Women's Soccer Falls In First Round Of NCAA Tournament
Nov. 12, 2003
The Lakeland College Women's Soccer team fell 4-0 to Washington University Wednesday evening in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The loss ended the Muskie's season with a 11-11 overall record, while Washington advances to second round action on Friday at Wheaton College. This was Lakeland's first NCAA tournament appearance while it was the fourth overall for Washington, who is currently ranked 7th in the Nation.

Washington University (14-2-3) out shot Lakeland 13-0 in the first half, but managed to only get one by Muskie goalie Alli Weiss. In the 39th minute, sophomore Kelly Jung helped set up the game-winning goal for the Bears when her shot was stopped by Weiss. Freshman Talia Bucci corralled the rebound and pushed it into the back of the net after a scramble in front of the net.

The Muskies battled a 20-25 mph wind and a fast field in the first half and played a sound tactical game as they looked to counter. The Muskies had some great chances in the first half and it looked like an Amanda Smith breakaway would put them ahead 1-0, but a last second tackle from a Bear defender thwarted the goal scoring opportunity.

The Bears quickly got things going in the second half when freshman Sara Schroeder scored 12 seconds into play after her and senior Kim Raess went straight down the field off the restart past the Lakeland defense. The goal for Schroeder was blasted into the upper 90 of the goal to beat a diving Weiss.

The early second goal seemed to rattle the Muskies for a time as they could not take advantage of the wind early in the 2nd half.

Senior midfielder Meghan Wudtke almost put the Muskies on the board in the 50th minute as she laced a shot from 25 yards that was kept out by an acrobatic tip save by Bears goalkeeper Charlotte Felber. A few minutes later Amanda Smith beat two Bears defenders and sent a perfect cross that sailed across the Bears goal mouth, but was just out of the reach of senior forward Amy Freier.

The Bears Kim Raess (56th minute) and junior Kara Karnes (59th minute) added goals three minutes apart in the second half as Washington U. moved ahead 4-0.

Freshman goalkeeper Alli Weiss tallied 10 saves on the day for Lakeland including 9 in the first half.

"I have never been more proud of this group of girls. They battled the entire game just as they had all season. That first half was incredible. We did everything right, but get a goal. To play on the road against a highly ranked opponent and battle the elements at the same time was amazing. I can't wait to do it again next year, "stated Lakeland coach Marc Colwell.

Washington University advances to play 16th-ranked Wheaton College on Friday at 11am in the second round in Wheaton, Ill. The winner advances to the regional championship, which is slated for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Wheaton.