Northwestern University Athletics
Follow the Wildcats This Spring
3/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
March 7, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's women's soccer team continues its preparation for the 2007 season when its spring schedule kicks off April 1 at the University of Illinois Tournament in Champaign, Ill.
After the tournament, the 'Cats will head to South Bend, Ind., on April 18 for a match against 2006 NCAA runner-up Notre Dame. (Note: Game has been rescheduled from April 5).
Following an eight-day layoff, the Wildcats head to DeKalb, Ill., on April 14 for contests against Northern Illinois and Loyola (Ill.).
NU will take on Minnesota and South Dakota State at the Gopher Spring Classic on April 29 before returning to Evanston for an alumni exhibition on May 6.
"We have solidified a spring schedule that really will help us prepare for the fall season," head coach Stephanie Erickson said. "We've been working hard all winter and are looking forward to facing two Big Ten teams in Illinois and Minnesota at their respective tournaments."
"We also have a great opportunity to face Notre Dame, the 2006 NCAA runner-up," Erickson said. "We have high expectations for the 2007 season and this spring schedule is a major part of our preparation."
Erickson's squad will look to improve on a season where the 'Cats were among the league leaders in most offensive categories and made the Big Ten Tournament after missing the postseason in 2005.
The Wildcats return all but one starter and close to 90 percent of their scoring from last season, including senior Kelsey Hans (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville) and junior Jenny Dunn (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Louisville), who finished with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Senior Shannon Schneeman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) returned last season after missing all of 2005 with an injury to contribute four assists and five goals -- three on penalty kicks. Back between the pipes is senior Lauren Johnston (Denver, Colo./Denver East), who recorded four shutouts in 2006.
Combine that with a solid defensive core led by junior Laura Janowitsch (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) and sophomore Leigh Jakes (McDonough, Ga./Eagle's Landing), along with a talented group of incoming freshman, and the Wildcats appear poised to make a serious run in the Big Ten in 2007.
Northwestern's 2007 spring schedule is listed below. Dates and times are subject to change.
2007 Spring Schedule and Results
Sunday, April 1
University of Illinois Tournament
NU 0, Illinois State 0 (ISU wins in shootout)
NU 0, Eastern Illinois 0 (NU wins in shootout)
Illinois 3, NU 0
Northwestern played three games in Champaign and posted a 1-2 record to start the spring slate. Each game was played with two 25 minute halves and went to shootouts with no overtime. In the first contest, the Wildcats tied Illinois State 0-0 and fell in a shootout.
All five shooters for both teams made their shots with Shannon Schneeman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall), Zendzi Neal (Washington D.C./Washington International), Kelly Sitkowski (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Conant), Stephanie Krutsch (Bloomington, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) and Alicia Herczeg (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura) recording tallies for NU. Illinois State took the shootout in sudden death.
The 'Cats went to another shootout in their second game, but emerged victorious over Eastern Illinois. NU again hit all five of their shots in the shootout and took advantage of one EIU miss to win the contest.
NU fell to host Illinois, 3-0, in the final game of the tournament, but played their best soccer of the afternoon. Despite being shut out by the Illini, the Wildcats created several chances on the offensive end. Lauren Johnston (Denver Colo./Denver East) made several big saves between the pipes.
"Overall, it was a productive day for us," head coach Stephanie Erickson said. "A lot of people were able to play a lot of minutes and appreciated the opportunity to get some of the rust off."
"We were dissappointed that we didn't convert a goal in the run of play, but we saw some inexperienced players make big strides in one day," Erickson said. "We are looking forward to playing Notre Dame on Thursday."
Saturday, April 14
Northern Illinois Tournament
Loyola 1, NU 0
Northern Illinois 1, NU 0
Wednesday April 18
Notre Dame 3, NU 0
"Notre Dame is an excellent team," Erickson said. "They play attractive soccer, move the ball well and are very fast."
"I thought we did well in competing with them physically and we created our own chances well," Erickson said. "We learned a lot, went deep on our bench and came away confident that we are making progress in becoming a top team in the Big Ten and the nation."
Sunday, April 29
Gopher Spring Classic
Minnesota 3, NU 2
NU 2, South Dakota State 0
Notes: Schneeman and Ali Rubnitz (Los Gatos, Calif./Los Gatos) named to All-Tournament Team.
Sunday, May 6
Alumni Game, 10 a.m.
