 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
|||||
 |
2003-04 Season Summary |
||||
|
Wildcats
End HC's Season
The Foresters traveled to Indiana
Wesleyan University for first round MCC Tournament action and
fell 6-1 to the #1-seeded Wildcats. HC got off to a bad
start, giving up a goal in just the 4th minute of play, but Kara
Fultz responded with the equalizer five minutes later with a
great run through the IWU defense. The Wildcats wasted no
time in responding to retake the lead just a minute later.
IWU then turned up the pressure and scored two more goals to
take a 4-1 halftime lead. In the second half, Ashley
Palmer, who had already scored two Wildcat goals, quickly picked
up her third just two minutes in and added a fourth in the 62nd
minute to complete the scoring and bring the Foresters' season
to an end. "IWU is ranked 14th in the country, so we
knew it was going to be tough," said Coach Datema.
"We were hoping we could contain Ashley Palmer, but she
played an outstanding game. I'm proud of the fact that we kept
working hard though. I've especially appreciated how
much seniors Annie Zeller and Katie Chafin have contributed
to our program during their years at Huntington. We will miss
them next year." The women conclude their season with
a 4-14 record.
Marian
Shuts Out HC
The Foresters
traveled to Marian College for their regular
season finale and were shut out 3-0 by the
Knights. HC came out flat and Marian
took advantage in just the 10th minute for a
1-0 lead. The Foresters continued to
struggle throughout the half while the Knights
added a second goal to take a 2-0 halftime
lead. The second half was more of the same
with HC conceding a third goal to give
Marian the 3-0 victory. "We played
poorly today and seemed to have trouble
finding our touch," said Coach Datema.
"We kept shooting ourselves in the foot.
It's not the way we wanted to end the
regular season and prepare for the tournament,
but we have a week to work on it."
The women conclude the regular season with a
4-13 record overall and an 0-7 record in
conference play. HC will be the #8
seed in the MCC tournament and will travel to
Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday, November
1st to take on the Wildcats in first round
action.
Fultz
Completes Hat-trick
On Monday Kara Fultz
showed up for practice too sick to practice. On
Tuesday she recorded a hat-trick to lift the
Foresters to a 3-1 victory over Franklin
College. Fultz started the scoring in the
16th minute off of an assist from Mindy Sincler.
Just seven minutes later she added a second off
another assist from Sincler. Franklin got
one back in the 26th minute when the wind played
havoc with a high ball in the box.
Huntington continued to press for more goals in
the second half and Fultz finally hooked up with
Sincler again for the final goal of the game in
the 82nd minute. "That's the second
game in a row that we have played extremely well
but have not been able to finish," said
Coach Datema. "We had 18 shots on
goal to Franklin's 3, so we really had some good
opportunities today. Obviously Kara was on
her game today. She has the potential to
dominate a game like that every time she steps
on the field." The wins gives the
women a 4-12 record on the season.
Foresters
Handle St. Mary's of the Woods
The Foresters played
an aggressive offensive game and came up with
three goals to beat the Pomeroys from St. Mary's
of the Woods 3-1. HC got on the board in the
14th minute when Kristyn Bollig pushed a pass
through the Pomeroy defense to Mindy Sincler who
slotted it home. The Pomeroys responded just four
minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. After
several good scoring chances the Foresters finally
got back in front when Whitney Wooden sent a long
pass through to Christi Shook who finished from
close range. Beth Padilla completed the scoring in
the 43rd minute when the St. Mary's keeper failed
to clear an HC corner kick. Padilla took the
first time chance to put the Foresters up 3-1. HC
had finished with 20 shots on goal for the game.
"I was very pleased with how aggressive we
went to goal today'" said Coach Datema.
"We've been working on that, but now we need
to work on our finishing." With the
win, the women improve to 3-12 on the season.
Wildcats
Blank HC
The NAIA 17th-ranked
Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University scored two
goals in each half and shutdown the Forester offense
to pick up the 4-0 win. IWU pressured from the
start and got on the board with two quick goals in
the 26th and 27th minute. The Wildcats added a
third goal just three minutes into the second half.
The Foresters tried to battle back mounting an
attack of their own, but IWU countered with a
fourth goal at the 78th minute mark. HC looked
to get on the board with just under 10 minutes
remaining when Kara Fultz was brought down in the
box. But the Wildcat keeper saved the penalty kick
from Mindy Sincler to preserve the shutout.
"We made a few costly mistakes, but overall we
competed well today," said Coach Datema.
"Kristyn Bollig had an exceptionally good game
in the midfield." With the loss, the
Foresters drop to 2-12 on the season and 0-6 in
conference play.
Bethel
Shuts Out HC
Bethel freshmen Lisa
Franke came up with a hat trick to lead the Pilots to
the 3-0 win over HC. Franke got things going
with a goal in the 26th minute. Ten minutes later, she
got loose again and found the back of the net from 25
yards out. Meanwhile, the Foresters came close
on several occasions but just couldn't finish.
In the second half it was more of the same from the
Foresters as they failed to take advantage of
opportunities. Their luck seemed to change as Kara
Fultz fired a powerful shot at goal only to have
Michelle Heck come up with a brilliant save for the
Pilots. Franke then netted her third goal when
she took the ball at midfield, dribbled past two
defenders and scored from close range.
"This sounds crazy but I thought we played well
today," said Coach Datema. "We were
unlucky not to get a couple of goals. We also
knew that their entire offense revolved around Franke,
but we couldn't stop her. She kind of lulls you
to sleep and then shows up in dangerous
situations." The loss drops the women to
2-11 on the season and 0-5 in the MCC.
Goshen
Nips HC
Goshen College's goal in the
11th minute was all it needed to knock off the Foresters
1-0. After the Maple Leafs took the lead, the two
teams battled for the rest of the half with neither team
able to tally another goal. In the second half HC came
out with a little more determination, but the Goshen
defense kept their composure and kept the Foresters at
bay. "We stepped it up in the second half but we
just couldn't find a goal," said Coach Datema.
"We need some of our players to be more
opportunistic up front." The loss drops the
women to 2-10 on the season and 0-4 in the MCC.
Foresters
Rout Davenport
Playing before a Homecoming
crowd, the Foresters put on a scoring clinic, netting four
goals in each half to rout Davenport University 8-0.
Seven different players contributed to the scoring effort
for HC. Mindy Sincler and Kara Fultz each had two
goals to lead the team in scoring. Megan Heyboer added a
goal and three assists. Kristyn Bollig had one goal
and one assist, Ashley Gonterman and Joy Bamford each
scored a goal, and Laura Straley recorded one assist.
"Davenport is just starting their program, so its
tough for them, said Coach Datema. "I remember
when we started and I know what it is like. Our
players played well today. Sometimes its easy to let down
in a game like this but I thought we did a good job of
taking care of business." With the win, the
women are now 2-9 on the season.
Manchester
Downs HC
A slow start gave the Manchester
College Spartans the edge they needed to down HC 3-1.
Although the Foresters couldn't get anything going early,
they managed to hang in the game until Manchester broke
through in the 28th minute. The Spartans kept up the
pressure and were rewarded with a second goal at the 33rd
minute mark. The second half was a scoreless battle until HC
gave up an own goal in the 83rd minute. The Foresters
finally got on the board when Kara Fultz scored a minute
later off an assist from Christi Shook. HC kept up the
pressure, but time ran out on the rally effort. We had
a let down today, but I think it will be something we
will remember and not let happen again," said Coach
Datema. The Foresters are now 1-9 on the season.
Foresters
Get First Win
The Foresters recorded their first
win of the season in dramatic fashion with a goal in sudden
death overtime to earn the 1-0 victory over Indiana Tech.
The Warriors had the better play in the first half and really
turned up the heat in the second, but Forester keeper, Robyn
Althoff, was up for the challenge. Althoff finished
with 12 saves and gobbled up numerous crosses in front of her
goal to help send the game into overtime and preserve the
shutout. In the extra period, the Warriors continued to press,
but it was Christi Shook who got loose down the left side in
the 9th minute. As the defenders converged, Shook fired a
cross to a wide open Mindy Sincler. Sincler fired a shot from
18 yards that beat the Indiana Tech keeper for the win.
"When Robyn is focused she can be very good," said
Coach Datema. "I told her during warm-ups that I
thought she looked good today. Our defense also played
well." With the win, HC moves to 1-8 on the year.
Foresters
Battle Taylor
The Foresters put together their
best effort of the season, but fell short, losing 2-1 to
Taylor University. Although the Trojans controlled much
of the game, HC was able to capitalize on it's only shot on
goal of the half to take a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute.
Kristyn Bollig sent a cross into the box from the left wing to
Christi Shook who managed to get off an awkward shot. Taylor's
keeper deflected the shot but Kara Fultz was there to put home
the rebound. The Trojans responded with a goal just six
minutes later to knot the score at the half. Taylor
continued to press in the second half and got the game-winner
on a free kick just outside the penalty box in the 60th
minute. "I was pleased with the way we played
today, but we still have room for improvement, said Coach
Datema. "The defense was much more consistent and Robyn
Althoff was solid in goal." The women are now 0-8
on the season and 0-3 in conference play.
Cougars
Rout HC
An injury-ridden Forester squad
was no match for the University of St. Francis as the Cougars
posted the 7-0 rout. The Foresters got off to a bad
start when right back, Amber Hirschy, had her nose bloodied
and had to leave the game. USF took advantage and scored two
quick goals in the third and fifth minute before HC could
adjust to being a player short. The Cougars took advantage on
a couple Forester miscues and netted two additional goals
before the half. St. Francis continued to play solid
defense and added three more second half goals to finish the
scoring. "We don't have much depth in the back so when
Amber got hurt I had to play a man short," said Coach
Datema. "If I had taken her out of the game she
wouldn't have been able to return until the second half. We
just didn't adjust quickly enough." HC falls to 0-7
on the season and 0-2 in the MCC.
Grace
Pounds Foresters
Grace College put the Foresters in
a hole early on their way to a 7-2 pounding. The Lancers
scored in just the fourth minute of play and went on to add
two more before halftime. HC got off to a good start in the
second half when Mindy Sincler scored off a free kick just two
minutes into the half, but Grace added two more goals to
extend their lead. Kara Fultz scored off an assist from
Sincler but the Foresters couldn't shut down the Grace attack
and allowed two more goals to complete the scoring. "This
was a frustrating game because our defense made mistakes
they should not be making at this level," said Coach
Datema. "We have faced several other teams this
year that have stronger attacks but we couldn't do anything
right on defense today. A pounding like this is hard to
swallow." The loss drops Huntington to 0-6 overall
and 0-1 in the conference.
Foresters
Blanked by Cornerstone
A lackluster performance against a
talented opponent led to HC's most lopsided loss of the season,
a 6-0 defeat to Cornerstone University. The Golden Eagles
dominated the game scoring three goals in each half.
Meanwhile the Foresters were unable to mount very much of an
attack of its own allowing the Cornerstone defense an easy game.
"I was very disappointed in the way we played today,"
said Coach Datema. "This was a step backward.
It's not just that we lost we didn't even compete very well.
We must develop a lot more passion and determination before we
begin conference play." The loss drops HC to 0-5 on
the season.
Injuries
Slow Foresters
Injuries became too big of a hurdle
for the Foresters to overcome in their battle with Anderson
University as they fell 2-0. After a scoreless half, the Ravens
finally broke through in the ninth minute of the second half off a
corner kick. HC pressed for the equalizer but Anderson countered
in the 41st minute to seal the victory. Freshmen keeper, Robyn
Althoff, had 12 saves in goal for the Foresters. "This has
been a tough week for us health wise," said Coach Datema.
"We've lost several players to injury this week and we just
ran out of healthy players in this game. In spite of the injury
problems this was by far the best game we have played all year. We
were able to control the ball much better than in the past and we
hope to build on that." The loss drops the Foresters to
0-4 on the season.
Foresters
Fall to TCC
For their third straight match, the
Foresters gave up a handful of goals to an opponent, losing 5-0 to
the Lady Trolls of Trinity Christian College. Trinity got on
the board early scoring in just the second minute of the game, and
went on to add three more goals before half time for a 4-0 lead.
While HC played a little better in the second half, they still
couldn't find the back of the net and the Lady Trolls were able to
score one more goal in the 33rd minute to complete the scoring.
" We gave up too many easy goals, but I think we are
improving, said Coach Datema. "We actually were able to
generate a few more scoring opportunities than in the last few
games, but we have a lot of work to do on our possession game. We
tried to concentrate on that in the second half and it helped, but
we need to be able to maintain possession consistently throughout
the game."
ONU
Punishes Foresters
The women's soccer team gave up another
five goals against just one of its own in their second match of the
season. This time it was Olivet Nazarene University who punished the
Foresters. Despite being outplayed in the first half, HC held the
Tigers scoreless until just 30 seconds remained in the half. In the
second half, ONU's superior fitness began to show through as they
added four more goals to seal the win. Kara Fultz scored the lone goal
for the Foresters off of an assist by Whitney Wooden. "We
did play better today than we did last Saturday but we still have a
long way to go," said Coach Datema. "We hung in there
until they scored, but then we seemed to lose confidence. The first
half of our schedule is tough so we will just have to keep improving.
We hope these games will give us the experience and confidence
that we will need later on." The loss drops the women to
0-2 on the season.
Foresters
Blanked By Cougars
The Foresters traveled to Spring Arbor
University for their season opener and were shut out 5-0.
The Cougars scored two first half goals and followed it up with three
more in the second half. "Spring Arbor completely dominated
us all over the field today," said Coach Tom Datema. I was
disappointed that we didn't seem to have the heart to compete today.
We just let them do whatever they wanted. We will need a complete
change in our mental approach to the game if we expect to stay on the
field with Olivet Nazarene University on Tuesday. Fortunately, I think
most of our players know what they need to do and they know they
are capable of stepping up to the challenge."
|
||||
| Contact Us | 2303 College Avenue Huntington, IN 46750 | 1.800.642.6493 | Copyright 2005 |
|||||