Sport in world

Westerwinds look to lock up Summit League

November 24, 2007 on 8:50 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois women’s soccer team looks to lock up The Summit League regular season title as it travels to Centenary Friday, Nov. 2, and to Oral Roberts Sunday, Nov. 4.

The Westerwinds (13-2-1, 6-0-0 The Summit League) have guaranteed themselves at least a share of the regular season conference title, but with at least a tie in one of their two final regular season games, will clinch the regular season title outright. It would be the first regular season conference championship in the programs’ 11-year history.

About Centenary
The Ladies own a 4-10-1 record on the season with a 0-4-1 mark in The Summit League. Centenary’s tie came on Oct. 26 when they battled South Dakota State to a 0-0 draw.

The Ladies’ offense is lead by a pair of sophomores in Brittany O’Neal and Stefani Robbs. O’Neal leads the offense in all major offensive categories with six goals, three assists, and 15 points. She is second in the conference in shots (55) behind Oakland’s Kristi Tomczyk. Robbs is second to O’Neal in goals (4) and points (8).

The last line of defense for Centenary is represented by senior goalkeeper Ali Hilsher. Hilsher has played over 1,282 minutes in net for the Ladies’ and has given up 21 goals this season. She has made 75 saves and has had two shutouts, coming against Grambling State and South Dakota State.

Against the Ladies
Western Illinois is tied with Centenary 2-2-0 in the all-time series. The Westerwinds are currently on a two-game winning streak, defeating the Ladies in 2005 (5-1) and in their last meeting, a 6-0 victory in 2006.

About Oral Roberts
The Golden Eagles are currently 8-7-3 with a 2-2-3 Summit League record. They have posted conference wins over Centenary (1-0) and IPFW (5-0) and posted ties against Southern Utah (2-2) and South Dakota State (0-0).

Oral Roberts is lead by freshman Shakira Duncan. Duncan’s 10 goals and 21 points not only leads the team, but also leads The Summit League in both categories. Senior Emily Gagnon and sophomore Tara Lomas lead the Golden Eagles in assists with four a piece.

Senior keeper Stef Gurley has spent the majority of time for the Golden Eagles in net, only allowing 23 goals in over 1,600 minutes. Her 119 saves are second most in the conference and her eight shutouts are tops in the conference.

Against the Golden Eagles
The Westerwinds trail the all-time series against Oral Roberts 2-8-0. Western Illinois won the previous meeting in 2006, 2-0, behind first-half goals from Bess Rapp (Lincoln, Neb./Southeast) and Misako Inaba (Kashiwa, Japan/Yachiyoshoin). Samantha Clark had two saves in the shutout.

On the NCAA Leaderboard
While the Westerwinds continue to win games, they also remain on the NCAA leaderboard. Western is fourth in the nation for won-lost-tied percentage (.844), ranks 37th in goals-against average (.729), and 40th in save percentage (.846). The offense is also getting recognition, being ranked 63rd in scoring offense, averaging 1.88 goals per game.

Sophomore Meghan Tyk (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) is ranked ninth in save percentage (.889) and her .535 goals-against average has ranked 13th in the nation.

Originaly from Source