?Roos Host IUPUI and Western Illinois Over Homecoming Weekend
9/29/2011 3:24:00 PM | Women's Soccer
This week, the 'Roos will open up Summit League play at home beginning with IUPUI on Friday at 4 p.m. and Western Illinois on Sunday at 1 p.m.
UMKC will look to improve from last season's 0-7-2 finish in conference action and earn their first two-game winning streak in school history against IUPUI.
Scouting the Opponent
IUPUI Jaguars (1-6-3 as of 9/30)
Like the 'Roos, IUPUI will open up conference play Friday night. Last season, the Jags finished seventh in the Summit League standings with a 4-5 league record and an 8-11 mark overall.
This season, IUPUI has notched its against Eastern Michigan on Aug. 28. Since then, the Jags have gone 0-3-3.
Players to Watch
In 10 games, nine started, senior forward Megan Hock leads her team in goals (4) and points (8). Earlier this season, Hock earned Summit League Offensive Player of the Week honors for her two-goal performance against Eastern Michigan. It was the fifth time in her career she's notched a conference offensive player of the week award.
Sophomore forward Taylor Cornwell has been just as good as Hock scoring, three goals in 10 games and sitting tied with Hock for the team-leader in points (8). She also has accumulated two assists on the season.
Head Coach
In his ninth season at the helm, Chris Johnson is a three-time Summit League Coach of the Year award winner. With a 61-73-12 record, Johnson is the program's all-time wins leader including a school-record 17 in 2009.
During the 2009 season, the Jags won their second-straight regular season co-conference championship and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
Western Illinois Leathernecks (6-3 as of 9/30)
In 2011, the Leathernecks have only played two games on their own turf, resulting in wins over St. Ambrose and Grand View.
Friday, Western Illinois will continue their road-heavy schedule as they open up Summit League play against South Dakota before traveling to Kansas City to face the 'Roos on Sunday.
Last season, the Leathernecks finished in a three-way tie for second place with North Dakota State and South Dakota State in the league standings.
Players to Watch
Freshman defender Katie Condon and junior midfielder/forward Miranda Graham are tied for the team-leader in goals (2). In addition, 12 different Leathernecks have scored one goal each for the season.
In the net, freshman keeper Victoria Kappel has saved 39 shots (.736) and accumulated a 1.56 goal-per-game average. In Week Five, she earned her first Defensive Player of the Week award after registering her fourth shutout of the season against Green Bay.
Head Coach
During his four-year tenure at Western Illinois, Tony Guinn holds a 42-25-10 overall record. In his first season, the team went a school-best 16-3-1, including 8-0-0 in Summit League play. Due to his early success, Guinn was named Coach-of-the-Year in 2007.
Last season, he led the Leathernecks to a 6-2-1 record in league play to earn an appearance in The Summit League Tournament. In the tournament, Western Illinois fell to North Dakota State in the championship round.
The Series
IUPUI: The 'Roos are 0-2 all-time against the Jaguars.
Western Illinois: The 'Roos are 0-2 all-time against the Leathernecks.
What to Watch for
Beware of Bare
Coming off a two-score game in a win over Nebraska-Omaha Mavs, sophomore forward Taylor Bare was named this week's Summit League's Offensive Player of the Week. She is currently second in the Summit League in goals scored (5) behind Oral Robert's Maria Grados (6).
'Roos Look to Improve in Summit League Play
In two years, the 'Roos have gone winless in league play. However, with the one-win IUPUI squad coming in Friday, UMKC will look to erase its league woes early with a won over the Jaguars. If the 'Roos do come out with the victory, it'll be their first two-game winning streak in school history.
"We're on the Road Again."
Sunday's game against Western Illinois will conclude a three-game home stand for UMKC. The 'Roos will then travel to face IPFW on Oct. 7 and head up to Oakland on Oct. 9.
Before last week's home game against Nebraska-Omaha, the 'Roos had a five-out-of-six game road stretch where they went 1-4-1.
**Note: Coach Cissell and the UMKC women's soccer team hosting a FREE youth clinic on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Durwood Soccer Stadium.
The clinic is FREE and open to the public in association with the UMKC Homecoming weekend. Registration is limited to boys and girls in the first grade to eighth grade.
Anyone interested can fill out the registration online at UMKCKangaroos.com. You can register up to six children at a time. If you wish to register for more than 6, feel free to fill out and submit more than one registration. All participants are asked to bring their own soccer ball.
By registering below you will also receive one free ticket for the UMKC men's soccer Homecoming match Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. as they take on Summit League rival, Oakland University. Participants will also receive one free ticket to the Sunday, Oct. 2 UMKC women's soccer match vs. Western Illinois at 1pm.
Additional tickets may be purchased online at UMKCKangaroos.com or by calling 816-235-2752.
If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Dickson at dicksonj@umkc.edu.
