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December 9
Marisa Johnson and Katie Kelly were chosen as the “Most Valuable Players” for the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team and both were also elected to the third team of the NSCAA all-Central region squad. Johnson had 12 goals with five assists for 29 points for the Titans (14-6-1, 4-2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) and finished her career as IWU’s fourth leading scorer with 83 points and tied the school record of 25 assists. Kelly led IWU in scoring with 37 points on 15 goals with seven assists. After three years she is No. 3 all-time at IWU in points (91) and goals (40). In other awards, Kristin Freund was chosen as the team’s “Most Improved Player” and Kelly, Mary Karson and Katie Korder were elected co-captains for 2005.
November 16
Four Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer players were chosen to the all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin squads in voting by league coaches. Senior Marisa Johnson and juniors Katie Kelly and Mary Karson were chosen to the first team while sophomore Lyndsay O’Brien was named to the second team. The Titans finished with an overall record of 14-6-1 and were 4-2-1 in the league, falling in the championship game of the conference tournament.
November 14
The Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer team allowed three first half goals and Wisconsin-Stout made them stand up in a 3-0 shutout of the Titans on Sun., Nov. 14 in the first Midwest Association of Athletic Conferences (MAAC) tournament in Menomonie, Wis. The Titans’ season ends with a 14-6-1 record while UW-Stout finshes 15-3-2. On Sat., Nov. 13, IWU came from behind to gain a 3-2 win over Minnesota-Morris (11-10-1).
November 13
Katie Kelly scored a goal in the final minute of the game to give the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team a 3-2 win over Minnesota-Morris in the first Midwest Association of Athletic Conferences (MAAC) tournament in Menomonie, Wis., on Sat., Nov. 13. Lyndsay O’Brien scored a goal in the 87th minute to tie the game at 2-2 and Brittany Kirkpatrick had the other Titan goal (in the first half) and contributed two assists, one for O'Brien and one for Kelly. The Titans are 14-5-1 and face the host school, Wisconsin-Stout (14-3-2), for the tourney title at noon Sun., Nov. 14. UM-Morris ended the season with an 11-10-1 record.
November 10
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team (with an overall record of 13-5-1) will play in the first Midwest Association of Athletic Conferences (MAAC) tournament in Menomonie, Wis., this weekend. The Titans will play Minnesota-Morris (11-8-1) at 1 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 13, then will face the host school, Wisconsin-Stout (13-3-2), at 12 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 14. Minnesota-Morris and Wisconsin-Stout play on Fri., Nov. 12 as part of the round robin event.
November 6
Junior Katie Kelly scored the Titans’ only goal on an assist from April Naylor in the 87th minute as the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer lost to Wheaton, 5-1, in the championship game of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament. The Titans (13-5-1) were outshot, 24-6, as the Thunder improved to 20-1 in winning its 10th straight league title.
November 3
Senior Marisa Johnson tied an Illinois Wesleyan game record as she scored all four goals as the IWU women’s soccer team won a semifinal game, 4-1, over Carthage in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin tournament in Kenosha, Wis., on Wed., Nov. 3. Johnson tied the IWU record held by Julie Brooks (2000), Kaye Galyean (1994), Erin Gallagher (1995) and Sarah Nelson (1997). The Titans improved to 13-4-1 and will play top-seed Wheaton (19-1) at 5 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 6 for the league tourney title in Wheaton. The Thunder have won 19 straight, including a 5-0 decision over IWU on Sept. 29.
October 30
The Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer team lost to Carthage, 1-0, on Sat., Oct. 30 at Wisconsin-Parkside. The Titans fell to 12-4-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and will again play Carthage (16-4 overall, 6-1 CCIW) in the first round of the CCIW tournament on Wed., Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in Kenosha, Wis. IWU was outshot, 15-11, and Shelly Hecht’s goal (her 18th of the year) came with less that two minutes to play.
October 27
Mary Karson scored on a penalty kick in the 88th minute for the gamewinner as the Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer team downed Webster, 3-2, in a nonconference game on Wed., Oct. 27 at IWU’s Neis Field. It was Karson’s second penalty kick goal of the night, the first one coming in the 60th minute. Amy Slott scored the Titans’ other goal, unassisted, at the 82:20 mark. All goals were scored in the second half of the game as IWU (12-3-1) held a 13-5 edge in shots over the Gorloks (12-7).
October 25
Illinois Wesleyan senior co-captain Marisa Johnson (Wayne, Ill., St. Charles East HS) has been selected as the co-winner of the “Player of the Week” honor in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin for the week ending Oct. 24. Johnson had three goals in leading IWU to a 4-0 victory over Millikin on Sat., Oct. 23. The Titans are 11-3-1 overall and 4-1-1 in league play. Sharing the weekly award with Johnson is Carthage’s Shelly Hecht.
October 23
Marisa Johnson scored three goals for her “Senior Day” contribution to Illinois Wesleyan’s 4-0 women’s soccer victory over Millikin on Sat., Oct. 23 at IWU’s Neis Field. Brittany Kirkpatrick scored the Titans’ other goal as IWU improved to 11-3-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Megan Lucke assisted on one of Johnson’s goals. Other seniors honored were Kristin Wood, April Naylor, Zaya Fusco, Jessa Pyzyna and Stephanie Travers.
October 20
The No. 11 nationally-ranked University of Chicago women’s soccer team defeated Illinois Wesleyan, 2-0, on Wed., Oct. 20 in Chicago. The Titans, who fell to 10-3-1, were outshot, 17-7 and goalkeeper Emily Castner made three saves in each half. Katie Kelly, IWU’s leading scorer, did not play due to an ankle sprain. The Maroons (10-1-2) had goals from Elise Aiken and Renee Neuner.
October 16
Senior Marisa Johnson kicked the game-winning goal into the net in the 114th minute to give the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team a 2-1 overtime win over Hope on Sat., Oct. 16 in Holland, Mich. On a cold, rainy afternoon, IWU (10-2-1) had a 5-4 edge in shots on goal and led, 1-0 on a Mary Karson goal, heading into the final minute of regulation when Hope (7-4-2) scored with 42 seconds left. The teams were scoreless through the first overtime session. The Titans’ scheduled Oct. 17 game at Kalamazoo has been cancelled due to field conditions.
October 13
Brittany Kirkpatrick scored a goal and assisted on two others as the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team held off Aurora, 3-2, in a nonconference road match on Wed., Oct. 13. Kirkpatrick scored in the seventh minute and assisted on goals by Lyndsay O'Brien in the 55th minute and Katie Kelly in the 72nd minute as IWU went ahead, 3-0, midway through the final period. The Spartans scored the final two goals in a span of four and a half minutes late in the game. The Titans improved to 9-2-1 as Aurora fell to 7-7-1.
October 9
Carrie Walz and Katie Kelly each had three goals and Brittany Kirkpatrick had two as the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team routed North Central, 9-0, on Sat., Oct. 9, at IWU’s Neis Field. Marisa Johnson had the other goal and an assist, Lyndsay O'Brien had three assists and Kelly also had an assist as the Titans improved to 8-2-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Megan Lucke had two assists while April Naylor, Katie Korder and Eileen Ouska each had an assist against the Cardinals (2-7, 0-4 CCIW). The Titans outshot North Central, 27-2.
October 6
After going ahead, 2-0, the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team surrendered the final three goals of the game to lose, 3-2, against Loras in Dubuque, Iowa, on Wed., Oct. 6. The Titans, eanked No. 5 in the Central region, got an "own goal" and a goal from Brittany Kirkpatrick on an assist from Lyndsay O'Brien in the first half.but allowed scores in the 22nd and 29th minute and the gamewinner came in the 72nd minute for Loras (10-0-1 and ranked No. 6 in the Central region). IWU (7-2-1) got seven saves from goalkeeper Emily Castner.
October 4
Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Castner made three saves in a shutout effort and goals from the Katies – Korder and Kelly – were enough to propel the No. 22-nationally ranked Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team to a 2-0 nonconference win over St. Francis (Ill.) on Mon., Oct. 4, at IWU’s Neis Field. Kelly scored in the 26th minute on a corner kick with assists from Brittany Kirkpatrick and April Naylor, while Korder scored unassisted in the 65th minute. The Titans outshot St. Francis, 9-3 as IWU improved to 7-1-1.
October 2
The No. 22-nationally ranked Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team claimed a 4-0 shutout win over Elmhurst on Sat., Oct. 2, at IWU’s Neis Field. Lyndsay O'Brien had a goal and an assist and Katie Kelly had two assists as the Titans improved to 6-1-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. O'Brien, Brittany Kirkpatrick and Stephanie Travers all scored goals in the first half to give the Titans a 3-0 halftime edge. Eileen Ouska added a second half goal. Goalkeeper Emily Castner was credited with three saves. The Titans had nine shots on goal to three for Elmhurst (5-3, 0-1 CCIW).
September 29
Jennifer Binger and Ashley Wiersma scored two goals each to lead Wheaton's women's soccer team to a 5-0 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin victory over Illinois Wesleyan on Wed., Sept. 29. Sara Johnson had the other goal for the Thunder (9-1, 5-0). IWU fell to 5-1-1 overall and 1-1-1 in the CCIW.
September 28
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team (5-0-1) is No. 22 in the national rankings and tied for No. 3 in the Central regional rankings released Sept. 28. For the second time this season, junior Katie Kelly has been chosen “Player of the Week” in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin. Kelly notched a pair of goals in IWU’s win over then No. 6-nationally ranked Washington U., 2-1 on Sept. 21, then added two more goals in the Titans’ 4-0 shutout over North Park. For the week Kelly made four of the seven shots she took for a .571 percentage.
September 24
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team remained unbeaten as it rolled past North Park, 4-0, on Fri., Sept. 24 at Neis Field. Goalkeepers Emily Castner, Heather Jensen and Amanda Cordes combined for the shutout as Katie Kelly scored two goals, Lyndsay O'Brien scored a goal and has an assist, and Mary Karson scored the other goal. Marisa Johnson and Brittany Kirkpatrick also had assists as IWU improved to 5-0-1 while the Vikings fell to 0-5-3.
September 21
Junior Katie Kelly scored two second half goals in an eight-minute span as the Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team toppled the No. 6-nationally ranked Washington U. team, 2-1, on Tues., Sept. 21 at IWU's Neis Field. Kelly scored an unassisted goal at 61:42 into a net left empty by the keeper, then at the 69:45 mark, Kelly took a pass from Brittany Kirkpatrick and converted the goal. IWU goalie Emily Castner made 10 saves against the Bears, who had 11 shots on goal compared to only two for the Titans (4-0-1). Washington U. fell to 6-1.
September 18
The Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team launched 20 total shots and 10 shots on goal but none found the target as IWU settled for a 0-0 double overtime tie with Augustana in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener at IWU’s Neis Field on Sat., Sept. 18. Katie Kelly had five shots on goal and Lyndsay O’Brien had two for the Titans but Augie’s Betsy Knawa made 10 saves in 110 minutes. The Titans’ Emily Castner made four saves as IWU is now 3-0-1 this season.
September 11
Senior co-captain Marisa Johnson and junior Katie Kelly each scored two goals and had one assist as the Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team cruised to a 6-1 win over Cornell on Sat., Sept. 11 at IWU’s Neis Field. The Titans improved to 3-0 as Zaya Fusco and Mary Karson also scored goals and Brittany Kirkpatrick added an assist on Kelly’s first goal. The Titans launched 15 shots as compared to only two for Cornell.
September 8
Illinois Wesleyan junior midfielder Katie Kelly has been named “Player of the Week” for women’s soccer in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin for the week ending Sept. 6. Kelly scored a goal in each of the Titans’ first two games, a 2-0 win over Calvin and a 2-1 victory over Albion. Kelly, a first team all-league selection in 2003, was a three-time CCIW “Player of the Week” honoree last fall.
September 5
Katie Kelly scored her second goal of the season and Marisa Johnson scored her first as the Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team improved to 2-0 with a 2-1 win over Albion in the Titan Soccer Classic on Sun., Sept. 5 at Neis Field. Kelly's goal came at 55:12 off an assist from Lyndsay O'Brien and Johnson scored at 59:24 on an assist from Brittany Kirkpatrick. Sophomore Emily Castner had three saves and the Titans outshot the Britons, 11-4, in the win.
September 4
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer team won its opening season game against Calvin, 2-0, on Sat., Sept. 4 in the 2nd annual Titan Soccer Classic at Neis Field. The Titans got goals from Katie Kelly in the first half and Mary Karson, on an assist from Katie Korder, in the second half and had 11 total shots on goal. Sophomore Emily Castner had one save as Calvin managed only two shots in the game. IWU next meets Albion at 4 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 5 at Neis Field.
September 2004
The Illinois Wesleyan women's soccer regular season gets underway on Sat., Sept. 4 in the second annual Titan Soccer Classic with a match against Calvin at 5:45 p.m. at Neis Field on the IWU campus. The Titans will meet Albion on Sun., Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. IWU has home exhibition games against a Naperville (Ill.) club team on Wed., Aug. 25 at 7 p.m., and against a Barrington (Ill.) club team and DePauw on Sat., Aug. 28 beginning at 4:30 p.m.
