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Women�s Soccer � Nov. 2, 2001
Pointers Use "Heady" Approach to Down
Unbeaten Webster
Wheaton, Ill. � Sometimes playing the game of soccer is as simple
as using your head.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point women�s soccer team
used that approach in more ways than one in ousting previously undefeated
Webster University of St. Louis 2-0 in the semifinals of the NCAA Division
III Central Regional Friday night.
The Pointers scored both goals on headers and played a smart
defensive match, holding the Gorlocks to four shot attempts the entire
match in the victory. UW-Stevens Point improved to 18-1 and will play
Saturday at 5 p.m. against either Wheaton (Ill.) or St. Thomas (Minn.) for
the regional title.
�The difference tonight was our speed,� said Pointers coach
Sheila Miech, whose team has now won 34 of its last 36 matches. �On
attack we were able to put great pressure on their defense, which gave us
a great attack in the final third (of the field).�
UW-Stevens Point had plenty of opportunities early in the match
before finally scoring with 15:56 left in the first half when Kelly Fink
sent a long cross to Mickey Jacob, who made a diving header off a long
sprint for her fifth goal of the season. Jacob had hit the crossbar with a
shot just two minutes into the match.
Webster had its best scoring opportunity of the match with three
minutes left in the first half when Mary Jo Clark broke free from the
defense and Pointers� goalie Brianna Hyslop made an outstanding save to
preserve a 1-0 halftime lead. It was one of just two saves for Hyslop as
the Pointers outshot the Gorlocks 24-4, including a 12-1 margin in the
second half. UW-Stevens Point also held a 14-0 advantage in corner kicks.
�I just wish we could have put this game away sooner,� Miech
said. �We had lots of opportunities and with a one goal lead a team can
come back anytime.�
The Pointers played their best soccer of the match in the final 15
minutes, inducing several scoring opportunities. They finally got their
second goal with 4:27 left in the match when Alyssa Souza sent in a cross that Molly Cady headed in
for her 13th goal of the year.
�(Webster) never stopped trying,� Miech said. �That�s what
made it a good game.�
It marked the second straight year that the Pointers defeated an
undefeated team in the NCAA tournament, having also eliminated Salisbury
State (Md.) in last year�s tournament. Webster ended its season 18-1-1
and suffered just its seventh loss in its three-year history of soccer.
�I�m very happy how we played,� Miech said. �I think our
tough schedule really helped us. Hopefully, we carry this into
Saturday�s match.�
Saturday, the Pointers may face Wheaton, which handed the Pointers
their only loss of the season with a 2-0 decision on Oct. 5. UW-Stevens
Point defeated the Thunder 1-0 in last year�s regional.
�It�s interesting we�re in the same situation as last
year,� Miech said. �The nice thing is we�ve played on this field so
much we�re getting a comfortable feeling here playing under the lights.
We feel like we didn�t play a great game against them the first time and
it�s kind of like unfinished business."
Score
by Halves 1-2-F
Webster
(Mo.)
0-0-0
UW-Stevens Point
1-1-2
Scoring
SP
� Mickey
Jacob (Kelly Fink), 29:04
SP � Molly Cady (Alyssa Souza), 85:33
Shots
on Goal � UWSP
24, Webster 4
Fouls
� Webster
10, UWSP 9
Goalie
Saves � Webster
8 (Tara Fortschneider), UWSP 2 (Brianna Hyslop)
Corner
Kicks � UWSP
14, Webster 0
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