Elmhurst College Women's Soccer Team Off to 5-1 Start

Although the Elmhurst College women's soccer team finished the 2009 season with a 10-7 overall record, they placed fifth (3-4 record) in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) standings for the fifth time in six years. 

In the 2010 CCIW preseason vote, the league's coaches picked the Bluejays to again finish in fifth place, just one point behind four-place finisher Millikin University. 

However, the 'Jays have sprinted out of the gate this year against non-conference opponents, winning five of their first six games, four of which they held the opposition scoreless. The next challenge will be to continue that momentum against foes from the CCIW.

"Because we are not scoring a lot of goals, we have needed every shutout that we have got," said Paul Webster, women's soccer coach. "It just shows that we are a lot better defensively.  I think the more telling statistic is just how few shots on goal we are allowing. It helps the confidence of everybody." 

The 'Jays, who have score 10 goals on 91 shot attempts, have only allowed opponents two goals from 37 shot attempts. 

It also helps that EC senior goalkeeper Allison Korbel has a .909 save percentage. 

"I have three years of experience with games and practices under my belt," said Korbel. "But, I give a ton of credit to my team. I feel really comfortable in goal with our defense, which really helps me play with confidence. They definitely help me in tough situations in front of the goal."

The 'Jays fast start has not gone unnoticed. The latest NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) Central Region poll currently ranked the 'Jays 10th. 

"It is always nice to be recognized."  Webster said.  "It doesn't carry any weight for NCAA selection purposes [however]. The committee is made up of coaches from the region, so that means people think we are pretty good. We feel we can be really good.  We haven't played our best soccer yet. [But] we have gotten good results against pretty good teams."

The 'Jays have shut out their opponents in their last three games, including a 3-0 win over Saint  Mary's College on Sept. 15. 

The 'Jays controlled the game, outshooting Saint Mary's 28-6, but it was not until sophomore Amy Baschen put away a rebound shot by senior Erin Baschen that the 'Jays finally took the lead. 

Later, Erin Baschen scored off a free kick to give the 'Jays a 2-0 lead. 

The 'Jays third goal came off a play where junior defender Stephanie Thomson carried the ball deep into St. Mary's territory.  Thomson then crossed a pass to junior Heather De Moss, who centered the ball to senior Lindsay Carlson, who found the back of the net.    

"We moved the ball around the way our formation is set up to do," Carlson said. "We got the ball out wide for a good service and I just happened to be there to put it in the net off the cross. It's great when things go the way you practice."

The 'Jays have been enjoying a long homestand, which began on Sept. 8. 

"Traveling is hard," said Webster. "Playing at home is a huge advantage. Playing a lot of home games in a row will hopefully give us a lot of momentum because we like playing at home." 

Home field advantage has proven to be huge for the 'Jays.  So far all of their shutouts have come at home. 

The 'Jays not only are enjoying the outcome of the games but are enjoying not having to take a long bus ride to the game. 

"Having games at home is great," said senior Valerie Wesley.  "The bus rides can be brutal, so not having to be in a bus can really help the morale of the team. Along with being familiar with the field, it's rejuvenating to have fans out on the field cheering you on when you are so tired you feel like collapsing."

The 'Jays have one more non-conference match before they begin CCIW play. 

"We just need to keep working hard," Thomson said. "We're working out the small kinks and practicing as hard as we play."

The 'Jays will host Adrian College at Langhorst Field on Sept. 19 at 1 p.m.