Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Kick Off 2003 in Big 12 Country
8/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 28, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - After three weeks in the heat and humidity of Chicago, the Northwestern women's soccer team finally gets to kick off the 2003 season by heading further into the Midwest. The Wildcats will open up the campaign by taking on a pair of Big 12 opponents, beginning Friday night with Kansas and concluding Sunday afternoon at Missouri.
With a bevy of veterans, Northwestern is looking to improve dramatically on its 4-9-5 record from a year ago. That mark came despite the fact NU outshot nine opponents.
Head coach Jenny Haigh weighed in just before the bus left for Lawrence on what she has seen in the first three weeks.
"I am really happy with how our preseason went," she said. "We made a lot of progress. We are healthy and fit heading into this weekend, and that puts us at a really good starting point.
"We still have some unanswered questions, such as which groups will mesh the best on the field, but those questions will only be answered by playing games."
The 'Cats scrimmaged Illinois State during the preseason and knocked off the Redbirds, 3-1.
"That match was a good measuring stick for us," said Haigh. "I was pleased because we came back to score three times after allowing the first goal, and I think our depth and fitness wore them down as the match progressed. We stayed sharp and were persistent on offense; hopefully those themes will play out in the regular season."
It is a long way to Lawrence and Columbia by bus -- NU's mode of transportation this weekend -- but Haigh is eager to hit the road.
"To be honest, I don't mind starting the season away from home," she said. "It is a chance to get away, and the focus is on nothing but soccer."
The focus will need to be sharp, as Missouri was recently picked fourth and Kansas seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll. By comparison, Northwestern was selected 10th in the preseason Big Ten poll -- exactly the place the Wildcats finished last season.
"I view these matches as though we are playing a couple of upper-level Big Ten teams; it is essentially the same thing," said Haigh. "Both Kansas and Missouri are strong teams that have players who can hurt you. We will need to be on our best game, but this is a great chance to make an early statement."
Kansas is led by Caroline Smith, a sophomore who scored 12 goals last year and led the Big 12 in goals and points per game last season. She is a preseason All-Big 12 pick.
"Caroline is an excellent forward," said Haigh. "Our defense will need to be ready for her right away."
Missouri, which went 11-7-2 a year ago, returns eight starters and is led by Lacy Moore, like Smith a preseason All-Big 12 selection. The Tigers might also be a little ahead of the game, because they took a preseason trip to Brazil and got in some matches down there.
The match also represents a sort of homecoming for Haigh, who was an assistant with the Tigers before coming to NU three years ago and is still familiar with many of Mizzou's upperclass players.
"It will be fun, but enough time has passed that I don't expect it to be too strange," she said.
