Nov. 17, 2000
By Student Assistant: Brandon Kieper
Truman Women's Soccer Team Completes 2000 Campaign
The Truman State University women's soccer program spent the last half of the 1990's challenging for bids to the NCAA Division II postseason tournament. The Bulldogs last went to the big dance in 1997, but came close in '99, putting together a 14-4-1 record that featured a 12-game unbeaten streak, but were passed over when tournament bids were given out in the Central Region. With 12 letterwinners, including nine all-conference honorees, returning, 2000 looked to be the year the 'Dogs would make their return to the Division II championship festivities.
Those ideas were quickly put on hold as the season began with an inauspicious trip to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Truman was scored upon just 35 seconds into the season-opener at Mankato State University. The Bulldogs battled back and took the lead by halftime with goals from junior midfielder Melissa Miller (Olathe, Kan./South) and junior transfer Molly Adams (Omaha, Neb./Marion-Tulsa), but the Mavericks got the equalizer midway through the second period. The 'Dogs were unable to muster a single shot on goal through 16 minutes of overtime before MSU's Amanda Burrows scored the golden goal. Things got worse the next day at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, as Truman managed only two shots the entire contest in a 3-0 defeat.
The 0-2 Bulldogs headed home to host the Truman Classic, and the return to the 'Ville proved to be just the remedy for the ailing team. Truman picked up the year's first victory 2-1 over the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday, then evened their mark with a 1-0 overtime whitewash of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Miller and Adams notched their respective seconds goals of the season against UMSL, while senior midfielder Niki Taylor (Crestwood, Mo./Lindbergh) got the game-winner against SIUE.
The 'Dogs hit the road again for the third weekend, traveling to Omaha for the Ramada Inn Classic. Truman struggled against the University of Nebraska-Omaha, falling 2-0, but battled back the next day against Northern Colorado, winning 3-2 in overtime. Freshman midfielder/forward Stephanie Cepicky (St. Louis/Lindbergh) netted her first two goals as a Bulldog, including the game winner.
The next weekend saw a return to Minnesota, this time for an encounter with Winona State University (Minn.). Cepicky scored again, and sophomore midfielder/forward Anna Smith (Jefferson City, Mo.) netted her first of the season to help Truman break the Minnesota jinx with a 2-0 win. The 'Dogs followed up with another shutout, this time 1-0 at North Dakota State University. Star senior defender Meredith Hartle (Mehlville, Mo.) got the game-winner, her first goal since 1997.
The Bulldogs began the defense of their MIAA title on Sept. 28 with a home match against Northwest Missouri State. The 'Dogs picked up right where they left off in the conference, spanking the Bearcats 7-0. Truman stayed hot with three more home wins the next week. Five different 'Dogs scored in a 5-0 pounding of Quincy University (Ill.), Cepicky scored the lone goal in a shutout of Rockhurst University, and sophomore forward Jessica Pohren (Omaha, Neb.) netted the winner in a 2-0 victory over St. Joseph's College (Ind.).
The Bulldogs took a one-game vacation from the friendly confines of the Truman Soccer Park on Oct. 15 for a trip to Southern Indiana University-Evansville. The 'Dogs ran their winning streak to eight with a 2-0 decision over the Screaming Eagles, with Cepicky and sophomore midfielder Heather Murray (St. Charles, Mo./West) scoring the goals. Then it was back home for more conference action, this time against Missouri Southern State College and the University of Missouri-Rolla. Truman took care of MSSC 3-0, then outlasted UMR, 1-0. Cepicky scored in each contest to push her team lead to seven goals. The 'Dogs had now won 10 straight and junior goalkeeper Emily Huyck (Omaha, Neb./Westside) had recorded the last nine of those by virtue of the shutout.
On the final weekend in October, the Bulldogs faced their toughest test of the season. The 'Dogs had risen to No. 4 in the Central region poll and knew they would need a win over top-ranked Northern Kentucky University to earn an invitation to the NCAA tournament. The Norse came to Kirksville to take part in the Gardner Classic, but before those two could tangle on Sunday, each team also had another opponent to contend with on Saturday. NKU took care of Central Missouri State University 2-0 in the tourney's first match, and the Bulldogs followed suit with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the University of Indianapolis. The stage was set for a Sunday showdown.
The Norse came out swinging in the first period, but it was the Bulldogs who would be stung by the consequences of rough play. Just three minutes into the match, junior midfielder Kelli Best (Urbandale, Iowa) was called for a penalty in the Truman box. NKU converted the penalty kick to jump on top, and added another score midway through the period to take a 2-0 lead into the half. The Bulldogs refused to go quietly to the region's top team, however, as Pohren and junior defender Nicole Thorpe (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) each scored in the first six minutes of the second period to level the scoreboard. Truman maintained the offensive pressure for the duration of the game, but it was NKU's Bessie Black scoring the winning goal in the 66th minute. The Norse escaped Kirksville with a 16-1-2 record, and the 'Dogs winning streak.
Despite the loss, there was still a conference championship to be defended. On Nov. 1, the Bulldogs did just that, traveling to Central Missouri State University and claiming a 2-0 victory behind goals from Miller and Thorpe. A win over Southwest Baptist was all that stood between Truman and a second MIAA title, and the Bearcats were no match for the Bulldog offense, which launched 27 shots in 4-0 win.
The 2000 Bulldogs were a study in defensive consistency and balanced offense. Huyck did not allow a goal for over a month, beginning with the blanking of Winona on Sept. 23. The 10 consecutive shutouts broke her own school record of nine, set last season. Huyck played every one of the 'Dogs' 1,747 minutes in 2000, allowing only 14 goals while making 100 saves and posting a stellar goals against average of 0.72.
Fourteen players scored goals for Truman throughout the course of the season, and 16 recorded at least one point. Cepicky's seven goals and Miller's 18 points paced the squad. Taylor contributed 14 points, while Murray and Pohren rounded out the top five by chipping in 10 points apiece. Overall, Truman outscored opponents 41-14 over the 19-game schedule.
Postseason MIAA honors rained down heavy upon the repeat champions. The Bulldogs' defensive mastery was recognized as Hartle was named the conference's most valuable player, and was joined by Huyck as a unanimous first-team all-conference selections. Other 'Dogs receiving first-team accolades were Miller, Thorpe and Adams. Cepicky and Smith were named to the second team. All-conference honorable mention went to freshman sweeper Beth Weiman (St. Louis/Rosati-Kahn), along with Pohren, Taylor, sophomore defender Karla Danekas (Naperville, Ill./Central), Best and junior midfielder Missy Ell (O'Fallon, Mo./St. Dominic).
Mike Cannon was named MIAA co-coach of the year, his second conference coaching honor.
Huyck was named to the all-Central Region second team by the NSCAA.
The Bulldogs bid farewell to three seniors with the close of the 2000 campaign. Hartle, Taylor and forward/midfielder Brooke Stephens (Clayton, Mo.) have made their final appearances in a Truman uniform.
At 15-4-1, Truman put together its seventh consecutive winning season in 2000. The 15 wins ties the most ever for a Bulldog team, a mark set in the tournament campaign of '97. The 'Dogs 11 straight wins in mid-season broke the team record of nine.
Coach Cannon continues to extend his mark as the winningest coach in team history. Cannon is now 91-44-13 over his eight seasons for a winning percentage of .659. He is ranked in the top 20 of active Division II coaches in career wins and winning percentage.
The Truman women's soccer program is now 17 years into its existence. The Bulldogs have posted a 144-117-23 record over that span, for an all-time winning percentage of .548.