Northwestern University Athletics
Few Surprised By Steiner's Hot Start
9/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Eric Clark
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Sophomore Addie Steiner has driven the Northwestern women's soccer team to a 3-1 record in the 2014-15 season, its best start in seven years. Steiner has recorded six goals thus far, leading the Big Ten and tying for most in the NCAA. But despite having already tripled her freshman scoring total, the Prairie Village, Kan., native's play has surprised few who are familiar with her game.
"She's been fantastic," said Northwestern head coach Michael Moynihan. "Last season, I don't know if there was anyone who hit more crossbars and posts in the conference. We knew she had the potential, and she's found the back of the net often this season."
The Wildcats opened their season with a 1-0 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in Milwaukee, Wis., at the Marquette Invitational. Steiner fired three shots, tying teammates Katie Landgrebe and Niki Sebo for the team-high.
The team shrugged off their disappointing opener and moved on to defeat No. 15 Marquette two days later by a score of 1-0, as Steiner pounded the game-winning goal into the back of the net in the 81st minute via an assist from Niki Sebo.
Northwestern used the momentum from their win over the touted Marquette squad to roll through UIC on Aug. 27, 6-0. Steiner recorded a hat trick in the first half, notching three consecutive goals in less than 15 minutes of play.
In the `Cats most recent contest, Steiner notched two goals, including the game-winner, in a 3-1 victory over Miami (Ohio).
"After our rough start, we've rebounded really well," said Moynihan. "Last season, Addie was someone who we thought wasn't far away. We knew her potential as a goal-scorer. Once she broke the ice, her confidence started flowing."
Steiner wasn't shy about shooting last season, as she fired the second-most shots on the team (41) and tied for the second-most goals (2).
"Last season, we were a team that struggled to find the back of the net," said Moynihan. "(Steiner) has improved technically, and she's smiling and having fun out there."
The technical improvements made by Steiner have made a difference in her play, but she insists that her mindset and the play of her teammates have been the catalyst in her scoring frenzy.
"I feel more confident and comfortable with the ball," she said. "I feel like I am playing how I should be playing. My teammates are making it easy."
Steiner's comfort level on the field has spread to the locker room, where she said she has stepped into slightly larger leadership role.
"As a leader, she's growing," said Moynihan. "She's been more outspoken with ideas, she's been more receptive to coaching.
"She's a bit on the quiet side, but anyone who watches her play can see her passion. Her teammates can feel the spark and respond when they see one of the smallest players on our team challenging for every ball."
"I'm closer with my teammates and I'm developed better friendships over the past year," Steiner said. "We're tighter-knit than we were last year, and I'm much more comfortable speaking."
While Steiner has accounted for over half of Northwestern's goals this season, Moynihan has no worries or doubts that his team will become too reliant on one player's offense.
"Most teams have a player with a lion's share of goals, and not many teams have their goals distributed equally," he said. "We have plenty of players who are very capable of putting up solid totals."
To Steiner, there is no pressure to keep up her frenetic scoring pace.
"We expect to keep playing the way we have," she said. "Our goal is to get to the Big Ten Tournament and beyond, and I'm committed to helping us get there."
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