Summertime is officially upon us in Bloomington, meaning that 'tis the season for recruiting and preparing for the fall. Additionally, we are also preparing for our tour of Italy in March of 2005.  Lots to do despite the players not being around campus, for sure!

We will welcome 8 new faces into the fold in the fall as memebers of our freshman class.  For those who have been paying attention to the IWU Sports homepage you have already seen the list of newcomers.  For those of you who have only been checking the soccer site, here is a list of the Class of 2008:

Name                        Hometown                    High School                        Position
Amanda Cordes     Naperville, Ill.                 Neuqua Valley HS             Goalkeeper
Taryn Hegi            Wheaton, Ill.                   Wheaton North HS            Defender
Jackie Kofod         Glenview, Ill.                  Glenbrook South HS          Defender
Megan Lucke        Libertyville, Ill.                Libertyville HS                   Midfielder
Jessica Pryor         Bettendorf, Iowa            Pleasant Valley HS             Forward
Megan Rynne       Oak Forest, Ill.               Marian Catholic HS            Defender
Carrie Walz            Bloomington, Ill.            Browning Academy (UT)    Forward

Our squad will number 27 players in the fall, making it the largest group we have had on the team since my arrival.  I am sure that the new players will add a dimension of depth and competitiveness to an experienced team that returns 20 upperclassmen. It should make for an exciting season!

We are already working on the Class of 2009, believe it or not.  I have been recruiting so far to tournaments in Indianapolis, Rockford, and Naperville.  Additionally, we are starting a girls' residential camp this summer in conjunction with the coach at Illinois State.  We are expecting about 75 high school girls to be on campus this summer, many of whom have expressed interest in IWU.  We have also had several girls make unofficial visits to campus this month.  With seven members of the team graduating next fall I am going to work hard to have another top class of players join the team in the fall of 2005.

Our schedule is up to date on our web site so please plan ahead to make as many games as possible this fall.  We have a great deal of unfinished business to attend to so hopefully the team will be up for it come August.  Once we get rolling again I will keep this site updated with information about the team and game reports.  Have a great summer!
 
 
 
 
 
 

                    Ann Bernard named  All-American Third Team
                          First IWU Titan ever to earn All-American status

Senior midfielder Ann Bernard was named to the Division III NSCAA All-American third team for 2003, becoming the first Titan soccer player ever to earn such a distinction.  After being named All-Central Region for the second consecutive year, the four-time Titan Most Valuable Player was recognized as one of the top women's players in the nation.  All of the All-Americans, including all NCAA divisions, NAIA, and NCCAA, were recognized at a banquet at the national soccer coaches convention in Charlotte, NC this past weekend.  (If you would like to view all of the All-American teams, go to www.nscaa.com, click on the awards link and navigate your way to the Senior College Women section.)

Ann and her parents were able to attend the luncheon with me last Saturday and, I must say, it was wonderful to see her walk across the stage representing the IWU soccer program.  I think it is a great accomplishment for the women's program to have helped produce one of the best players in the country.  Obviously, Ann did a great deal of the work herself.  Her work ethic and commitment have been unparalleled over the past four years and I only hope it was not lost on the players who are still in the program.  While our team accomplishments will always precedent over individual honors, having players recognized for their accomplishments hopefully speaks to the type of environment we have created here at IWU.  From the time players are being recruited until the time they graduate, we talk with them about the importance of individual and collective improvement.  They hear quite often how it is an expectation for Titan soccer players to hold themselves accountable and to the high standards associated with Titan soccer.  Our philosophy is partially based on the idea that if everyone does their job in terms of preparing themselves to perform to their abilities, our team will benefit.  That has certainly been the case since 2001, few typify this better than Ann.
 

        Titans Place Seven Players on All-CCIW First and Second Teams
                        Senior Ann Bernard leads way with fourth First Team Selection

After a disappointing end to the the playing season, the Titans' post-season honors began to roll in with the announcement of the conference awards.  After a 6-1 record in the regualr season and a share of the title, the team was pleased to learn that seven of its players received recognition from the coaches in the league.

Three members of the team were named 1st Team All-CCIW.  Senior Ann Bernard was on the team for the fourth consecutive season; senior Lauren Boegen closed out her career as a first-team defender (she was second team in 2002); and striker Katie Kelly was named to the first team for the second consecutive season.

Four members of the team were selected to the second team.  Defender Jenny Labrenz was honored for the first time, as was midfielder Lyndsay O'Brien; Mary Karson and Marisa Johnson both made repeat appearances on the all-league teams (second and third times for each).

It was really nice to have our players recognized for their efforts.  I am often reminded that the girls are not going to remember the awards but instead the experience.  I guess I always want the best for them and since I know how hard they work everyday, I get more disappointed or excited about their awards.

While thrilled for the seven who received their honors, I was disappointed on two accounts.  First, I thought that our goalkeeper Emily Castner was well-deserving to be recognized.  She only conceded 1 goal in CCIW play all season and had 7 shutouts, including one over Wheaton.  I guess I don't know what more a player has to do!  She is certainly deserving and I would not trade her for any other keeper.  She will always be first team in our book!

Secondly, I was disappointed that the Player of the Year wasn't a Titan.  I thought we had two legitimate candidates in Ann and Katie, both of whom I consider to be better than the person who won the honor (not that I think she is a bad player, just not as good as either of ours).  To me, a Player of the Year honor should go to the most outstanding player in the conference and I don't believe this year's winner was the best player in the CCIW.  But, as was the case with Emily, I would not give up Ann or Katie for any five players in the league.

I am hopeful that our players have more recognition on the way with the regional and national honors forthcoming.  As those are announced, the comments' page will be updated with the results.