Women's Soccer 2010-11
AGOALSCORING STILL POSES A CHALLENGE FOR BLAZERS
Ruth Shantz scored two goals for Providence on a windy Saturday afternoon on way to a 4-0 victory for the Freemen over the CMU women’s soccer team. The Blazers came into the game with great confidence and with high expectations, but that was shattered quickly when the Freemen went ahead on their first attack. It was only seconds after the kick-off that Amanda Franz made the game an uphill climb for CMU, tapping a goal past Kara Reimer for a 1-0 lead. “It certainly was not the way you want to start a game,” said CMU head coach Anika Den Brok. “It really damaged our confidence and made us question ourselves for the rest of the half.”Moments later, controversy arose when Providence was awarded a penalty shot for an inadvertent hand-ball in the 18-yard box. Shantz stepped to the spot and kicked in her first of two goals on the game to put the Freemen two goals ahead in the eleventh minute. The Freemen continued to dominate the first-half on possession. No sooner had the Blazers intercepted a pass than they found themselves chasing Providence for a chance to keep the ball long enough to create a scoring chance.
The second half saw the Freemen put their stamp on the victory and second place in the final standings. Goals by Shantz and Annemarie Kaethler highlighted the final forty-five minutes. “The women played well at times this game,” said Den Brok, “They really wanted to win. We just couldn’t get anything going and we had a difficult time creating any chances to score. It is something that we will try to address before we play them next weekend.”
Providence closed their season on Sunday afternoon, losing by a ten-goal margin to the University of Winnipeg who earned a first-round bye with the win. CMU will meet Providence in the conference semi-final on Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock in Otterburne.
Date October 20, 2010
Big Challenge for Blazers
Experience and quality helped the University of Winnipeg defeat CMU in MCAC women's soccer action on Saturday afternoon. Playing in front of a vocal home crowd, the Blazers found themselves in tough against the front-running Wesmen. Winnipeg jumped into the lead 8 minutes into the match when Josee Gregoire scored her first of three goals, lofting a ball over CMU goalkeeper Esther Klassen. CMU did find opportunities going forward in the first half, but lacked polish when they got in close to goal. Maraleigh Short, Mihaela Helgason and Nathalie Vander Zaag, relentlessly pursued a goal for CMU, but none managed to test Meaghan Wilford in the opening half. The Wesmen led 6-0 at the half.Not much changed in the second half of play. Midfielder Sheri Hince led the way for the Wesmen in the second half, scoring three of her four goals in the final 45 minutes. Despite the wide margin of victory for the University of Winnipeg, CMU defenders Rianna Isaak, Chrissy Scheerer, Sam Blatz and Heather Thornton were tireless. "Our dedication to fitness during the last two weeks has shown today," stated CMU coach Anika den Brok. "We are really improving and the score may not indicate that, but the more opportunity we have to play and train together, the better we look on the field when we play. I am really proud of all of them today."
Other scorers for Winnipeg were Chantal Powlesland with three goals, and Stephanee Ophey, Nikki Tamoto, Anastasia Reimer and Sera Trunzo each with one in the 14-0 win.
Date October 2, 2010
CMU Falls 2-1 at Providence in 2009 Championship Rematch
Two goals by Providence striker Ruth Maddever gave the Lady Freemen a narrow 2-1 victory over CMU in Sunday afternoon MCAC women's soccer action. The first chance of the game came 17 minutes in when Amanda Franz shot blazed wide of the CMU goal. In minute 21, Maddever opened the scoring for Providence. The powerful third-year pounded a right-footed effort over first-year goalkeeper Kara Reimer.Madisson Stott, a first-year goalkeeper kept the Lady Freemen ahead in the 29th minute when CMU's Maraleigh Short got behind the Providence defense and nearly drew the Blazers level. CMU would get their equalizer before the half-time whistle. First-year winger, Nathalie Vander Zaag received a cross in the penalty area in minute 39, stepped around a defender and slotted the ball past Stott to make the score 1-1.
Providence carried the majority of the possession after the restart. Only the confident play of Reimer in the CMU goal kept the two teams even on goals. After failing to capitalize on numerous opportunities to go ahead, in the 80th minute Maddever dribbled through the CMU defense, beat Reimer and claimed victory for the Lady Freemen.
"I was please with our first-half effort," said new CMU coach Anika Den Brok, "we have some work to do on our fitness, but overall we showed signs of improvement."
CMU's next action is scheduled for next Saturday afternoon with they host the University of Winnipeg (1-0).
Date September 26, 2010
CMU Names New Women's Soccer Head Coach
CMU Athletics is proud to introduce Anika Den Brok as the new head coach of the women's soccer team for 2010. "For as long as I have known Anika, she has always had an obvious passion for soccer" said CMU Director of Athletics, Russell Willms. "I am very pleased to have Anika's commitment and I know that she will create a positive atmosphere for our team." Den Brok played most of her club soccer locally in the Winnipeg Women's Soccer League, where she has experience playing at every level. This summer, she is playing with Top Totties in the 2nd division. Collegiately, Den Brok was one of the original members of the Providence College women's soccer team in 2002, when women's college soccer first kicked-off in Manitoba.
"I am really excited for the opportunity to start coaching" says Den Brok. "I can't wait to meet the girls and get the season started." Anika is a native of Yorkton, Saskatchewan and works as a palliative-care nurse.
Date August 16, 2010