the award and he becomes the third coach in league history to accomplish the feat. UW-Stevens Point’s Sheila Miech won the award in 2000 and 2001, while UW-River Falls’ Sean McKuras was recognized in 2002 and 2003.

Yengo has directed the squad to a school-record 21 victories, the WIAC regular season title, the WIAC tournament crown and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Yengo is in his 10th year with the Blugolds and has accumulated a 132-60-15 record. His 132 victories rank second on the conference’s all-time list.

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UW-Eau Claire and UW-Oshkosh Receive NCAA Women’s Soccer Bids

RELEASED: Monday, November 6, 2006

Madison, Wis.--For the first time in history, two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s soccer teams will participate in the NCAA Division III Tournament as UW-Eau Claire and UW-Oshkosh received bids into the 60-team championship field.

UW-Eau Claire (21-2-0) is making its second straight appearance in the national tournament and second showing in school history. The Blugolds received the conference’s automatic bid into the national tournament by winning the league tournament with a 3-0 victory over UW-Oshkosh. UW-Eau Claire also secured the WIAC regular season crown after finishing with a 8-0-0 mark.

The Blugolds will host a four-team first and second tournament Nov. 11-12 at Bollinger Fields. UW-Eau Claire will open the tournament against Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent Concordia College-Moorhead (Minn.) (12-5-3), which won the MIAC regular-season title and its tournament championship in a shootout. The other two participants will be Augustana College (Ill.) (14-2-3) and Grinnell College (Iowa) (15-2-1).

UW-Eau Claire will open the tournament at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 against Concordia with Augustana and Grinnell squaring off at 2 p.m. The second round game is slated for 1 p.m. on Nov. 12.

UW-Oshkosh (12-6-2) is appearing in the tournament for the first time in school history after earning one of 19 at-large bids into the event and will host Loras College (Iowa) (10-7-2) in a first round contest Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. Loras won the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament crown in a shootout.

The UW-Oshkosh/Loras winner will face Washington University (Mo.) (16-2-0) in a second round contest Nov. 11.

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UW-Eau Claire Wins Women’s Soccer Tournament Title

RELEASED: Saturday, November 4, 2006

Eau Claire, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire won its second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s soccer tournament title with a 3-0 victory over UW-Oshkosh at Bollinger Fields on Nov. 4.

The conference tournament title for the Blugolds is the second in school history and gives them the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. The national tournament appearance for UW-Eau Claire will be the second in school history.

This marked the second consecutive year that the Blugolds and Titans matched up in the WIAC tournament title contest and the third straight season the Titans participated in the league finals.

Maria Iaizzo got the Blugolds on the board 12:05 into the contest with an educated right foot. Emily Meisinger provided the pass on Iaizzo’s team-leading 15th goal.

UW-Eau Claire went up 2-0 going into halftime after Liz Kooistra found net at 25:49 on an assist from Allison Smith.

The offensive tempo increased in the second half as UW-Oshkosh was credited with seven shots, while UW-Eau Claire attempted 12 shots. Kooistra scored her second goal of the match at 88:11 on an assist from Amy Smith to seal the victory.

The Blugolds’ Allie Rivard had four saves in the contest, while the Titans’ Katie Bera made eight stops.

UW-Eau Claire increased its record to 21-2-0 on the season, while UW-Oshkosh fell to 12-6-2.

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UW-Eau Claire Secures Second Straight Women's Soccer Title

RELEASED: Saturday, October 14, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire secured its second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's soccer title with a 3-1 victory over UW-Platteville at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium today.

The conference championship for UW-Eau Claire is the second in program history. The Blugolds entered the 2006 campaign as the preseason choice of the conference's sports information directors to win the league crown.

UW-Eau Claire owns a 7-0-0 mark in conference matches for 21 points and holds a six point advantage over UW-River Falls (5-1-0-15 points). UW-River Falls can claim a share of this year's title by winning its last two matches of the season. The Falcons host the Blugolds on Oct. 21 and UW-La Crosse on Oct. 28.

UW-Platteville became the first WIAC team to lead the Blugolds this season when Ashly Hamilton scored at 7:56 to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. It was only the second time this season the Blugolds trailed. It was also the first goal the Blugolds allowed against the Pioneers in the last nine contests.

The Blugolds would respond in the 19th minute when Maria Iaizzo scored her 12th goal of the season on header from Becky Westbrock to tie the match 1-1 heading into the halftime break.

UW-Eau Claire struck just three minutes into the second half when Liz Kooistra stole the ball from the Pioneers and put the ball past the goalkeeper to give the Blugolds a 2-1 lead. The Blugolds sealed the match in the 63rd minute when Kooistra scored her second goal of the contest on a header from Iaizzo to make the score 3-1.

The Blugolds had 25 shots in the match, while the Pioneers registered four shots. The Blugolds are now 18-0 all-time against the Pioneers.

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UW-Eau Claire Tabbed Women's Soccer Preseason Favorite

RELEASED: Monday, August 28, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the defending conference champion, is projected to win the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's soccer championship, according to the league's sports information directors.

The Blugolds, who received six first-place votes in the conference's preseason poll, won the first women's soccer title in school history last season, made the program's first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament (advancing to the second round) and posted the fourth-highest victory total in school chronicles with 15 wins.

UW-Eau Claire is ranked No. 19 nationally in a preseason poll conducted by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, while placing No. 24 in the inaugural D3kicks.com poll. Seven of the Blugolds' 16 returning letterwinners were freshmen last year, including goalkeeper Allie Rivard, who led the conference with a 0.56 goals against average - a mark that ranks sixth on the WIAC single season list.

UW-Oshkosh collected two first-place votes in the conference poll and is pegged to finish second in the nine-team league derby. The Titans received votes in the D3kicks.com preseason rankings and have recorded two second and three third-place finishes in the league race in the past five years. UW-Oshkosh ended the 2005 season by winning 11 of its last 14 matches and returns 34 of its 49 goals scored a year ago. The Titans have registered a 42-15-6 record (16-4-4 WIAC) the past three seasons and have allowed just 53 goals in those contests.

UW-Stevens Point received the remaining first-place vote and is expected to place third in the conference ledger. The Pointers have secured 12 conference titles (1992-95, 97-04) in school history and compiled 18 straight winning seasons, marking the fifth longest current streak in NCAA Division III. UW-Stevens Point is 129-6-6 all-time against WIAC opponents (including regular season and tournament) and had its string of eight straight NCAA tournament appearances and conference tournament titles snapped last season. Head coach Sheila Miech ranks sixth among active NCAA Division III coaches with 273 career wins.

UW-River Falls allowed a team all-time low 13 goals in 2005 and returns players who scored 29 of the team's 39 goals (75 percent) last season. The Falcons have registered a 44-4-1 home record during head coach Sean McKuras' four seasons. McKuras is the winningest coach in program history with 54 wins.

UW-Stout welcomes Meagan Frank as its' head coach for the 2006 campaign. She played at NCAA Division I Colorado College from 1993-96 and served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Tigers in 1999. Frank inherits a program that has posted 10 or more victories each of the last three years. UW-Stout was the top defensive team in the league a year ago, allowing 0.57 goals per contest.

UW-La Crosse returns individuals that accounted for 26 of the team's 31 goals from last season, including Sarah Harrington who led the squad with 11 goals and 22 points. The Eagles play their first six matches of the season at home. Head coach Sara Burton is tied with UW-Eau Claire's Sean Yengo for second place on the conference's all-time win chart with 111 victories.

UW-Whitewater's Lindsey Kohlbeck tied for the league scoring title last year with 29 points, which ranks sixth on the school's single season chart. Head coach Greg Henschel is school's all-time winningest coach with 62 victories and has guided the men's program to five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.

UW-Platteville compiled the most wins in school history during the 2005 campaign and registered the first winning season in the program's 14-year history. The Pioneers allowed 16 goals last season (0.84 per game), cutting the school record by 16 goals. UW-Platteville has set 29 school records in the past two seasons.

UW-Superior established a school record in victories a year ago and has gone unbeaten (16-0-5) in non-conference matches the last two seasons. The Yellowjackets return Whitney Sengthao, who tied for the WIAC scoring title in 2005 with 29 points and Hiromi Ikeuchi who tied for the league led with 10 assists.

2006 Preseason Predictions (Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors)

Rank, School, 2005 Record
1. (6) UW-Eau Claire (6-0-2, 15-3-5)
2. (2) UW-Oshkosh (6-1-1, 13-6-1)
3. (1) UW-Stevens Point (4-2-2, 8-7-2)
4. UW-River Falls (3-3-2, 12-4-3)
5. UW-Stout (4-1-3, 10-3-5)
6. UW-La Crosse (3-3-2, 9-7-2)
7. UW-Whitewater (2-6-0, 8-9-0)
8. UW-Platteville (2-6-0, 9-7-3)
9. UW-Superior (0-8-0, 10-8-1)

( )-First-place votes

Team Vitals
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Sean Yengo; 10th season;
111-58-15 record at UWEC / 111-58-15 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 16/8
Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Returning All-WIAC: Liz Kooistra, So., F (2005-First); Emily Meisinger, Sr., M (2005-First, 2004-First); Allison Smith, So., D (2005-First); Becky Westbrock, Sr., D (2005-First, 2004-First)

UW-La Crosse
Head Coach: Sara Burton; 13th season;
111-86-14 record at UWL / 111-86-14 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/8
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/7
Returning All-WIAC: Mandy Rue, Sr., F
(2004-First); Amy Todd, So., M (2005-First)

UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach: Erin Leinweber; 7th season;
28-10-4 record at UWO / 52-55-7 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/10
Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
Returning All-WIAC: Michelle John, Sr., M (2005-First, 2004-First); Amanda Matzke, So., M (2005-First)

UW-Platteville
Head Coach: Chris Bianchi; 4th season;
19-35-3 record at UWP / 19-35-3 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Returning All-WIAC: Lindsay Kowaleski, Jr., D
(2005-First); Laurie Trifone, Jr., GK (2005-First)

UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Sean McKuras; 5th season;
54-18-6 record at UWRF / 54-18-6 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Returning All-WIAC: Amy Jensen, Sr., M (2005-First, 2004-First); Ashley Peterson, Sr., D (2005-First, 2004-First, 2003-First)

UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Sheila Miech; 20th season;
273-90-24 record at UWSP / 273-90-24 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Returning All-WIAC: Amanda Prawatt, So., F (2005-First); Kimie Wiepz, Jr., M (2005-First)

UW-Stout
Head Coach: Meagan Frank; 1st season;
0-0-0 record at UWS / 0-0-0 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 28/9
Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3
Returning All-WIAC: Michelle Lizotte, Jr., F (2005-First)

UW-Superior
Head Coach: Chris Perez; 8th season;
23-61-7 record at UWS / 39-83-11 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Returning All-WIAC: None

UW-Whitewater
Head Coach: Greg Henschel; 7th season;
62-42-7 record at UWW / 62-42-7 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 25/8
Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
Returning All-WIAC: Lindsey Kohlbeck, Sr., F (2005-First)

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Frank to Head Up UW-Stout's Women's Soccer Program

RELEASED: Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Menomonie, Wis.--For University of Wisconsin-Stout's first two women's soccer coaches, the Blue Devils looked to the east. This time around, the Blue Devils looked to the west to find their coach.

Meagan (McGuire) Frank has been named to replace Dave Morris, who took a position as assistant women's coach at UW-Green Bay. Frank played and coached at NCAA Division I Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I am really excited about the opportunities we have here," Frank said. "We hope to build on the positive things accomplished over the last two seasons."

Frank was an offensive center midfielder for the Tigers from 1993-96 and is currently 11th on the Colorado College career scoring list with 50 points on 18 goals and 14 assists. She is currently 10th on the all-time goals list and ninth in assists. A two-time all-academic team member, Frank was a team captain in 1996, her senior year, and was also the team most valuable player.

Frank was a volunteer assistant coach for the Tigers in 1999. She has coached several youth soccer teams in Englewood, Colo., including the Colorado Storm U-17 premier team, and the Cherry Creek Lightning U-16 premier team. She was an assistant coach at Harrison High School in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I am looking forward to motivate them and bring them to the level as high as they can go," Frank said. "I want to keep them focused, driven and unified as a team."

As a youth player, Frank was a team member of the Colorado Olympic Development team.

Frank earned her undergraduate degree in English and taught English for three years at Cheyenne Mountain High School.

She currently lives in Menomonie with her husband Paul, a Blue Devil assistant hockey coach, and their three children, Nate, Haley and Kiana.

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UW-Stout's Morris Moving on to Division I UW-Green Bay

RELEASED: Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Menomonie, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout women's soccer coach Dave Morris has resigned his position to accept a position as an assistant soccer coach with the women's program at NCAA Division I UW-Green Bay.

Morris, UW-Stout's second women's soccer coach, compiled a 68-48-12 overall record over seven seasons, has led the Blue Devils to four 10-win seasons, including back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2004 and 2005.

"This is an opportunity to be part of a strong soccer community and help grow the game of soccer while allowing me to develop and stay fresh professionally," Morris said. "UW-Green Bay is a vibrant school and offers a lot of opportunities for its student-athletes."

Morris came to UW-Stout in 1999, finishing third last season in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and second in 2004. Morris assembled a 25-19-8 WIAC record.

Morris was also an instructor in the physical education department and was the adviser to the coaching minor program.

A replacement is expected to be named soon.

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