2008 Woodie Awards
SIUE women's soccer begins Division I era with shutout victories
Levi Kirby
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Sports
The transition to Division I was a smooth one for the SIUE women's soccer team, as they opened up the 2008 season with a 3-0 victory over Indiana State Sunday in Terre Haute, Ind.
The positive start is just what the team needed to lose some of the nervousness that accompanied the switch to D-I.
Junior defenseman Kelley Humphrey said the experience was fun but much more physical.
"We were a little cluttered at first but then slowed down and passed the ball well," Humphrey said. "We started working together and did what we have been doing in practice."
Junior goalkeeper Kaci Backs started the game and played 80 minutes, recording a save. Freshman Claire Lovercheck finished off the game at the net, adding another save for the Cougars.
Upperclassmen make up half of this year's team, with eight of those being seniors. One team goal is to let everyone know they belong in D-I, and the win gets the team off to a good start.
"I want to be in every game this year, even though it is D-I," Backs said. "I know we have a shot at winning every game."
New SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton is as excited about the competition his team will face, and is interested to see how his players will react.
"We have good experience with the 10 upperclassmen," Burton said. "We have capable soccer players, that's the bottom line. Now we'll see if we can continue to get better and develop as a team.
The Cougars were also victorious Wednesday in an exhibition game at SIUE against Missouri Valley by a score of 7-0. Backs started the exhibition game and recorded a save in the shutout victory.
Burton said playing good all-around defense, winning individual battles, possessing the ball and playing like they practice are a few things the Cougars did well in the exhibition game and season opener that they need to continue throughout the season.
Humphrey said above all, the Cougars are out to make a name for themselves in D-I.
"We want to prove we belong here," Humphrey said.
The Cougars next game is against the Akron Zips at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Akron, Ohio.
The positive start is just what the team needed to lose some of the nervousness that accompanied the switch to D-I.
Junior defenseman Kelley Humphrey said the experience was fun but much more physical.
"We were a little cluttered at first but then slowed down and passed the ball well," Humphrey said. "We started working together and did what we have been doing in practice."
Junior goalkeeper Kaci Backs started the game and played 80 minutes, recording a save. Freshman Claire Lovercheck finished off the game at the net, adding another save for the Cougars.
Upperclassmen make up half of this year's team, with eight of those being seniors. One team goal is to let everyone know they belong in D-I, and the win gets the team off to a good start.
"I want to be in every game this year, even though it is D-I," Backs said. "I know we have a shot at winning every game."
New SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton is as excited about the competition his team will face, and is interested to see how his players will react.
"We have good experience with the 10 upperclassmen," Burton said. "We have capable soccer players, that's the bottom line. Now we'll see if we can continue to get better and develop as a team.
The Cougars were also victorious Wednesday in an exhibition game at SIUE against Missouri Valley by a score of 7-0. Backs started the exhibition game and recorded a save in the shutout victory.
Burton said playing good all-around defense, winning individual battles, possessing the ball and playing like they practice are a few things the Cougars did well in the exhibition game and season opener that they need to continue throughout the season.
Humphrey said above all, the Cougars are out to make a name for themselves in D-I.
"We want to prove we belong here," Humphrey said.
The Cougars next game is against the Akron Zips at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Akron, Ohio.
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