Soccer Weekly Review: Both Teams Suffer Minor Setbacks After Rough Weekend

BY SCOTT MORRISON

After a surprising start to the 2007 season, the Lancers soccer program suffered a couple of minor setbacks after facing conference opponent Midland Lutheran University and non-conference challenger the University of Wisconsin Superior.

The men's team was beaten for the first time this season on Saturday after losing to Midland Lutheran 3-0. Midland Lutheran came into the game ranked second in their region.

The Lancers were unable to move the ball with much authority as they were shutout for the first team in the young season.

Midland Lutheran broke a 60 minute scoreless tie with a goal on a free kick from about 30 yards outside of the keeper’s box. They would later add another goal off a free kick, and finished by scoring the final goal to make the score 3-0.

“Obviously the first loss of the season is disappointing,” Lancer Coach Dan Hendricks said. “We know we can play at this team’s level but we were not able to play for 90 minutes.”

On Sunday, the Lancers (2-2-1) were unable to rebound as they were defeated 4-1 by the University of Wisconsin Superior.

Blain Williams knocked in the Lancer’s only goal on a corner kick to make the score 2-1. Wisconsin rebounded by adding two goals and placing the game securely out of reach.

“It was nice that Blain scored that goal from the corner. We had been working on our set pieces all week and it paid off,” Hendricks said. “Unfortunately we were unable to capitalize to a further degree.”

The Lancers found themselves breathing hard and struggling to get up and down the field as they had just played their previous game the day before.

“We had a little letdown against UW-Superior. Two games in two days is very tough on the players,” Hendricks added.

On the girls’ side, the Lancers (2-3) were equally unsuccessful in their attempt to improve on their solid start. They dropped their games against Midland and UW-Superior 6-1 and 4-1 respectively.

In their game against Midland, the Lancers learned that their goal keeper Nickie O’ Day would be out for the season due to a rib injury.

Midland was able to add insult to injury as they compounded six goals against the Lancer defense. Leann Franzel scored her team’s only goal as the Lancers narrowly avoided the shutout.

Against UW-Superior, the Lancers had another difficult game as they were overcome after a sloppy performance.

Lauren Donlin scored her team’s only goal giving her seven on the season.

“Having to replace our goaltender has been no easy task,” Hendricks said. “We took out our best defender to be our goalie. This has not worked out extremely well as opposing teams had been able to take advantage of the increased amount of opportunities that we have given them.”

“Everyone is going to have to work harder in practice and in games to make up for the loss,” Hendricks said. “We have to work on little things or we will not be able to be successful.”

Both the men and women will resume play this week as they square off against Dana College and Buena Vista University on Saturday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23.