Women's Soccer

Crusaders Claim Fifth Place over the Cougars

Maranatha 3, Clearwater Christian 0
November 16, 2009
Box Score
NCCAA Bracket

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Maranatha Crusader women’s soccer team shut out the Cougars of Clearwater Christian College 3-0 to take fifth place in the NCCAA National Tournament on Monday afternoon. The Crusaders won two of three games in the tournament to finish the season with a 7-12 record. Full Story

Crusaders Play for Fifth Place on Monday

Maranatha 1,Toccoa Falls 2
Box Score
Maranatha 2, Kentucky Christian 0
Box Score
November 14, 2009

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Maranatha Crusader women’s soccer team will be playing for fifth place against Clearwater Christian College in the NCCAA National Tournament on Monday, Nov. 16. The Crusaders lost 2-1 in the first round to Toccoa Falls College on Friday but bounced back to defeat Kentucky Christian University 2-0 on Saturday. Full Story

Women’s Team Prepares for Nationals

November 10, 2009
Tournament Bracket

WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader women’s soccer team will be leaving on Wednesday for Kissimmee, Fla. to participate in the NCCAA II National Championship Tournament. Slotted as the #5 seed in the tournament, the Crusaders will be looking to improve on their 4th place finish in 2008. Full Story

Crusaders Are Defeated by the Eagles

Maranatha 1, Edgewood 2
October 29, 2009
Box Score

WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader women’s soccer team was defeated 2-1 by the Eagles of Edgewood College in their final home game of the season on Thursday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 3-8 in conference play while the Eagles improve to 8-2-1. More 

Crusaders Are Shutout by the Cougars

Maranatha 0,Concordia-Chicago 2
October 23, 2009
Box Score

RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Maranatha Crusader women’s soccer team was shutout by the Cougars of Concordia-Chicago 2-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Friday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 3-7 in conference play. More

Crusaders Reel In the Muskies

Maranatha 2, Lakeland 0
October 20, 2009
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WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusader women’s soccer team shutout the Lakeland Muskies 2-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders improve to 3-6 in conference. Full Story

Crusaders Are Shutout by the Eagles

Maranatha 0, Benedictine 3
October 17, 2009

LISLE, Ill. – The Maranatha Crusader women’s soccer team was shutout 3-0 by the Eagles of Benedictine University in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 2-6 in conference play while the Eagles improve to 3-6. More

Crusaders Lose the Battle but Win the War

Maranatha 1, Northland International 2
October 15, 2009
Box Score

DUNBAR, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusaders were defeated 2-1 by the Pioneers of Northland International University in an NCCAA Midwest Regional match on Thursday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 4-8, and the Pioneers improve to 6-2. Full Story 

Karis Rogers, a freshman forward for Maranatha Baptist Bible College (Wis.), was named the Student Athlete of the Week for women’s soccer for both the Northern Athletics Conference and the National Christian College Athletic Association.

A church ministries-piano pedagogy major from Willmar, Minn., Rogers scored 5 goals in 3 games over this past week including a pair against rival Northland International University. Rogers finished the week with a hat trick against Alverno College on Saturday.

Lady Crusaders Fall to the Spartans

Maranatha 0, Aurora 3
October 9, 2009
Box Score

AURORA, Ill. – The Lady Crusaders were defeated by the Spartans of Aurora University 3-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Friday afternoon. The Crusaders are now 2-5 in conference play. More

Maranatha Gets Mauled by the Marian Sabres

Maranatha 0, Marian 6
October 6, 2009
Box Score

WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusaders were defeated by the Sabres of Marian University 6-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference match on Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 4-6, 2-4 in conference play. The Sabres improve to 7-3, 6-2 in the NAC. More

Maranatha Snuffs Out the Inferno

Maranatha 5, Alverno 0
October 3, 2009
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WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusaders defeated the Alverno Inferno 5-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference match on Saturday morning. The Crusaders improve their record to 4-5, 2-3 in conference play. Full Story

Crusaders Are Crushed by Concordia

Maranatha 0, Concordia (Wis.) 4
October 1, 2009
Box Score

MEQUON, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusaders were defeated by the Falcons of Concordia University 4-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference match on Thursday afternoon. The Crusaders fall to 1-3 in conference play; the Falcons improve to 4-0-2. Full Story

Maranatha Defeats Northland

Maranatha 3, Northland International 2
September 28, 2009
Box Score

WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusaders defeated the Northland Pioneers 3-2 on a cold and windy Monday afternoon. The Crusaders improve their record to 3-4. Full Story
 

Offensive Explosion Propels the Lady Crusaders to a Win

Maranatha 5, Wisconsin Lutheran 0
September 26, 2009

MILWAUKEE -- The Lady Crusaders defeated the Warriors of Wisconsin Lutheran College 5-0 in a Northern Athletics Conference game on Saturday afternoon. The Crusaders improve to 1-2 in conference play. Full Story

Crusaders Find the Net against the Rams

Maranatha 1, North Central 0
September 22, 2009
Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS – The Maranatha Crusaders defeated the Lady Rams of North Central University (Minn.) 1-0 in an NCCAA matchup on Saturday afternoon. More

Crusaders Run Over by the Raiders

Maranatha 0, MSOE 3
September 17, 2009
Box Score

MILWAUKEE – The Maranatha Crusaders lost 3-0 to the Raiders of the Milwaukee School of Engineering on Thursday night. More

Crusaders Defeated by the V-Hawks

Maranatha 0, Viterbo 4
September 12, 2009
Box Score

WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Maranatha Crusaders were defeated by Viterbo University 4-0 in a nonconference match on Saturday morning. More

Crusaders Lose Home Opener to Dominican

Maranatha 0, Dominican 6
September 11, 2009
Box Score

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Lady Crusaders lost their conference opener to the Stars of Dominican University on Friday afternoon. More

Crusaders Fall to the Cardinals in Opening Match of the Season

Maranatha 0, North Central College 4
September 3, 2009
Box Score

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Lady Crusaders were outmuscled by North Central College and fell 4-0 to the Cardinals in a non-conference match on Thursday afternoon.More

Onward and Upward

The Maranatha women’s soccer team has high hopes for the 2009 season. After making great strides during the 2008 season, the Crusaders plan to continue the progression and exceed what was accomplished in 2008.

The 2008 season was a successful season. The Crusaders finished the season with an 11-10 record including a 6-6 record in the Northern Athletics Conference. The 11 wins were the most since 2003, and the 6 conference wins were the most in the history of the program. The Crusaders finished the season in fourth place at the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla.

The team was led by senior NCCAA All-Americans Julie Muse and Melissa Nichols in the midfield. During the 2008 campaign Nichols led the team with 17 goals; Muse contributed 4 goals and 5 assists. The team will also need to replace goalkeeper Barb Gerlach who had a 1.75 goals against average during the 2008 season.

Although, Muse, Nichols, and Gerlach will be sorely missed, Head Coach Sommer Rodolph believes returning players and newcomers will fill the gap left by the 3 seniors. “Overcoming the loss of Melissa, Julie, and Barb is definitely a difficult prospect,” Coach Rodolph said. “But I think that we will have a good goalie in Amanda Moses. In order to overcome the losses of Nichols and Muse, we will probably work on a different set-up on the field so as not to put so much pressure in the middle.” Moses (Guthrie Center, Iowa) will be playing goalkeeper for the Crusaders after a stellar career at guard for the women’s basketball team.

The Crusaders do return a number of significant players on all 3 lines. Lisa Collogan (Des Moines, Iowa), a 2008 NCCAA DII All-American, will be returning to direct the defensive backfield once again. Elise Jones (Beaverton, Ore.), a second team NCCAA All-American, scored 13 goals for the Crusaders and will be counted on for continued offensive production. After scoring 6 goals in 2008, senior forward Emily Dow (Stoughton, Wis.) seems poised for a breakthrough season on offense.

Of the incoming freshmen, Katie Foy (Columbia City, Ind.) and Alysha Morris (Watertown, Wis.) have already stepped up and taken starting positions. Foy will be helping to fill the void left by Muse and Nichols in the center midfield. “Katie is an excellent player and seems to have a good feel for the game,” Coach Rodolph said. “I am very excited to see what she does this year.” Morris will be starting in the defensive backfield.

With returning players taking on leadership roles and incoming freshmen making significant contributions, the Crusaders could make a splash in the Northern Athletics Conference. “We have a good if not better chance at getting into the NAC playoffs,” Coach Rodolph said. “We were only one game off last year, and that close of a chance gave the girls an idea that we can be that good and better.”

The Crusaders would also like to advance again to the NCCAA National Tournament and finish higher than last year. “I know we can do better in the NCCAA,” Coach Rodolph said. “Finishing fourth last year was a little hard to swallow. Hopefully, that will help the girls to keep their focus this year.”

The Crusaders start their season on Thursday, Sept. 3 in a non-conference match at North Central College (Ill.). Northern Athletics Conference play will begin with a home match against Dominican University on Friday, Sept. 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Spring Soccer Wrap-up

Maranatha’s transition into the post-Melissa Nichols era began in earnest during 2009 spring practice, according to Director of Soccer Jeff Pill.

“Next year’s team will be a different type of team,” Pill said. “They will need to be more balanced, which may require a new system. They can’t rely on Mel to carry the day.”

Nichols, the second-leading scorer in Maranatha history, contributed 17 goals in 2008 to lead the Crusaders to an 11-10 overall record and fourth-place finish during the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament at Kissimmee, Fla. She will be an assistant to Pill and coach Sommer Rodolph (Maranatha’s career scoring leader) when the 2009 season opens.

Five weeks of spring practice culminated April 25, when the Crusaders sent two teams to the Sixth Annual 7v7 Chapparal Shootout at the College of DuPage. The Blue team fell to Monmouth (Ill.) and Western Illinois and the Gold team lost to Loras (Iowa) and Elmhurst (Ill.) before rain canceled the remainder of the event.

Much was accomplished during those five weeks of transition, however. Pill said he saw significant improvement from senior midfielder Emily Kutz, junior defender Lisa Collogan and senior midfielder Sarah Berry. He also said several new players appeared to be fitting well into the flow of play. One of them was his daughter, Sarah Pill, a senior-to-be who will join the Crusaders this fall.

Another positive sign was “the yo-yo,” a test that measures anaerobic recovery time. The average “yo-yo” score for the women’s team improved from 13.7 a year ago to 15.0.

Maranatha returns seven players who started at least 19 games and four others who played in at least 15, but the challenge remains to recruit or develop midfielders to replace Nichols and Julie Muse, who led the team with five assists.

“Everybody on this team will need to do their part next year,” Pill said.

The Crusaders open the 2009 regular season Sept. 3 at home against North Central College of Naperville, Ill.

2008 Team Raised the Bar for Maranatha Soccer

Consider the bar raised.

The Maranatha women’s soccer team, which experienced only one winning season during the program’s first nine years, made its second consecutive trip to the National Christian College Athletic Association’s national tournament in 2008. The Crusaders finished fourth, leaving both room for improvement and optimism for the future.

“Striving for excellence was our theme,” co-head coach Hayley McGrail (left) said. “We did see improvement, but we need to go forward. We can’t be satisfied any more with being mediocre and beating mediocre teams. As our program gets better, we should be looking to play, and beat, better teams. “

The Crusaders finished 11-10 overall, 6-6 in the Northern Athletics Conference. Maranatha missed qualifying for the NAC postseason tournament on the final day of the regular season, but went on to win the NCCAA Midwest Region title.

“The main thing was, they were competing,” Director of Soccer Jeff Pill said. “There was such an improvement in the way they competed with each other every day in practice.”

“By the end of the season, we were able to see them coach themselves,” McGrail said. “They were solving problems on their own, rather than having the coaches solve them. Their minds were in the game. It was cool to see.”

Three players—senior midfielders Melissa Nichols and Julie Muse (right) and sophomore defender Lisa Collogan—were named to the NCCAA All-America team. Nichols led the team with 17 goals, and Muse led the team with five assists.

“We really stepped it up as far as finishing, getting the ball in the goal,” McGrail said. “We had struggled with that (in 2007).”

Nichols and Muse are among five graduating seniors. The others are starting goalkeeper Barb Gerlach (1.75 goals-against average) and backup Melanie Killingsworth and starting senior midfielder Kat Alley.

“The women’s team loses some significant seniors, some warriors,” Pill said. “It’ll be a challenge, especially to find help in the center of the field. There are some big roles to fill.”

“I think we have some girls who can put the ball in the goal, but our biggest loss will be the way Julie and Melissa controlled the middle,” McGrail said. “Attacking midfielder is a hard position to fill.”

The returnees include Collogan, Elise Jones, second to Nichols with 13 goals, and five other players who started at least 19 games—Shannon Delany, Emily Dow, Cara Harrison, Emily Kutz and Brianna Moses. Four other retunees played in at least 15 games—Rachel Downs (left), Allie Lundquist, Pam Shetter and Britney Wyse.

“The girls we have here will be ready when I put them in next year,” McGrail said. “We want them to stay in shape all year. We want them to be accountable. We don’t want to have much ground to cover when they show up next fall.

“When I look at the players we have coming back, and where the program is going, I’m very optimistic.”

--Posted by Andrew Call, 12-10-08

Thank you to Soccer Pro for donating equipment to the Maranatha men's and women's soccer programs. Visit SoccerPro.com for Adidas Samba soccer cleats.

Click here to read all 2008 women's soccer stories