September 11, 2007

Conference-play begins this week in soccer and volleyball with the biggest match possibly being the volleyball opener on Tuesday between Principia and Webster, the last two Conference Champions and the preseason Conference favorites.  Webster, led by 2006 Newcomer of the Year Jackie Schall, picked-up four first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll, and hosts 2006 Player of the Year Christina Speer and Principia, which received the other three first-place votes.

Saturday marks the first of five weekend tri-matches where two SLIAC teams each host three other schools and the teams play two Conference matches.  Webster will host Blackburn, Eureka and Principia while Lincoln Christian hosts Fontbonne, Greenville and Maryville.

The week that was in women’s soccer was a historical one for Eureka as the school picked-up its first two intercollegiate wins with victories over Rockford (5-4) and Knox (7-1) to even its season record at 2-2.  KT Zapushek notched the first goal in program history and recorded the first hat trick in the Rockford match.  Kate Huizinga promptly took the school single game scoring record away with a four-goal performance against Knox.

Two Conference matches on Wednesday and a full slate on Saturday along with Principia’s non-Conference match with #6-Washington (Mo.) on Tuesday highlights the week ahead in women’s soccer.

On the men’s side, Principia remained undefeated (3-0) with a 2-1 win over Illinois Wesleyan and is off to its best start in seven years.  Blackburn freshman Ahmedt Haji continued his impressive start to his collegiate career, tallying two goals and two assists in two matches during the week, giving him five goals and two assists in three matches on the season.

Blackburn, Webster and Lincoln Christian began their Conference seasons last week and all other teams begin Conference action during the coming week.  In non-Conference play, Principia hosts #24-Washington (Mo.) on Tuesday as part of a doubleheader with the women’s teams. 

Principia’s Peter Swank (26:47) and Greenville’s Jennifer Sutton (20:33) each finished 19th in their respective races at Bradley University.  Greenville’s Rodney Oyler (35th, 27:32) and Principia’s Dolly Sommer (59th, 22:53) were their team’s top men’s and women’s finisher in the 126-runner men’s race and 103-runner women’s race.

Maryville’s Erin McEnaney (41st, 23:32.4) and Tyler Yeargains (56th, 18.11.9) were the Saints top finishers at the 5K women’s and 6K men’s UM-Rolla Invitational.

Maryville hosts the Maryville Cross Country Classic on Saturday with runners from Blackburn, Eureka, Fontbonne and Webster expected to join the host in the field.  Greenville will also compete this weekend, at the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships hosted by Illinois State on Friday.