The William Woods University women's soccer team opens the 2011 season under the lights of Firley Field tonight. WWU will host Avila University at 5 pm.
Weather pending, live stats and a VideoCast will be made available. To watch tonight's soccer match, visit the William Woods University page at the
Cube.com. When the broadcast begins, it will automatically appear on your screen.
To follow the stats on-line, visit the William Woods University page at
DakStats.com. Once you are at the site, click on the
(((W))) for live stats.
Avila University defeated William Woods 2-1 in their only meeting last season.
Kristen Pelley scored for the Owls in the loss. The Eagles lead the all-time series 4-2-2, and has won the last two meetings. WWU last defeated the Eagles 3-2 on October 21, 2007.
The Owls are coming off a 2010 season in which they finished in a tie for fourth place in the American Midwest Conference. The Owls went 8-9-2 overall and 4-5-1 in the AMC. Their season came to an end in the semifinals of the AMC postseason tournament with a loss at nationally ranked McKendree University.
Coach
Randy Hall begins his third season at the helm of the women's soccer program. His squad has shown steady improvement under his leadership. The team doubled its win total from the previous season and earned its first postseason victory since the 2008 season.
The Owls lost three players to graduation from the 2010 team, including
Katie Klingemann. Klingemann was an honorable mention All-AMC selection at the defender position. She recorded two goals and added three assists her senior year.
WWU does return 12 members from last year's team, including first team All-AMC defender selection
Kristen Pelley. Pelley, a senior from St. Peters, Mo., scored seven goals and started all 19 games for the Owls.
Three other Owls were selected to the honorable mention All-AMC team.
Kelsey Sanders, a senior forward from Jefferson City, Mo., led the Owls with eight goals. She added four assists.
Brittany Graue, a junior midfielder from St. Louis, Mo., added a goal and two assists for the Owls.
Caty Newbold, a senior defender from Jefferson City, Mo., scored one goal and had a team-high seven assists.
William Woods returns two goalkeepers from last season team.
Anna Hatfield, a junior from Desoto, Ill., started 14 games, recorded 84 saves and was a part of four shutouts.
Kelly Abernathy, a freshman from St. Charles, Mo., started three games, recorded 14 saves and was a part of two shutouts.
The Owls open with five straight home matches to start the season. AMC rival Park University is on the schedule twice, and is among others receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Poll.
