August 31, 2010
Full Notes (PDF)
(KIRKSVILLE) – The 2010 season gets underway this weekend for the 24th-ranked Truman women’s soccer squad, as the Bulldogs take care of both non-conference games on the schedule at the Broncho Invitational on the University of Central Oklahoma campus. The Bulldogs face Midwestern (Texas) State on Friday, Sept. 3, at 2 pm before bouncing back to take on the host UCO Bronchos at 2 pm on Sunday, Sept. 5.
To capture a 10th MIAA title in 12 seasons, as predicted in the 2010 MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, head coach Mike Cannon will have to rely on an abundance of young talent to mesh seamlessly – and quickly – with six starters and four all-MIAA performers returning from an ’09 squad that reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Last season’s breakout forward, sophomore Olivia Hayes, returns this season after leading the ’Dogs with 12 goals en route to MIAA Freshman of the Year accolades in 2009. Two other top offensive threats out of the midfield – junior Megan Buri and sophomore Kelsey Twellman - also return following MIAA honors last year.
In goal, junior Jayne Grisham brings more than 2,200 minutes of experience back following an MIAA-best ten shutout effort in 2009.
This week marks the squad’s only two non-conference matches in 2010, as the Bulldogs had to adjust to the NCAA’s cut from 20 contests to 18 starting this year. Sixteen MIAA matches then await as part of a grueling schedule, starting next Thursday in front of the home faithful against northwest Missouri.
Following the Team:
Bulldog box scores and match recaps will be available immediately following each match on Truman’s Web site: http://www.trumanbulldogs.com.
Live stats for the weekend will be unavailable.
Bulldog Coaching Staff:
Mike Cannon is in his 18th season as the program’s head coach, having compiled a 231-80-30 (.721) overall record at Truman. He has guided the purple and white to nine (of 11) MIAA championships and has reached the NCAA tournament eight times.
He is assisted this season by Katie Reuck, who shifts from the field to the sideline after scoring 20 goals in three seasons as part of the Bulldog attack. She was an all-American following the 2009 season.
Scouting the Opposition:
Midwestern State “Mustangs” (13-5-2, 6-4 Lone Star Conference)
- Top Returning Offense: Kelsey Hill (8 goals, 25 SOG)
- Top Returning Goalkeeper: Mallory Whitworth (19 GP, 0.53 GAA, 53 saves)
- Head Coach: Jeff Trimble (12th season, 131-71-18 record)
- Quick notes:
- The Mustangs are picked to finish 3rd in the Lone Star Conference this season.
- The squad returns 16 letterwinners and six starters from last season’s squad.
- Kelsey Hill, the team’s top returner on offense, scored eight goals and took 51 total shots in 2009.
- Kendra Clemons, an NSCAA 2nd-team all-region defender, returns in 2010 after handing out four assists and helping MSU post 11 shutouts.
Central Oklahoma “Bronchos” (14-6-3, 7-3 Lone Star Conference)
- Top Returning Offense: Brittni Walker (8 goals, 20 SOG)
- Top Returning Goalkeeper: Samantha Rusk (5 GP, 1.88 GAA, 9 saves)
- Head Coach: Mike Cook (13th season at UCO, 188-60-15 record)
- Quick notes:
- The Bronchos are picked to finish 2nd, behind West Texas A&M, in the LSC this season.
- The squad returns 12 letterwinners from last year’s team that won the LSC tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
- UCO lost on PK’s to St. Edward’s, 5-4, after going scoreless for 110 minutes in the opening round of the NCAA tournament last season.
- Brittni Walker was the LSC Freshman of the Year after co-leading the Bronchos with eight goals in 2009.
Series Info:
Truman vs. Midwestern State (Truman leads all-time series, 1-0).
-Last meeting: Aug. 31, 2008 - Truman won, 2-0, in Warrensburg, Mo.
Truman vs. Central Oklahoma (all-time series tied, 1-1-1).
-Last meeting: Sept. 6, 2009 - Teams tied, 1-1, in Kirksville.
Women Top MIAA Coaches Poll:
After capturing its ninth MIAA title in 2009, the Truman women’s soccer team was predicted to pick up title no. 10 in 2010 after garnering the top spot in the annual MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
The Bulldogs picked up six first-place votes (coaches could not vote for their own team) en route to 60 points, edging out Nebraska-Omaha and Central Missouri. UNO came in second with 56 points and one first-place vote, while Central Missouri picked up the remaining two first-place votes but landed one point back of UNO with 55.
Washburn (Kan.) (42 points) held a solid grip on fourth, with Missouri Western (31 points) winning a close race for fifth against northwest Missouri (29 points) and Southwest Baptist (Mo.) (28 points).
Missouri Southern (14 points) and Emporia (Kan.) State (9 points) rounded out the nine-team poll.
Fellow MIAA members Fort hays (Kan.) State, Lincoln (Mo.) and Pittsburg (Kan.) State do not compete in women’s soccer.
The Bulldogs have won nine of the 11 MIAA championships awarded since the conference began sponsoring the sport in 1999 and have posted 16 consecutive winning seasons – the seventh longest stretch in NCAA Div. II history.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will return to Kirksville to open up the MIAA season with home matches against northwest Missouri (Thurs., Sept. 9; 4:00 pm) and Nebraska-Omaha (Sat., Sept. 11; 12:00 pm).